New Delhi, March 10 : Leading wheat scientist S Nagarajan, director of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), and soil scientist Rattan Lal have been conferred the prestigious Norman E Borlaug awards for 2005.

Instituted by the Murugappa group-controlled Coromandel Fertilisers Ltd 30 years ago, the awards carry a cash prize of Rs.100,000, a gold medal and citation. It is presented annually in recognition of contributions in the area of food security.

Widely recognised for his work in Africa, South America and Sub Saharan regions, Lal, who is from the Ohio State University, is an authority on soil quality restoration to help alleviate 'hidden hunger' among the poor, according to a company statement on Thursday.

Nagarajan is being honoured for his work in the advancement of wheat programme. He is known for work on plant diseases and is currently focusing on product-oriented research to improve quality and promote value addition as well as market oriented research.

Nobel laureate Norman E Borlaug, after whom the awards have been instituted in recognition of his role in India's green revolution, will present the awards on March 16.