Dr. Usha Zehr is the Chief Technology Officer and the Director of Research at Mahyco. She completed her Ph.D. from the University of Illinois. She has worked on soybean and sorghum research as a student and early in her career. Mahyco currently focuses on research on rice, wheat, cotton, etc. In this exclusive interview with The Indi Times, Dr. Usha recounts her childhood and tries to break down the secret to her success. She also gives the reader insights into what makes a successful research scientist. We also get to understand her view on GM crops and how India is now a net exporter of cotton instead of an importer due to the use of technology.
The Indi Times (Indi): You have achieved so much in your life. You are currently the Chief Technology Officer and Director of Research at Mahyco. Earlier, you also served at the University of Illinois and at Purdue University. You also hold a Ph.D. in Agronomy. These milestones are dreamt about by the majority of people but few achieve them. Did you ever imagine during your growing-up days that you would achieve so much? Are you content with your success?
Usha Zehr (UZ): Yes, I have to agree that I have been very fortunate to have the opportunity to pursue advanced studies and work in the area to make what contribution possible. I grew up in a family where education was very important and pursuing higher education was greatly encouraged. As a result, I had the full support of the family to do advanced studies.
Dr. B R Barwale, my father who is the founder of Mahyco and the group, has instilled the belief in all of us that “A better world is the responsibility of all”. Therefore, I always feel that we need to contribute whatever we can for the betterment of society and so happy to do my part.
Indi: Can you tell us a little bit about the major areas of research that you do?
UZ: I have worked in Soybean and sorghum research as a student and early on in my career. Now, much of my time goes into research administration in the company. Today, we are focused on research in rice, wheat, cotton, okra, chilli, cauliflower and brinjal as our primary focus crops. Our goal is to address the challenges faced by the farmer with the use of the entire plant breeding tool kit which includes conventional as well as new approaches.
Indi: We have all heard about genetically modified crops. Could you share some details about what exactly it is and why it is important?
UZ: Genetic modification in crops refers to application of advanced knowledge of science of genetics and molecular biology to the research process of breeding better crop. Genetic modification is done to get a set of desired characters or traits in the plants. This is similar to conventional breeding, but far more precise and less time consuming.
For example, in case of Bt Cotton, which is the only genetically modified crop so far in India, there is a gene from a common soil bacteria called Bacillus thuringiensis that is inserted in the plant. This gene confers inbuilt protection to cotton plants against a common insect called Bollworm. Bollworm was a dreaded insect on cotton damaging the crop severely before the introduction of Bt Cotton technology. Now, farmers have the advantage of protecting their crop without chemical pesticide to control this particular insect. This technology has helped India to increase its share in global cotton production from 12% before the technology introduction to 25% now. India has become the second largest exporter of cotton from being a net importer.
Indi: What are the potential challenges with BT crops and how are we mitigating them?
UZ: There are many misconceptions about Bt Crops (GM Crops). One is about its safety and usefulness. GM crops undergo extensive regulatory safety tests for ensuring safety to environment and living being before allowing commercial introduction in every country. GM crops have been there in the world for about 20 years now without a single documented case of adverse effect. There are about 28 agriculturally advanced countries including USA, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Australia and China using this GM technology for improving crop productivity. The fact that the farmers have been increasing area under cultivation of GM crops year after year is a proof of benefit from the technology.
There are also opposition based on ideologies like Private sector should not be allowed in Agriculture, Indian agriculture does not need outside technology, modern technologies in agriculture are suitable only for large farms etc. But these are not based on science and facts.
Better communication with farmers and consumers would be a way to deal with these misconceptions and to create confidence.
Indi: Thanks for the explanation on GM crops and their benefits. Moving on, everyone faces failures in life. It is how we recover that is a mark of a great person. Have you had any setback in your life? How did you overcome it?
UZ: To share a personal experience, I am one of five daughters in the family and the youngest. During school years, my sisters went through the same teachers before I got to them and some of the teachers had a tendency to compare how I did with that of my sisters who had better writing skills, got better marks and so on. This became a challenge at times but made me work harder to improve. Also when we moved to Mumbai, I found that English was a great challenge for me having grown up in a small town and studied in a Hindi medium school. The learning for me was to stick with it and work hard to overcome these challenges. This also was possible because the family support was constant, and we had to address these issues by ourselves.
Indi: Do you recollect any incident about your school days that you still relish? Any naughty prank that you played?
UZ: When we moved to Mumbai, I used to take the school bus. In the bus, we had mix of students from many classes and also our Principal use to travel in the same bus. It was always a race between students to find a spot in the bus as far away from the principal as possible. There were many pranks that we would pull in our class and at times I was caught as my friends would have blank look on their faces when the teacher turned around, and I could not stop laughing.
Indi: You will no doubt agree that times have changed since when you were in school and College. What do you think are the challenges faced by the children of today?
UZ: One key challenge and opportunity for the students today is technology -specially the use of mobile phones and computers. The students need not miss out on the one to one interaction at the cost of using phones. Communication and style of communication is changing.
One has to wonder if these will have long term impact on our ability to communicate verbally and the types of friendships we form.
Another challenge that I see for the children today is balancing various interests. Today’s world requires one to be good at many areas, not just in academics or sports. Of course, the technology has been helpful in improving learning in many areas. Children will have to be encouraged to develop multiple skill sets and knowledge.
Indi: Do you have some regrets in life? If you had an opportunity to start your life again, which path would you choose?
UZ: There always are things one wonders about as to “what if”. I believe that our actions must be reflective of who we are. We all make mistakes but we need to learn from it and move on. Having regrets in life to me does not help, better learn from our mistakes and ensure that we do not repeat the same again.
Indi: You have travelled extensively within and outside the country. You have studied and worked across the world. If you had an opportunity to change one thing about our country, what would it be?
UZ: In today’s day I have to say that we need to change our educational system particularly of the regional colleges which are coming up left and right and no focus on actually igniting the minds of young students, but focused more on the University politics. As a result we are graduating thousands of students who do not have their fundamentals right and not ready with skill set for real life challenges.
Indi: All of us need time for ourselves. How much time do you devote to yourself? What do you do during that time? Some people meditate; some reflect on happenings; others relax by reading or listening to music. What is your style?
UZ: I like to listen to music and also like to watch movies. I find the music helping me to rejuvenate and refresh. Movies , apart from being a source of entertainment, are also very educative.
Indi: You are a scientist with significant achievements and experience. If you had to say something to students to explain the importance of research, what would it be?
UZ: Follow what you like as that is when all your energy is focused on the subject at hand. Become experts in that subject matter and rest is history.
Scientific research has been an interesting subject for my curious mind from my childhood. It is hugely satisfying when as a research team we discover solutions to farming challenges through application of our learning to practical problems. For instance, when we discover a vegetable seed – Bhendi which is tolerant to particular virus which otherwise damages the crop, it is a feeling of elation that we would be helping millions of our small farmers in their crop performance.
Indi: What do you think are the qualities needed to be a successful research scientist? Is it in born or can it be developed?
UZ: I guess it is a little bit of both. You need to develop a scientific temper at an early age. Encourage children to ask questions and enquire so as to create curiosity and challenge the status quo.
Indi: In today’s world (contemporary), do you have a role model?
UZ: A role model is someone you can look up to. When you have a challenge, you remember what they have told you and give you energy to strive for more. My role model is my father Dr. B. R. Barwale. He is a constant source of inspiration for me and made me believe that if I put my mind to it, I can do anything. His humility, desire to do good for the town, region and country, improving the lives of rural children are just a few things about him which inspire.
Indi: Finally, what would be your message for our young readers?
UZ: These are exciting times. The world has gotten smaller. Information is available at your fingertips. Technology is driving costs down for many things. The key to making your place in this world is to use these advances in the best possible manner to help yourself, your family, and the world you live in. The opportunities are endless but can also be daunting. Do not just dream of becoming an engineer or doctor but go beyond and think of what you really can make a contribution to. Strive for more and work towards it and you will be successful.
