Himachal based Baddi University of Emerging Sciences & Technology has appointed eminent Academician and Agriculture research pioneer Dr JK Sharma its new Vice-Chancellor.
Doctorate in Plant Breeding & Genetics, Dr Sharma has over 35 years of academic experience and prior joining Baddi university, he has rendered his academic and research services at Agriculture University Palampur.
Chancellor Er Pradeep Shrivastav, while appointing Dr. JK Sharma Vice-Chancellor of the University, congratulated him and hoped that the University will be benefited from his long academic exposer.
Gaurrav Ram Jhunjhunwala, Member Secretary, Sponsoring Body, while congratulating Dr JK Sharma, hoped that under his leadership, university will scale new height.
Outgoing Vice-Chancellor Prof. TR Bhardwaj also congratulated Dr Sharma and said that his excellent and vast educational exposer will help University to improve further and help students to shape their academic career.
Dr Sharma was force behind creation of infrastructure for vegetable seed production in the SAU, CSKHPKV, Palampur submitted to Japan International Cooperative Agency (JICA) through HP Crop Diversification Promotion Project.
Dr Sharma was associated with over a dozen ICAR funded projects, notable Harmonizing biodiversity conservation and agricultural intensification through integration of plant, animal and fish genetic resources for livelihood security in fragile ecosystems, AIRCP on Breeder Seed Production and DNA fingerprinting of hybrids and landraces of important field crops of Himachal Pradesh and assessment of their genetic purity using molecular markers. Quality Seed Production & Planting Material in CSKHPKV.
Dr Sharma is also a Life member of Indian Society of Seed Technology, Indian Society of Genetics & Plant Breeding, New Delhi, Himachal Journal of Agricultural Research, CSKHPKV, Palampur and Organic Agricultural Society of India.
In his long Agri-research career, Dr Sharma has notably patented three Maize Varieties, namely, Ratti, HachhiKukadi and Chitku registered under PPV&FRA. The registration of two rice farmers’ varieties, namely, Karad and Sukara and one rajmash variety (Chamba rajmash) is also under active consideration.
Dr Sharma has been instrumental in establishing Agricultural College in Eritrea, N-E Africa during 2005 to 2007.
For his distinguish services in agri-research, he has been instrumental in conferring the Community Plant Savior Award for 2016 from Ministry of Agriculture, GOI to the farming community of Bhandal in Chamba recipient of Scientist of the year award (2008) by Society for Recent Advances in Agriculture. Fellow of the Society Award (2010) Indian Society of Agricultural Biochemists and Fellow of Indian Society of Seed Technology award (2018).
‘Uday’ variety of buckwheat was released in 2003 for cultivation in dry desert areas of North zone (State level). He also associated to produce nucleus, breeder and foundation seed of cereals, pulses, oilseed, vegetable and forage crop varieties.
Among many other responsibilities, few to mention are, he remained the Convener/Chairperson of the Task force of National evaluation cum Monitoring Team for AICRP-National Seed Project (Crops), ICAR Seed Technology Research, Breeder Seed Production, Tribal Sub Plan, ICAR Seed Project, Oilseed Project from 2012 to 2017; Chairperson of the North Zone Monitoring Team of Wheat & Barley; Member Central Sub Committee on Crop Standards, Notification & Release of Varieties for Agricultural Crops. MoA&FW, GOI, New Delhi (2014-18). Chairperson/Co Chairperson in many of International/National seminars/workshops etc.
