D. Bap Reddy

Dr. D. Bap Reddy is an Internationally renowned scientist and administrator who served at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

He received his PhD from the University of California, Berkeley, United States in 1950.^[1] He served from 1978 to 1982 as the Deputy Regional Representative^[2] (Diplomatic Status level position) of Asia and Pacific for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations(FAO), the primary world wide non-governmental organization responsible for food and agricultural issues. He served as Acting Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative^[3]of Asia and Pacific for FAO and acted on its behalf. He was FAO Representative (Diplomatic Status level position) in Indonesia^[4] from 1982 to 1986 and also FAO Representative in Nepal in 1987. Dr. Reddy was first among the Reddy's to be appointed to Diplomatic Status level position for United Nations Specialized Agencies. He served in Diplomatic Status level position for ten years. During his service he met the following Dignitaries, Leaders and Heads of Governments: Bangladesh President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Fiji Prime Minister Kamisese Mara, Indonesia President Suharto, Japan Prime Minister E Nishimura, Nepal Prime Minister Kirti Nidhi Bista, Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos, Thailand Prime Ministers Kriangsak Chomanan and Prem Tinsulanonda. Prior to serving with the FAO, he was an active researcher with more than 200 papers and articles^[5] to his credit. He was directly involved in the establishment of the plant protection counters at Indian ports of entry, a vital element in protecting India's food supply. In 1964 Government of India appointed a very high (Ministerial) level Committee on Harmful Effects of Pesticides, he was appointed as member of the committee. Apart from making many useful recommendations, the Committee advocated the introduction of National Pesticide Legislation.

Promoter of International Cooperation

Dr. Reddy had the unique distinction of formulating the first TCP (Technical Cooperation Programme) Project in July 1976 and becoming instrumental in FAO's response to the call from the People's Republic of Lao and providing emergency assistance. In subsequent years there were several other TCP projects to the credit of Dr. Reddy. Among Reddy's he was the first to foster Regional Cooperation by acting as an important catalyst to ASEAN governments establishing a Regional Centre in Plant Quarantine and by encouraging trilateral consultations on plant protection among governments of Bangladesh, India and Nepal in 1978 as a precursor to South Asian Cooperation.

Awards and recognition

• He was invited to present a Special Lecture on Food Production in 1965 at The Royal Society of London.
• During the Eleventh Session of the Asia and Pacific Plant Protection Commission which has a membership of 24 countries, for which he was the Executive Secretary,^[6]the member nations paid a tribute to his contributions; to quote:" Dr. Reddy has been a driving force in plant protection throughout the Region. For extended periods he has carried out extensively and efficiently a wide range of activities,with little permanent assistance. In so as this Committee is concerned he has effectively organized six of the biennial meetings of the Committee as well as numerous projects on plant protection in the Region have received his continuing attention. Members of the Committee join in thanking Dr. Reddy for being the enthusiast who placed Plant Protection in South East Asia and the Pacific Region in a position where it is now receiving due consideration".
• In his honor, the Plant Protection Association of India has instituted a national award, the Dr. D. Bap Reddy National Award for Integrated pest management, which is awarded annually to entomologists.^{[7][8][9][10]}
• Plant Protection News, Philippines, published a Profile in recognition of his contributions(1975).
• An Award was presented to him by the Government of Republic of Korea for his services.

Special Contributions and Achievements in the UN System

• Since 1967–1978 for FAO he, initiated, identified, formulated programmes and projects in plant production and protection and assisted in their implementation. About 50 country and 19 regional programmes and projects covering 19 countries were formulated. Approximate external investment- FAO, UNDP, Multilateral, Bilateral,Trust Fund in the projects was about US$35 million and the Government investment was about US$60 million.
• Participated in the Special Missions to Republic of Korea and Vietnam.
• From 1982–1986 he,coordinated, supported, supervised and monitored all FAO Executed Programmes and Projects headquartered in Indonesia - national, regional and international. There were 42 projects in Indonesia with a staff of 120 International Experts.
• In 1987 in Nepal he, promoted the strengthening of Government and FAO relations.

Personal life

Dr. D. Bap Reddy's youngest daughter-in-law Smt. Padmaja Devi is grand daughter of Sri. K. Ramchandra Reddy of Pulimamidi.

References