Research
As an active researcher for nearly 20 years at CSSRI, Karnal, the nominee developed a low cost, eco-friendly, bioamelioration technology for the reclamation and management of salt-affected soils. Development and refinement of Pit-Augerhole Technique for growing multipurpose forest and fruit trees including standardization of complete package of practices gave a new hope to small and marginal farmers and Village Panchayats for the utilization of abandoned sodic lands for raising multipurpose forest and fruit trees and fuelwood and forage crops. Dr. Singh’s research on reclamation of sodic soils by trees and grasses was acknowledged in prestigious journal SCIENCE and brought him recognition both at the national and international level. Sodic soils afforestation and agroforestry technologies developed by him and his team attracted the attention of international donors like the World Bank and the European Union and major projects like social forestry and farm forestry were funded by these organizations and a sizeable area constituted by village community lands lying abandoned due to salt problem was rehabilitated and reclaimed. Dr. Singh’s pioneering work on the introduction, improvement and multiplication of edible Cactus (Opuntia ficus indica) and genus Prosopis (Valayati Babul) germplasm is noteworthy. Seed/planting material orchards established at CSSRI, Karnal; NRC Agroforstry, Jhansi and elsewhere are serving as National seed/planting material source for drought proofing in drought prone areas of the country. Based upon these research efforts, Dr. Singh has published more than 280 research papers/articles including about 30 papers in high impact factor international journals (H Index - 20) and received several awards including Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Award and Hari Om Ashram Trust Awards of ICAR and Recognition Award of National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS).
Research Management
One of the notable contributions of Dr. Singh as ADG includes conceptualizing and development of ICAR new research initiatives on climate change and organic farming during the 10th Plan. Both these initiatives culminated into flagship programmes of ICAR during 11th and 12th Plans. The first ever systematic Crop Contingency Plan for drought management was compiled, published and circulated throughout the country by Dr. Singh during 2002 drought which helped the nation to moderate drought impact on food production and received wide appreciation. As Director of CSSRI, Karnal, he conceptualized, formulated and implemented several new research and development initiatives such as development of an integrated farming system model for small land holder farmers; establishment of ground water recharge structures at about 60 sites in villages of Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat; establishment of a herbal garden, diversion of all reclaimed farm land for seed production of promising crops varieties and organization of Kharif and Rabi Kissan Melas every year for distribution of seed; formulation of Stake Holders Forum and organizing regular meetings to link farmers, farmers organizations, industry, development departments and NGOs with Karnal based ICAR institutes and scientists. The institute received several national and international collaborative research programmes and consultancies including rehabilitation of tsunami affected areas in Maldives, Sri Lanka and Andaman and Nicobar Islands; European Union funded programme on Biosaline Agroforestry, Rehabilitation of Sand Mined Areas, etc. During his tenure as Director the CSSRI got the prestigious Best Institute Award by ICAR and Ground Water Augmentation Award of Ministry of Water Resources.
Agricultural Development and Policy
Notable contributions of the nominee as Agriculture Commissioner, Government if India includes conceptualization, formulation and field scale implementation of focused schemes like Bringing Green Revolution in East India; 60000 pulses and oilseeds villages in rainfed areas; Accelerated Pulses Production Programme (A3P) and Schemes on Nutri Cereals and Fodder etc. Extensive field level monitoring of input supply and organizing village/block level meetings with the farmers involving ICAR/SAU Scientists and state officials through frequent visits by the nominee resulted in ever highest food grains production of about 245 million tonnes during 2010-11 and 259 million tonnes in 2011-12. Continuously for two years, 11 and 14 million tonnes additional food grains were produced. Further, it was for the first time after Independence that 18.3 million tonnes of pulses were produced during 2010-11; an increase of about 3.6 million tonnes in one year.
Human Resource Management
After joining ASRB as Chairman, several reform measures were initiated and implemented by the nominee. Notable ones include: regular conduct of ARS once a year and NET twice a year; online examination facility at 23 centres; revision of score card and application form; upgradation of question bank, advisors list and syllabus, attracting talent from abroad and enhancement in efficiency and transparency of ASRB. During nominee’s tenure 1870 agricultural scientists were selected, promoted 1503 scientists and issued 17870 NET certificates in 56 disciplines of Agricultural and allied sciences.