Munshi Siddique Ahmad

Munshi Siddique Ahmad (Bengali: মুন্সী সিদ্দিক আহমদ;[2] c. 1924 – 19 October 2011) was a Bangladeshi rice scientist. He served as the associate director of Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI).[3] He developed BRRI Shail (BR4), which was responsible for increasing rice production – from 8 million tons in 1965 to 20 million tons in 1975. In 1997, he earned Independence Day Award in the science and technology category from the Government of Bangladesh.[4]

Munshi Siddique Ahmad
Born
Munshi Siddique Ahmad

c. 1924
Died (aged 87)[1]
NationalityBangladeshi
EducationPh.D.
Alma materUniversity of Dhaka
Texas A&M University
Scientific career
FieldsGenetics and plant breeding
InstitutionsBRRI

Education

Ahmad passed ISc in the second division from Government Rajendra College in Faridpur District in 1946. He then moved to Dhaka and got admitted into The Bengle Agricultural Institute (Present Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University) under the University of Dhaka.[1] He graduated from the college in 1949, and completed his masters in agriculture from the University of Dhaka in crop botany in 1956. In 1968, he earned his Ph.D. degree in genetics and plant breeding from Texas A&M University.[1]

Career

Ahmad served as the head of the breeding division at BRRI. He developed more than 30 new varieties of HYV (high-yielding varieties) rice — BR3, BR4, BR10, and BR11.[1]

Awards
  • Kazi Mahbubullah Trust Gold Medal
  • Independence Day Award (1997)
  • Begum Jebunsessa and Kazi Mahbubullah Trust Award (1986)
  • Bangabandhu Award (1974)

In 1969, Ahmad was awarded the Tamgha-e-Pakistan but he renounced it in March 1971, during the non-cooperation movement against the-then Government of Pakistan. Besides, under his leadership, the breeding division of BRRI received the President's Award in 1977 and the FAO Bronze Plaque in 1980.[1]

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References
  1. Munshi Faiz Ahmad (October 22, 2014). "The accidental scientist who changed Bangladesh". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved July 21, 2017.
  2. ধানবিজ্ঞানী মুন্সী সিদ্দিক আহমদ আর নেই. banglanews24.com. 20 October 2011. Retrieved 6 August 2017.
  3. "Obituary". The Daily Star. October 21, 2017. Retrieved July 21, 2017.
  4. "Independence Day Award" (PDF). Government of Bangladesh. Retrieved July 21, 2017.
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