New Delhi: The Dr. YSR & Dr. KVP Foundation has announced that the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy Award 2026 will be conferred on the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) in recognition of its contribution to agriculture, sustainable development and the welfare of farming communities.
The Foundation was established to honour and carry forward the people-centric vision and ideals of former Chief Minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh, Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, whose public life was marked by a sustained focus on farmers, the poor and the welfare of ordinary people.
According to the Foundation, its activities are centred around three broad objectives — recognising individuals and institutions for outstanding contributions in agriculture, irrigation, health, education and other areas of public importance; supporting meritorious students, particularly those pursuing agriculture and socially relevant fields; and extending assistance and recognition to individuals dedicated to social service and public welfare.
The Foundation said its awards, scholarships and welfare initiatives are dedicated to the memory of Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy and seek to uphold the values of compassion, public service and inclusive development associated with his legacy.
The 2026 award follows the Foundation’s inaugural award presented in 2025 to Subhash Palekar Krushi (SPK) in recognition of Padma Shri awardee Subhash Palekar’s pioneering work in sustainable and natural farming. Palekar received the Rs 25 lakh cash award on behalf of SPK.
At the same event, the Foundation also felicitated the Sree Padmavathi Venkateswara Foundation (SPV Foundation) for its initiatives in natural farming and research. Dr. Chadalavada Sudha and Dr. Chadalavada Nageswara Rao received the felicitation on behalf of the organisation.
The Foundation has also expanded its educational initiatives. In 2026, it established a Rs 21 lakh scholarship corpus with Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University to support and recognise the university’s best-performing student every year.
Besides awards and scholarships, the Foundation said it has extended support to several individuals and social causes, particularly those involving people committed to public welfare and those requiring assistance.
With the 2026 award to MSSRF, the Foundation said it intends to further underline the importance of agricultural research, sustainable farming and farmer-centric development while continuing the legacy of Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy through its public service initiatives.
