Dr. P.K. Singh

Professor, Dept. of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, BHU, Varanasi

Academic experience of more than 23 years of research experience in the field of crop improvement and quality seed research and production of major crops of the region have been headed as Nodal Officer, ICAR seed project of Banaras Hindu University for Breeder Seed, Foundation and Truthful level quality seed production. 12 years of research experience in the field of Molecular Breeding of Rice as Principal Investigator of QTL to Variety Project for Submergence component. Received many awards from various national and international organizations. Successfully supervised 42 Post Graduate and 12 Ph.D. students and they are posted in Indian Agriculture Research System, Banking and Corporate sectors.

Email: pksbhu@gmail.com, pks.gpb@bhu.ac.in  |  Mb: 9935126942

Dr. B.P. Bhatt

Director, ICAR Research Complex for Eastern Region

He has 32 years of teaching and research experience in the field of agroforestry, farming systems research, and conservation agriculture. Dr. Bhatt has published more than 250 research papers in the journals of International and National repute, besides Book Chapters, Popular Articles, Technical Bulletins, Policy Documents, Extension Folders, Training Manuals etc. He has also authored/edited 19 books in the field of agriculture and allied aspects. He is recipient of several national awards and Fellow National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (2009), National Institute of Ecology (2014) and National Academy of Biological Sciences (2018).

Email: directoricarrcer@gmail.com, dr.bpbhatt@yahoo.com  |  Mb: 9473199366

Dr. Narendra Pratap Singh

Director, ICAR-IIPR, Kanpur

Previously, Project Coordinator (Chickpea) from 2007-14, President, Indian Society of Pulses Research and Development, Kanpur, India (2013-2020). He has more than 30 years of experience in agricultural research and management with commendable contributions. Dr Singh developed world class state of the art facilities of Biotechnology at IIPR, Kanpur, and developed several transgenic events (Bt gene) exhibiting high level of resistance to Helicoverpa armigera in chickpea and pigeonpea, with efficient lines tested in confined field trials by RCGM/GEAC, Govt. of India. He is a pioneer in integrating tools of biotechnology in Pulses Research in India and developed the first draft chickpea genome sequence in collaboration with international laboratories, considered a landmark in Pulses Research history in India. He also developed marker assisted breeding products for Fusarium wilt resistance and drought tolerance in chickpea, developed interspecific/intergeneric hybrids in chickpea and pigeonpea involving wild accessions, and released 14 varieties of different pulse crops. Awarded NAAS Fellow 2017, ISPRD Excellence Award 2017, Sardar Patel Outstanding Institution Award 2017 (Team), UPAAS Life Time Achievement Award 2016, Bioved Agri-Innovation Award 2015, and Honorary Fellow 2015 by Indian Society of Biochemistry. He has served on many important committees including RCGM, and as International Coordinator (Translational Research) for the International Chickpea Genetics and Genomics Consortium.

Dr. Arvind Kumar

Head, IRRI South Asia Regional Centre (ISARC), Varanasi

Prior to moving to ISARC, Dr. Kumar worked as Interim Head, Rice Breeding Platform, where he led the rainfed lowland, South Asia plant breeding group at IRRI. He has expertise in trait development for drought, aerobic rice and dry direct seeded rice, and has developed 62 rice varieties released in ten different countries, with 150 peer-reviewed manuscripts and 30 book chapters published. Dr. Kumar identified seven genes for rice gall midge resistance and several QTLs for grain yield under drought and dry direct seeded conditions, traits like early vigor, lodging resistance, and root traits for nutrient uptake, as well as nematode tolerance and stable QTLs for high Fe and Zn content in rice. He has supervised 33 scholars and Post-Doctoral Fellows, is a Fellow of NAAS, and was awarded the Rafi Ahmed Kidwai award for his service to Indian Agriculture, along with recognition by the Govt. of Nepal for his work in stress-prone areas.

Prof. M.K. Sallooja

Professor (Dairy Technology), School of Agriculture, IGNOU

Former Director (SOA) for two terms, with academic experience of more than 30 years in Dairy Technology, Food Safety & Quality Management, Sustainable Development and Vocational Education. A Dairy Technologist by profession from NDRI, he began teaching as Assistant Professor at the Dairy Science College, Udaipur, later diversifying into Educational Planning and Vocational Education as Senior Research Officer in the Planning Commission and Reader at NCERT. Presently Programme Coordinator of four programmes at IGNOU, with three research scholars awarded PhD and two having submitted theses. Published 15 research papers and five book chapters, besides developing study material for IGNOU and NCERT. Also associated with MOOCs on SWAYAM and Channel Coordinator for SWAYAM PRABHA – DTH Channel (#24) for Agriculture, and the Chair for Sustainable Development from 2008-2014.

Dr. Dinesh Kumar Agrawal

Principal Scientist (Genetics & Plant Breeding) & Director (Acting), ICAR-Indian Institute of Seed Science, Mau (U.P.)

With more than 25 years of research experience among forage grasses & fodders, cotton, and soybean, he has handled multifarious activities in plant genetic resources in forages & soybean and operated breeding programmes in fodder cowpea, Lucerne, cotton and soybean, developing a number of varieties among these crops and overseeing breeder seed production in soybean. His present role involves a managerial position as Director (Acting) of ICAR-Indian Institute of Seed Science, which has a national mandate for coordination of quality seed production and research in India.

Dr. Dhoom Singh

Director Extension, C.S. Azad University of Agriculture & Technology, Kanpur

Passed UG & PG (Agronomy) from R.B.S. College, Bichpuri, Agra and Ph.D. (Agronomy) from CSAUA&T, Kanpur. Taught UG & PG students in Agronomy at Brahmanand College, Rath (B U, Jhansi) for ten years, and engaged in 15 years of research at R.R.S. Hazratpur, Firozabad and Daleep Nagar, Kanpur Nagar. As Director Extension, monitored the University’s KVKs, built linkages with line departments, ICAR-ATARI and ICAR institutions for effective delivery of technical inputs, and organized the All India Farmers Fair and Agricultural Exhibition every year. Served as Chairperson and member of various committees, published numerous research papers, articles and bulletins, and served as editor-in-chief of Directorate of Extension publications.

Dr. J.P. Sharma

Joint Director (Extension), ICAR-IARI, New Delhi

With over 33 years of experience conducting strategic research, guiding and teaching PG students, national/international training programmes, and agricultural development interventions at the national level. He did his PhD from IIT Delhi and PG from GBPUA&T Pantnagar, with fellowships from IIT Delhi and UNDP respectively. His areas of expertise include developing innovative extension models for effective technology dissemination, entrepreneurship development in agriculture for creating farm and non-farm employment, peri-urban agriculture, assessment and refinement of agricultural technologies, market-led extension, and upscaling farmer-led innovations.

Dr. Ashwini Datta Pathak

Director, ICAR-IISR, Rae Bareli, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

A plant breeder by profession, working in genetic enhancement of sugar crops especially sugarcane since 1985. Developed nine sugarcane varieties including CoLK 12207, CoLK 12209, CoLK 11203, CoLK 11206, CoLK 09204, CoLK 07201, CoLK 9709, Co 89029 and Co 89003, and two sugarbeet varieties LS-06 and IISR Comp-1, along with 18 genetic stocks involving intergeneric hybrids for borer tolerance developed in prebreeding efforts. Instrumental in convincing the U.P. Government to recommend CVRC-released sugarcane varieties for cultivation in UP, leading to record production of sugar and sugarcane in the state. Standardized agro-techniques for sugarbeet as an alternate green energy source under Indian climatic conditions, initiated a programme for doubling farmers’ income in PPP mode, established jaggery units through multi-party arrangements, and initiated seed production programmes to improve sugarcane productivity and profitability.

Dr. Narendra Singh

Associate Professor & Head (Agronomy) and Associate Director, Extension, Banda University of Agriculture and Technology, Banda (UP)

Developed the KVK under the supervision of the Deendayal Research Institute at Chitrakoot and Gonda, gaining recognition at zonal and national level. Significantly augmented crop productivity in adopted villages through On Farm Testing, Front Line Demonstrations, need-based farmer training, and field days. Has substantial experience in transfer of technology through mass media including radio, TV, magazines and newspapers, and has organized training programmes for government officials, field staff, rural youth, farmers and farm women. Conducts front line crop demonstrations under NFSM, imparts holistic economic and social development programmes in tribal villages of Manikpur block, Chitrakoot (UP), and oversees all mandatory work of BUAT’s KVKs as Associate Director Extension, also serving as Nodal Officer for RTI.

Prof. Rakesh Singh

Professor and Head, Dept. of Agricultural Economics, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, BHU, Varanasi

Involved in teaching, research and extension activities for the last 31 years, with a research focus on marketing and trade and more than 83 publications in national and international journals. He has authored three books and six book chapters, with major research highlighting the functioning of marketing systems, information asymmetry, and developing efficient value chains for horticultural products. Major extramural research projects handled include Market Intelligence, Development of Value Chain, Impact of Resource Conservation Technologies, and application of e-learning in the agricultural education system. He was Vice President of the Indian Society of Agricultural Economics, Mumbai, and is a Fellow of the National Academy of Dairy Sciences (India).

Prof. Dr. Pratap Bhanu Singh Bhadoria

Visiting Professor and Ex-Head, Dept. of Agricultural and Food Engineering and Rural Development Centre, IIT Kharagpur

Awarded the Alexander-von-Humboldt Foundation (Germany) Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship at Göttingen University, Germany, and the ICRA Fellowship of IAC, Wageningen, The Netherlands, for field studies of farming systems in Guimaras, The Philippines. Currently coordinates three mega projects on Rural Technology (RuTAG), Food Security Research Project, and Design Innovation Centre / National Initiative for Design Innovation (NID). Has guided 19 Ph.D., 60 M.Tech. and 50 B.Tech. students, handled 20 sponsored research and consultancy projects including from Volkswagen Foundation, Germany and IWMI, Sri Lanka, published 178 scientific papers and 3 books, and filed 37 patents related to rural technology, disseminating rural and sustainable food production technology to more than 30 NGOs, currently working with over 50 NGOs across eastern India.

Dr. Gautam Goswami

Head, “Technology Vision 2035” Programme, TIFAC, Dept. of Science & Technology, Govt. of India

Also heads climate change projects in TIFAC and coordinated Technology Vision 2020 Agriculture demonstration projects across the country, working closely with Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, former President of India. Trained in technology foresight from the School of International Futures (SOIF), UK, and participated in preparing the “World 2050” document for OECD in Paris. Under his leadership, TIFAC prepared the Technology Needs Assessment report for India in the context of Climate Change. Conducted panel discussions on technology aspects of Climate Change at COP 21, COP 22, COP 23 and COP 24 in Paris, Morocco, Bonn and Katowice respectively, trains private and public sector organizations on Foresight application in decision-making, and recently led preparation of the Policy on “Scientific Social Responsibility” with DST.

Dr. Jagdish Singh

Director, ICAR-Indian Institute of Vegetable Research, Varanasi

Doctorate from BHU, Varanasi, served as Divisional Head in ICAR-IIPR, Kanpur and ICAR-IIVR, Varanasi during a 22-year service period in ICAR, besides serving more than 10 years in the State Department of Sugarcane. Engaged in various R&D work in vegetables, pulses and sugarcane, contributing to promising agricultural technologies including varieties/hybrids in vegetables and pulses. Handled 10 externally funded projects as Principal Investigator/Co-PI funded by organizations like ICAR, NHRDF and DBT, and has contributed more than 443 publications including 125 research papers in reputed national/international journals.

Dr. Neeraj Singh

Principal Scientist (Agricultural Extension), ICAR-Indian Institute of Vegetable Research, Varanasi

Doctorate from ICAR-IARI, New Delhi, in Agricultural Extension, working at ICAR-IIVR since January 1998. Engaged in Research & Extension in vegetables and allied crops for the last 22 years, contributing extensively to assessing farmers’ needs and transferring vegetable technologies to end users, particularly in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, for nutritional and livelihood security. Handled 7 institutional projects and 14 externally funded projects as Principal Investigator/Co-PI funded by organizations like ICAR, NAIP, Ministry of Water Resources, NHB, NHM and CIMMYT (India), contributing more than 130 publications including 41 research papers in reputed national/international journals.

Dr. C.B. Singh

Assistant General Manager, APEDA, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Govt. of India, New Delhi

Areas of expertise include 10 years of Education/Teaching (UG/PG) at BU Jhansi, and 7 years of Administration/Agri Export at APEDA as Assistant General Manager posted in Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata. Experienced in international Standard Operating Procedures for export of fresh fruits and vegetables to EU countries, Operational Work Plans with the USA, ISPM/NSPM requirements for Japan, South Korea, China, Australia and Gulf countries, International Pack House Standards, and Organic Certification for export agri produce under NPOP/NOP.