A farm as a laboratory
Shrirang Devaba Lad, whom many farmers call “Dada Lad”, is an example of agricultural experiment done in the field. According to his official Padma citation, he was born on 1 January 1947 in Malsonna village, Parbhani district.
After college, he worked for many years with rural organisations and farmer networks, and turned farming into an area of practical research.
The Dada Lad technique
He is best known for a way of growing cotton. His citation says his technique showed notable gains in cotton productivity through plant spacing, plant management and good agricultural practices. He experimented in the same way with jowar and tur.
The citation mentions evaluation of his techniques by the Central Institute for Cotton Research, Nagpur. A 2026 Sansad TV interview explained the technique in terms of high-density planting, lower costs, scientific crop management and sustainable farming.
Farmer as researcher
He has also worked with indigenous cattle breeds and on training farmers. His story narrows the gap between the laboratory and the farm.
Innovation is strongest when a farmer brings observation, experiment and institutional testing together, and when farmers then learn from one another.
Sources
- Padma Awards 2026: official citation
- Sansad TV: interview
- Padma Awards 2026: notification
- padmaawards.gov.in/Document/pdf/CitationsForTickets/2026/English/2026115.pdf
- youtube.com/watch?v=KpcRYCrGJxg
- padmaawards.gov.in/Document/pdf/Notifications/PadmaAwards/PadmaAwards2026.pdf