Dr

Academic Biography

Personal & Professional Profile: An award-winning Agricultural Scientist and Academician with over two decades of transformative leadership in Soil Water Engineering, Cold Arid Agriculture, and Natural Farming. Currently serving as Professor cum Chief Scientist at the School of Agriculture Science and Technology, University of Ladakh (UoL), Leh. Extensively recognized for translating high-altitude research into policy and establishing self-sustaining agri-entrepreneurship models in extreme climates. Academic Credentials Ph.D. in Soil Water Engineering (2015) – Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. M.E. in Irrigation Water Management Engineering (2005) – CTAE, MPUAT, Udaipur. B.E. in Agricultural Engineering (2002) – Dr. B. R. Ambedkar University, Agra. Achievements: Secured All India Rank 1st (S.T. category) in the ICAR JRF Examination (2003). Key Expertise Soil Water Engineering, Micro-Irrigation, Natural/Organic Farming Policy, High-Altitude Permaculture, and Low-Cost Mushroom & Vermicompost Technologies. Major Career Accomplishments: Infrastructure & Innovation: Developed 10 hectares of barren land into a solar-operated Micro-Irrigation demonstration unit and a 100-Kanal live laboratory. Designed and popularized a low-cost Vermicompost Harvester. Extreme Climate Farming: Successfully advanced trench technology, low tunnels, and mushroom production at -2°C near the Indo-China border. Stabilized pasturelands and millet cultivation at extreme altitudes over 14,000–15,000 feet. Socio-Economic Impact: Founded 14 women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and incubated 17 successful agricultural startups for progressive farmers and youth in the Ladakh region. Research & Funding: Executed 24 institutional projects (14 as Principal Investigator funded by DST, NABARD, and others). Published 50 full-length research papers and holds 2 patents. Global Representation: Invited as an international keynote speaker across panels in Taiwan (IPC 15) and Vietnam, presenting to over 150 nations on cold-desert livelihood transformation. Served as a member of the ICAR-CAZRI Quinquennial Review Team (2018–2022). Key Awards & Honors: Nari Shakti Samman (2025) – For exemplary contributions to Soil Water Engineering. Best Extension Scientist Award (2025) – Conferred by the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS). Best KVK Award (2023) – For outstanding leadership and model building at KVK Nyoma (14,000 ft). Best Oral Presentation (1st Place) – Global Conference on Women in Agri-Food Systems (GCWAS-2026), New Delhi.