Dr. Arvind Kumar is a distinguished agricultural scientist and globally recognized expert in crop improvement, plant breeding, and genomics. He currently serves as Deputy Director General – Research at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), where he leads strategic initiatives focused on food security, climate resilience, and sustainable agricultural productivity across Asia and Africa. He has previously held key leadership roles, including Director of the IRRI South Asia Regional Centre.
Dr. Kumar has made significant contributions to global crop improvement programmes, particularly in rice and dryland agriculture, with over 60 improved crop varieties developed worldwide. He is internationally known for his pioneering work in plant breeding and molecular genomics, including the identification of key genetic markers such as qDTY1.1 and qDTY12.1 for drought tolerance. His research bridges advanced genomic science with field-level applications, enabling farmers to maintain productivity under challenging climatic conditions.
A prolific researcher, Dr. Kumar has authored over 160 scientific publications and contributed to major advancements in genomic-assisted breeding. He is a recipient of the Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Award and a Fellow of premier scientific academies including NAAS and INSA. Through his continued involvement in global policy and advisory platforms, he plays a vital role in advancing climate-resilient agriculture and strengthening sustainable farming systems worldwide.
Kaveri University was established as per the Telangana Private Universities (Establishment & Regulation) Act, 2018 under section 3.
