Education: B.Sc. Agriculture (Hons) - 5 years (Hons), PAU, Ludhiana (1992); M.Sc. Agricultural Economics, PAU, Ludhiana (1994); Ph.D. Agricultural Economics, PAU, Ludhiana (2008)

Positions held: District Extension Specialist - Farm Management/ Assistant Farm Economist (01-01-1997 to 04-01-2006), Assistant Farm Economist (Selection Grade)/ Farm Economist/ Extension Specialist - Farm Management (05-01-2006 to till date)

Field of Specialization: Agricultural Economics, Farm Management

Research interests:

• To carry out economic surveys of important crops in the state and to provide feedback to PAU scientists on the basis of these surveys
• Identification of farming weaknesses and adoption gaps through field surveys
• To work out economics of different crops and farm enterprises

Research projects:

• Farm Advisory Service Scheme (Farm Management)
• Technology assessment and refinement (TAR) project under irrigated agro-eco regions of Punjab (1999-2003).
• Worked in ATMA project in Jalandhar district (January 2000 to October 2003).
• Estimation of biomass production, consumption and residue from crops in Punjab (05-04-2008 to 31-03-2009).
• Establishing and networking of market intelligence centres in India (20-04-2009 to 31-03-2014).
• Technology application and upscaling for sustaining natural resources and augmenting farm income: Farmers led market linked approach (Since 2017)

Selected Research Publications:

1. Agnotra K, Kumar R and Ranguwal S (2021) Sources, replacement of seed and adoption gaps in berseem fodder production in Punjab. Indian J Extension Education 57(2): 101-108. (NAAS: 5.95)

2. Kumar R and Sangeet 2019. Economic viability of crop diversification in Punjab. J Krishi Vigyan 8(1): 55-62. (NAAS: 4.41)

3. Saini R and Kumar R (2020) Income pattern and consumption behavior of farm households in Punjab. Agric Res J 57(6): 923-932. (NAAS: 4.71)

4. Saini R and Kumar R (2020) Determining the factors affecting investment in Punjab agriculture. Econ Affairs 65(4): 511-520. (NAAS: 4.82)

5. Sangeet R and Kumar R (2020) Bio-energy potential of crop residue in Indian Punjab. J Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry SP6: 418-423. (NAAS: 5.21)

6. Dhillon B S, Kumar R and Singh S (2020) Pulses cultivation in pre- and post-green revolution eras in Punjab. Agric Res J 57(3): 449-56. (NAAS: 4.71)

7. Dhillon B S, Singh J and Kumar R (2018) Political economy of MSP: Recent increase and implications in the context of Punjab. Agric Res J 55(3): 609-11. (NAAS: 4.71)

8. Singh N, Kumar R and Dhillon B S (2017) Status of small farming units and strategies for their sustainable development in India. OIDA International Journal of Sustainable Development 10 (10): 41-52. [online]

9. Singh, J, Kumar, R and Sidhu, J S (2012) Basmati price forecasting and its impact on growers’ income in Punjab. Journal of Agricultural Development & Policy 22: 31-38. (NAAS: 3.3)

Awards/Honours/Distinctions

• Appreciation Certificate for Outsatnding Work of Extension Education at Kisan Mela held at PAU, Ludhiana on March 15-16, 2019
• Appreciation Letter from Dean PGS & Chairperson, PAU Investment Committee for laudable efforts in administration of University's finances and reddesigning the interest payment process of GPF/CPF accounts.
• Merit certificate in M.Sc. Agricultural Economics.
• Won ‘Second Prize’ in the state for commendable work done in popularization of PAU, publications for the year 1996-97.
• Won ‘First Prize’ for commendable work done in popularization of PAU, Publications for the year 1997-98.
• Won ‘Second Prize’ for organizing an exhibition at the State level Kisan Mela held at PAU, Ludhiana on March 22-23, 2003.
• Secured 3^rd position in organizing an Exhibition at State level Kisan Mela held at PAU, Ludhiana on March 22-23, 1997.