Dr. Adusumilli Narayana Rao (A.N. Rao) was honored with the “International Weed Science Society (IWSS) Outstanding International Achievement Award” in recognition of Dr. Rao’s exceptional contributions to weed science and agricultural development in the developing world. The award was given to Dr. A.N. Rao at the joint weed science society congress involving 9th International Weed Science Congress; 29th Asian-Pacific Weed Science Society Conference and 17th China Weed Science Conference (Joint Congress) (Photo 1). At the Joint Congress Dr. A.N. Rao was also awarded with “Lifetime Achievement Award of Asian-Pacific Weed Science Society (APWSS) (Photo 2). The Joint Congress was held during 19-24 October 2025 at International Youth Convention Hotel, Nanjing, China with the theme of the Joint Congress was “New technology leads the way of Weed Science”.
Dr. A.N. Rao possesses fifty years of Weed Science research and experience while working at various national and international organizations such as International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), International Crops Research Institute for semi-arid Tropics (ICRISAT), India. Dr. A.N. Rao has more than 150 research papers and popular articles on weed management, published in reputed Journals and presented at national and international conferences. Dr. Rao’s research was on studying and gaining a better understanding of the impact of different factors on weed community dynamics and development, testing, and implementation of safe, effective, sustainable and economically viable management strategies for weeds in cropping systems. Dr. Rao travelled widely in different countries for Weed Science related activities. Dr. Rao was General Secretary, APWSS from 2015 to 2023 and played key role in organizing APWSS Conferences in India, Japan and Malaysia. Dr. A. N. Rao received earlier the “Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) Honorary Membership in 2024 for his meritorious services to the field of Weed Science. The Indian Society of Weed Science (ISWS) has awarded to Dr. A.N. Rao, the “Life Achievement Award (2024)” in recognition to Dr. Rao’s contribution to Weed Science and management in India. Dr. Rao is currently extending his services as Chief Editor, Indian Journal of Weed Science (IJWS).
