Suri Sehgal
Suri Sehgal | |
|---|---|
Suri Sehgal in 2008 | |
| Born | May 16, 1934 |
| Nationality | American |
| Citizenship | United States |
| Alma mater | Harvard University, USA Harvard International Senior Management Program, Switzerland Punjab University, India |
| Known for | Seed industry development, plant breeding, socioeconomic development in rural India, philanthropy S M Sehgal Foundation, India Sehgal Foundation, USA |
| Spouse | Edda Gudrun (nee Jeglinsky) Sehgal |
| Children | Kenai K. Sehgal Bernd U. Sehgal Oliver S. Sehgal Vicki D. Sehgal |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Plant genetics, agricultural science, business, philanthropy |
Surinder Mohan (Suri) Sehgal is an Indian-American philanthropist with a long career as a crop scientist, seedsman, entrepreneur, and leading global hybrid seed industry expert. His research and professional successes in the areas of plant breeding and genetics, ag biotechnology, intellectual property, business management, and seed industry development were carried out in executive capacities in several companies in the United States, Belgium, and Germany. After the divestment of a group of four seed companies that Sehgal founded and ran with his wife, Edda Sehgal, the couple created two nonprofit organizations to promote rural development in Suri's country of origin: Sehgal (Family) Foundation in 1998 in the US, and S M Sehgal Foundation in India. The foundation focuses on water security, food security, and social justice, particularly empowerment. A proponent of corporate social responsibility and environmental sustainability, Sehgal has also provided support individually and through the foundations for projects related to agriculture research, the preservation of biodiversity and the conservation of natural resources.