Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar: 21 March 2026:- The 13th International Conference on Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry and Allied Sciences for Sustainable Himalayan Ecosystems concluded successfully in Shimla, which saw a huge participation of more than 1,000 delegates from India and abroad. The conference, organized under the leadership of Dr. Manisha Thapliyal, Director, Himachal Forest Research Centre Shimla, proved to be an important milestone in promoting sustainable agriculture and allied practices in the Himalayan region.
On this occasion, Dr. Amrik Singh, Cane Commissioner Punjab was honored with the Innovative Extension Pedagogical Award by Dr. Mahavir Singh, Vice Chancellor, Himachal Pradesh University Shimla, for his unique agricultural extension services being rendered in the interest of farmers. The conference was jointly organized by Himachal Forest Research Institute, Shimla and National Medicinal Plants Board (Government of India) in association with Indian Society of Agriculture Horticulture Society, New Delhi, and Just Agriculture Communications Group.
On this occasion, Sanjay Chauhan, Chairman, Himachal Pradesh State Cooperative Agriculture and Rural Development Bank, Dr. Manisha Thapiyal, Director, Dr. Pawan Kumar, Registrar, CCS Khetibari University, Hisar, Dr. DPS Badwal, CEO, Just Magazine were also present.
Dr. Amrik Singh is serving as the Cane Commissioner, Punjab. He is making a valuable contribution to raising the standard of agriculture in Punjab. He did his school education from Government High School, Kalanaur, District Gurdaspur, B.Sc. Agriculture from Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, M.Sc. Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore and PhD (Crop Science) from Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar. He served as Agricultural Development Officer for 26 years from 1990 to 2016, and as Agriculture Officer from 2016 to 2021.
Dr. Amrik Singh has also served as Chief Agriculture Officer, Pathankot, Faridkot and Gurdaspur. He has contributed significantly in bringing the incidence of paddy stubble fire to zero in district Pathankot. During the year 2023-24, he conducted an awareness campaign in district Gurdaspur in a very systematic manner and due to the extension services he provided, a 57 percent reduction in the incidence of paddy stubble fire was recorded.
Talking about the achievements of Dr. Amrik Singh for his excellent extension services for the welfare of farmers of North India, he has been honored with the State Award by the Punjab Government in the year 2017, the Best Extension Worker by Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana three times, the Excellence in Extension Services Award by the Gujarat Government at an international conference in the year 2023, the Excellence in Extension Services Award by Astha Foundation Meerut (UP) and District Administrations Gurdaspur and Pathankot.
Under the leadership of Dr. Amrik Singh, the Office of the Sugarcane Commissioner, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department, Punjab is making serious efforts to increase the area under sugarcane crop in Punjab. He is using social media to connect farmers, especially young farmers, with agriculture and strengthen them technically, promote organic farming, connect young farmers with agricultural allied occupations, and protect the environment and natural resources.
He is directly providing technical tips to more than fifty thousand farmers through WhatsApp app. Dr. Amrik Singh is also running a YouTube channel named “Uttam Kheti Punjab” which has 9535 young farmer members and this channel has been viewed 37 lakh 97 thousand times by young farmers and has 8038 followers on Facebook.
He said that this award is dedicated to my parents and the farmers of Punjab and this has given more encouragement to serve the farmers of Punjab. He said that this award is not mine but the honor of the farmers of entire Punjab, who have given full support in every work.