Krishi Jagran FB Live Series: A Talk on “Indian Rainfed Agriculture-Challenges & Opportunities” with Dr. J S Sandhu

India is an agrarian country with 118.7 million farmers where more than half of its population depends upon agriculture as their primary source of income. Moreover with the production of agriculture activity of $375.61 billion, India is the 2nd largest producer of agriculture product with 7.39 percent of total global agricultural output after China. However, a large number of farmer’s population still relies on rainfall as the primary source of water for their farm lands. Although, the government has been initiating different schemes for irrigation, still farmers mainly depend on rainfed agriculture which comes with many opportunities as well as challenges.   

To analyze this issue of rainfed agriculture, its challenges and opportunities, Krishi Jagran Facebook LIVE brings you an opportunity to meet Dr. J S Sandhu, Vice Chancellor of SKN Agriculture University, Jober who will enlighten this long pending issue of Indian agriculture scenario. 

Through Krishi Jagran Facebook Live Series, you will be able to meet different notable personalities from the field of agriculture and explore the world of agriculture amid lockdown in the comfort of your homes. In this series, Dr. J S Sandhu, Vice Chancellor of SKN Agriculture University, Jober, is going to join us at 11.00 AM on live where he will enlighten the viewers on “Indian Rainfed Agriculture-Challenges and Opportunities”. 

About Dr. J S Sandhu 

Prof. Jeet Singh Sandhu, Vice Chancellor, SKN Agriculture University 

Professor Jeet Singh Sandhu, renowned agricultural scientist and research manager has been appointed as Hon' ble Vice Chancellor, SKNAU, Jobner. Born on 1st August 1955 at Sriganga Nagar, Rajasthan, Dr Sandhu graduated from University of Rajasthan, Jaipur in 1978 and obtained Master’s in 1982  and  Ph.D.  degree  in  1985  in  Plant  Breeding  from Govind  Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar. 

Prior to this, Dr Sandhu served the Apex Agricultural Research organization of  India,  Indian  Council  of  Agricultural  Research (ICAR), New  Delhi  as  Deputy Director General (crop Science) and Assistant Director General (Seeds).   

He also served as Agriculture Commissioner, Government of India in between above positions. Prof. Sandhu started his research carrier from premier agricultural institution, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, as Research Fellow since July 1985and worked there in various capacities as Assistant Plant Breeder, Pulse Breeder and Senior Pulse breeder cum Incharge, Pulses Section, and Department of Plant Breeding & Genetics.  

He has also served as the In-charge, Seed Production as Additional duty, Regional Research Station, PAU, Bathinda. He has developed  23  varieties  of  different  pulse  crops  and published  229  research articles in scientific journal of national and international reputes.  

He also served as Chairman, Central Sub-Committee for crop Standards, Notification and Release of Varieties for Agricultural Crops and Central Insecticide Board and Registration Committee and a member of various important committees like PPVFRA, RCGM, GEAC, Saarc Regional Gene Bank and Board of Management of Agricultural Universities, India etc. Dr Sandhu was also Member of various Steering Committees of ACIAR, ICRISAT, IRRI, BISA and BRICS etc to develop the joint work plans and research strategies. He was also involved to develop various policy documents. He has visited more than dozen foreign countries being part of Indian delegations for International cooperation. 

Prof. Sandhu also served the professional societies, as President, Indian Society of Genetics & Plant Breeding, New Delhi, President & Vice president, Indian Society of Pulses Research and Development  (ISPRD), Kanpur,  Vice  President, Indian  Society of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi and Chairman, Editorial board, Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences.