Dr. Hemavati Ranebennur is a Senior Scientist in the Department of Plant Pathology at the ICAR–Indian Agricultural Research Institute, India. She obtained her Ph.D. in Plant Pathology with the research focus on “Whole Genome Sequencing and Molecular Analysis of Phytoplasma Associated with Sesame Phyllody.” Over the years, she has contributed significantly to the field of plant pathology, phytoplasma research, and crop disease management.

She has made pioneering contributions by reporting, for the first time in India, several phytoplasma diseases affecting important crops such as Cassia fistula, fenugreek, faba bean, moth bean, cluster bean, and Pisum sativum from different regions of the country.

Research Contributions & Publications

Dr. Hemavati Ranebennur has an impressive research portfolio with:

• 27 scientific publications in reputed national and international journals

• 8 oral presentations and 10 abstracts in conferences

• 3 popular articles and 3 leaflets/folders, including one in Bengali on Oyster Mushroom cultivation

• 2 training manuals for farmer and student capacity-building

• Delivered expert lectures and acted as Resource Person in several programmes, including the Thematic Pandal at Pusa Krishi Vigyan Mela 2023

She has been actively involved in multi-institutional and multidisciplinary projects as Co-PI, particularly in the Mainstreaming Sesame Germplasm Project, addressing biotic stress tolerance in sesame. In addition, she has handled multiple research projects on mushrooms, Fusarium wilt, rice disease outbreaks, and IPM modules for rice and solanaceous crops.

Awards & Recognitions

Her excellence in research and extension has been recognized with several prestigious awards:

• Bharat Siksha Gaurav Puraskar (2024) for outstanding achievements in plant pathology and agriculture

• Women Researcher Award at the International Conference on Agriculture and Biological Sciences, Brainy Meet (2024)

• Best Oral Presentation Award, IPWG (2025), Lucknow

• Best Oral Talk/Poster Award at VIROCON (2020), New Delhi

• Best Poster Award at IPS Conference, Jobner, Rajasthan (2022)

Professional Engagements & Memberships

• Reviewer for Research and Scientific Innovation Society (RSIS) Journals (2024)

• Invited as Subject Expert for the review committee of “Krishi: Production, Processing and Marketing” (NIOS, 2024)

• Member of the Scientific Committee for addressing YLD and leaf spot diseases of Arecanut in Karnataka and other states

• Active member in 3 professional societies

She has also attended 10 trainings/symposia, 5 workshops, and participated in multiple conferences (virtual, hybrid, and physical), enriching her expertise and networking in the scientific community.

Capacity Building & Outreach

Dr. Hemavati Ranebennur has contributed to community-level knowledge dissemination through training programmes, popular science articles, and TV talks. She co-authored a widely read article on mushroom cultivation as an alternate source of income generation in CAU Farm Magazine (2014). She has also been part of tribal entrepreneurship development projects, especially focusing on mushroom cultivation among tribal youth.

Eligibility for Outstanding Researcher Award 

With her 27 publications, first reports of multiple phytoplasma diseases, impactful participation in multidisciplinary research projects, and recognition through national and international awards, Dr. Hemavati Ranebennur has demonstrated a sustained record of excellence in agricultural research. Her work bridges fundamental research, applied plant pathology, and farmer-oriented outreach, making her a highly deserving candidate for the Outstanding Researcher Award in Scientific Laurels