B. H. Katarki

Bhimareddy Hanumareddy Katarki, is an Indian agricultural scientist specializing in cotton. During the 1970s, he was inspired by the success of Hybrid-4, Cotton by Dr. C. T. Patel, of Surat Research Station. Dr. Katarki also made a groundbreaking discovery of Varalaxmi, and DCH-32 Cotton varieties, at the Dharwad Agricultural University (Karnataka).

Childhood and Education

Shri. Katarki, was born in Karnataka, on the 3 January 1924. Completed BSc(Agri.) 1945 Bombay); BSc(Agri.) 1963(IARI, New Delhi) and D. Sc. (Karnataka, Dharwad) 1975.

Teacher and Researcher

Served in various capacities:

• Department of Agriculture, (1954–1965)
• University of Agricultural Sciences, at Bangalore, and Dharwad from, 1965-1983.
• Post graduate teacher and Zonal Coordinator of South Zone from 1980-1983.
• member of ISCI, and R & D Sub-Committees, at Bombay, from 1980-82.

Professional affiliations

• Fellow of the Indian Society of Genetic and Plant Breeding.
• Member of Indian Society of Cotton Improvement.(ISCI )
• Member of Scientific Panel for Plant Breeding ICAR, New Delhi from 1979-1983.
• Member of Governing Board of Karnataka State Seed Certification Agency from 1981-1983.
• Member of the Central State Farm Advisory Committee, in Karnataka, from 1979–81
• Life member of Institute for Studies on Agriculture and Rural Development Dharwad, since 1982.

Achievements

• Identified and released Extra long staple specific Tetra Ploid Cotton- Varalaxmi, in the year 1972.
• DCH-32 in the year 1981, for Commercial Production in Southern and Central Cotton Belts of India- Capable of Spinning up to 80s and 90s counts.
• DS-56 and DS-59 (in G. hirsutum L), DB-3-12 (G.herbacium L), in the year 1982 for rain- fed fields.

Honours

• In 1965 and 1984, The Gold medal from the Government of Karnataka.
• In 1972, Citation from the UAS, Bangalore.
• In 1974, Honour from The Karnataka State Farmers' Forum.
• In 1976, ICAR Gold medal.
• In 1976, National tonnage club of farmers.
• In 1976, The Indian Merchant Chambers Award.
• In 1977 Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
• In 1981, Vasvik Industrial Research Award for outstanding achievements in the field of Agricultural Science and Technology.^[1]
• In 2007, ISCI, Mumbai's Hon. Fellowship Award, in appreciation of his valuable contribution towards improving the Production and Quality of Interspecific Hybrid cottons in India.
• EICA, UAS Alumni Association Bangalore, Andhra Pradesh State level Seed Growers, Merchants and Nurserymen Association.
• In 2004, Lifetime achievement Award by UAS Dharwad, Karnataka State.

References

• Indian Society for Cotton Improvement Awards, June 16, 2007.
• Laxmivenkatesh, Holalkere Rangarao ; My Spin lab, 2005.