Message from the Director General

Demonstrated scientific leadership and skill in research management, developed innovative extension models and entrepreneurship development for livelihood security of farmers as Vice-Chancellor, SKUAST-Jammu and SKUAST-Kashmir, Director- CAFT, Head, Joint Director (Extension) and Joint Director (Research), IARI, New Delhi.

Member of various national statuary bodies and policy committees, nominated member of Sub-group VII for XII Plan of Planning Commission. Total 122 research papers, 301 popular articles, 53 books authored/edited, 62 book chapters, >50 awards including NAAS Fellow, associated as PI/Co-PI with 34 projects. Designed and developed innovative extension approaches like National Extension Programme, IARI-Post Office Linkage Extension Model (KrishiDak), Cyber Extension Model, Vice-Chancellor to Village (V2V) programme, models for up-scaling and out-scaling farmers led innovations, e-studio, community radio (03) and youtube channel for better and faster dissemination of technologies. Developed effective linkages with national and international organizations like Niti Aayog, Zero budget based farming & MSP, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, GoI, APEX Committee for holistic development of Agriculture & Allied sector in J&K, DST, DBT, NABARD, SAUs & ICAR Institutes (16), VOs (32), Department of Post, CABI, AREP, Nepal and Yezin Agricultural University, Myanmar etc. to formulate collaborative extension/research projects. As VC of SKUAST-Jammu & SKUAST-Kashmir developing new infrastructure including 3 new KVKs, 3 new Faculties/Colleges, Basmati Rice Research Centre in 100 Acre, Gene Bank, established Advanced Centre for Horticulture, Udheywala, Jammu and released 33 varieties (SKUAST-Jammu: 21 & SKUAST-Kashmir: 12). Started 07 new PG & PhD courses in agriculture, forestry, fishery & Dairy technology. Filed 04 patents, 01 GI of Bhaderwah Rajmah, setup 58 startups, new research projects with total cost of Rs. 89 Crore and made 37 MoUs (National- 31; International: 06) with premier institutions by SKUAST-Jammu. Served as Visiting Professor in the Advanced Centre for Agricultural Education and Research (ACARE), Yezin Agricultural University, Myanmar. Member of NEP-2020 Task Force on Higher Education, Government of J&K; Member National Advisory board of Agrivision; AERC governing body; Member Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR); Member Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), Dehradun; Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (MoHRD); Member of Task Force Committee for Western Himalaya, Expert Member of judging committee for Sardar Patel Outstanding ICAR Institution Award, Indigenous Technology Innovations Award, Technology Development Board, DST, New Delhi, Core Committee Member of Scientific Validation and Research on Panchgavya, DST, GoI; Member, Research Advisory Committee (RAC) of ICAR-CPRI, Shimala and ICAR-SBI, Coimbatore; Chairman, Academic Council and Research Council of SKUAST- Jammu and SKUAST-Kashmir; Expert for the interview board for Senior Management Positions including Member of ASRB, New Delhi; Expert member of Extension council, IVRI, Bareilly; Member, QRT of ICAR- CSSRI and AICRP on SAS, Karnal; Selection Committee Member of various SAUs, national institutes and UPSC; Nodal Officer, Doubling the Farmers Income in J&K ; Chairman, Peer Review Team, Mahatma Gandhi Chitrakoot Gramodaya, Vishwavidyalaya, Chitrakoot, M.P.; Chairman, Board of Management, SKUAST-Jammu and SKUAST-Kashmir; Member, University Council, SKUAST-Jammu and SKUAST-Kashmir; Founder President, Society for Community Mobilization for Sustainable; Secretary, Indian Society of Extension Education. Introduced/taught 11 postgraduate courses in agricultural extension and guided 23 PG students as Chairman/Co-Chairman/Member, Advisory Committee.