Dr. R. Selvarajan
Biography
🎓 Dr. R. Selvarajan
Director, ICAR – National Research Centre for Banana (NRCB), Tiruchirappalli
🌿 Driving Innovation in Banana Research & Sustainable Agriculture
Dr. R. Selvarajan is the Director of NRCB, Tiruchirapalli, and a highly respected plant virologist and agricultural scientist with decades of contribution to India’s horticultural advancement. His expertise and leadership have significantly strengthened India’s position in banana research, disease management, and export-quality production.
With a Ph.D. in Plant Virology and global research exposure, he has been a pioneering force in integrating modern biotechnology with traditional cultivation methods.
📌 Key Contributions & Impact
- 🍌 Leading banana tissue culture, breeding, and disease management programs across India.
- 🧬 Expert in plant virology, with several research papers and global collaborations.
- 🌱 Strong promoter of sustainable banana farming and value-added banana products.
- 🤝 Instrumental in farmer training programs and national workshops to spread practical knowledge to the grassroots.
- 📺 Featured in multiple educational media platforms, raising awareness about scientific banana cultivation techniques.
🧪 Academic & Research Excellence
• Ph.D. in Plant Virology from TNAU
• Renowned for his work on Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV), Banana Bract Mosaic Virus (BBrMV), and advanced molecular techniques for virus detection
• Expertise in virus-indexed tissue culture propagation for clean planting material.
🌾 Innovations in Banana Cultivation
• Pioneered effective diagnostic tools to combat major banana viral diseases
• Led national programs on disease surveillance and virus-free planting campaigns
• Instrumental in technology dissemination to banana growers for disease control and improved yield
🌍 Contributions to Indian Horticulture
• Active contributor to policymaking and knowledge-sharing at national and international platforms
• Promotes sustainable cultivation, better agronomic practices, and farm-level training
• Guides farmers and FPOs in adopting clean and certified planting materials
🏢 National Research Centre for Banana (NRCB), Trichy
As a national hub for banana research, NRCB is focused on crop improvement, plant protection, post-harvest technology, and farmer outreach. Under Dr. Selvarajan’s leadership, the centre is driving innovative R&D and inclusive farmer support models.
📎 Online Profiles
🔗 LinkedIn – Dr. R. Selvarajan
🔗 NABSI Profile