Present Chairman
Dr. Sukhpal Singh
Nativity: Village Bapiana Dist Mansa
Designation: Principal Economist & Former Head, Department of Economics and Sociology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana.
Qualifications:
i) MA, M. Phil, Ph. D (Economics).
ii) Post-Graduate Research at International Centre for Development Oriented Research in Agriculture (ICRA), Wageningen, Netherlands.
iii) Participatory Research at KN University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
Research Projects (20): Rural Suicides, Farm Debt, Rural Education, Depeasantisation, Rural Marketing and Farm Reforms.
Authored: 2 Research Books, 83 Research Bulletins/Reports, Over 200 Research/Policy Papers.
Research presentation at USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Netherlands, Germany, France, Belgium, Pakistan and Ghana.
Awards (12):German Fellowship Award by ICRA Netherlands. State Award by Pb Govt, Best Book Award by PAU Ludhiana, Anamitra Saha Award by ISAE, Dr MS Randhawa Award, Best Paper and Best Lecture Awards by many national and international societies.
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Ex-Chairmen
Avtar Singh Dhindsa
(07.01.2022 – 19.04.2022)
Graduated from Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) Ludhiana in January, 1979 after completing BSc. Agriculture and MSc. Floriculture. After brief managerial assignment with Hero Fibres Ltd., started landscaping consultancy and later joined as a Landscape Officer in Improvement Trust, Ludhiana.
After Initial success with the production of various kinds of flower seeds paved way to expand his business from 3.5 acres to 1500 acres. Today, with 800 acres under production in Punjab, has the biggest flower seed exporting company in the country to over 25 countries. The seeds produced by him are exported to various countries of Europe, USA and Japan, which has brought Punjab in the world map of flower seeds. Later in 1994, have also diversified into vegetable seeds production of OP and F1 seeds. Currently producing vegetable seeds in approximately 2500 -3000 acres depending on yearly orders for export only. Today his production programme is also located outside Punjab in the states of Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, J&K, Karnataka, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.
Ajay Vir Jakhar
(06.04.2017 – 20.09.2021)
Ajay Vir Jakhar is a citrus farmer based in Village: Maujgarh, Tehsil: Abohar, Dist.: Fazilka in Punjab, India. Is member of various co-operatives societies and actively participates in their activities.
He is Chairman of Bharat Krishak Samaj (Farmers’ Forum, India) which was formed in 1955 and is a non-political, non-sectarian association of farmers’ advocating for farmer prosperity. Regularly holds Seminars and Conferences on issues of relevance to the farming community and participates and speaks at various National and International Forums. His articles appear regularly in various newspapers and publications. Is the Editor of agriculture magazines; “Farmers’ Forum” and “Krishak Samachar” targeting farmers, policy makers and those that influence policy in India.
Passionately advocates policies for farmer prosperity, self-sustainability & equal opportunities. Enjoys walking and reading.
Gurcharan Singh Kalkat
(06.07.2005 – 10.03.2017)
Gurcharan Singh Kalkat was an Indian agricultural scientist and the founder chairman of the Punjab State Farmers Commission (PSFC), known for his contributions in bringing the green revolution to Punjab.
GS Kalkat is known to have initiated the cooperation between Punjab Agricultural University and the farmers for fast dissemination of modern agricultural methods. He is also credited with initiatives for coordination between the local cooperatives and the Punjab State Cooperative Marketing Federation for smooth disbursal of farming credits and supply of materials. During his stint as the agricultural commissioner, he got the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and National Seeds Corporation involved in various state level agricultural programmes. He has also worked with Norman Borlaug when the Nobel Laureate was working on high yielding wheat varieties in the 1960s
The Government of India awarded him the fourth highest Indian civilian honour of Padma Shri in 1981 and followed it up with the third highest Indian civilian award of Padma Bhushan in 2007.