PAU agronomist honoured for outstanding sugarcane research

Ludhiana, March 26, 2015: Dr Kuldeep Singh, Agronomist, PAU Regional Station, Faridkot has been conferred with “Sir T.S. Venkatraman Award” for outstanding sugarcane research for the biennium 2012-2013 and for his significant contributions to the sugarcane production. Dr K. Mohan Naidu, Ex- Director, Sugarcane Breeding Institute (SBI); and Dr Bakshi Ram, Director, SBI presented this award to Dr Singh during the foundation day celebrations of SBI, Coimbatore on March 23, 2015. The award carries a citation and a cash prize of Rs 25,000. Besides, Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon, Vice-Chancellor, PAU presented “Appreciation Certificate” to Dr Singh at University Kisan Mela on March 20.

Dr B.S. Dhillon, PAU VC and Dr Balwinder Singh, Director of Research congratulated Dr Singh for his achievements. Dr Singh has been instrumental in the development and recommendation of ten improved sugarcane production technologies. Recommendation of chiseling (sub soiling) has been widely adopted by the farmers. Besides, his findings of paired row trench planting and planting of sugarcane in furrows of standing wheat sown on beds by FIRB method have gained momentum, and helped in saving irrigation water. He has also played a key role in the release/recommendation of five sugarcane varieties in the Punjab state. Dr Singh has published 35 research papers in referred journals, 42 papers in seminars/symposia and 28 extension articles in University magazines/ leading newspapers. He has worked as a visiting scientist at The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia on the project “Recent approaches to improve nitrogen use efficiency in sugarcane.”

In addition, Dr Singh is a recipient of UGC competitive grant for a major research project on “Resource use efficiency and biomass production in sugarcane under low nitrogen conditions.” He is also involved in transfer of improved sugarcane production technologies to the farmers through TV and live radio talks, lectures and trainings.