On November 23, Dr. Boddupalli Maruti Prasanna, foreign expert from SAAS, was honored with 2024 Shanghai Magnolia Silver Award for his outstanding contributions to promoting scientific and technological exchanges and cooperation between the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and scientific research institutions in Shanghai over the years. Vice President of SAAS, Zhao Zhihui, Director of the Research Management Division, Liu Peihong, Executive Deputy Director of CIMMYT-China Specialty Maize Research Center, Zheng Hongjian, and Director of the Maize Research Center, Wang Hui, attended the award ceremony.

As the head of the Global Maize Program at CIMMYT, Dr. B. M. Prasanna actively promoted and coordinated the signing of international cooperation agreements between SAAS and CIMMYT. In March 2018, the "CIMMYT-China Specialty Maize Research Center" was established in Shanghai. In September 2023, Dr. B. M. Prasanna visited SAAS again and signed a cooperation agreement for the joint operation of the "CIMMYT-China Specialty Maize Research Center" (Phase II). Under his coordination and guidance, SAAS has introduced more than 2,000 tropical and subtropical maize germplasm resources from CIMMYT and Central and South America. He has won the second prize of Shanghai Science and Technology Award, the second and third prizes of Shennong China Agricultural Science and Technology Award, and the CIMMYT Outstanding Partner Award. The new varieties have been promoted over 10 million mu in more than 20 provinces (cities, autonomous regions) and "Belt and Road" countries, generating an economic benefit of 30 billion yuan, making an important contribution to ensuring the stable and secure supply of food and agricultural products. Since 2011, Dr. B. M. Prasanna has actively coordinated CIMMYT experts to visit Shanghai for academic exchanges and technical guidance, promoted the implementation of several international cooperation agreements and projects, and supported and assisted many people from our academy to study and visit the CIMMYT headquarters in Mexico, providing strong support for the development of maize discipline and talent training in SAAS.

The Shanghai Magnolia Silver Award aims to encourage and recognize foreign friends who have made outstanding contributions to the economic and social development of Shanghai. It has been awarded annually since 1989. In 2024, a total of 50 distinguished foreign friends from 18 countries were honored with this award.