Rocktim Baruah | Horticulture | Best Extension Activity Award

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Mr. Rocktim Baruah | Horticulture | Best Extension Activity Award

Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Golaghat India

Rocktim Baruah, currently serving as a Subject Matter Specialist (Horticulture) at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Baksa, Assam Agricultural University, is a committed agricultural scientist focusing on rural upliftment through innovative horticultural interventions. He completed his B.Sc. (Agriculture) in 2018 and M.Sc. (Agriculture) in 2020, both with distinction from Assam Agricultural University. He qualified the ICAR-SRF and briefly pursued research at GB Pant University before joining AAU’s KVK system in 2022. With key roles in nationally and internationally funded projects, he is actively promoting high-value crops like dragon fruit, strawberries, and biofortified vegetables. He has authored books, published research, and developed successful on-ground demonstrations impacting farmers’ livelihoods. As a life member of the Society for Horticultural Research and Development, his mission is to strengthen food security and enhance farmer incomes through need-based training, disease-resistant varieties, and entrepreneurship support. His practical, grassroots-level initiatives reflect a strong commitment to agricultural extension and community empowerment.

Profile

Orcid

🎓 Education 

Rocktim Baruah earned his B.Sc. (Agriculture) from the College of Agriculture, Jorhat, under Assam Agricultural University in 2018 with an impressive CGPA of 8.14 and distinction. Building upon his academic excellence, he pursued M.Sc. (Agriculture) from the same university, graduating with distinction in 2020. His commitment to higher education was further evident when he cleared the prestigious ICAR-SRF and joined GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology to pursue advanced research. Throughout his academic journey, Rocktim demonstrated a strong foundation in agricultural sciences with a special interest in horticulture and rural development. His academic background equipped him with the technical know-how and field knowledge to implement transformative agricultural extension strategies. With hands-on experiences in both research and community engagement, his education provided the platform for launching various high-impact projects in Assam’s farming districts. His educational journey reflects consistent academic performance, scientific rigor, and a practical orientation toward improving rural livelihoods.

💼 Experience 

Rocktim Baruah began his professional journey in 2022 as a Subject Matter Specialist (Horticulture) at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Baksa under Assam Agricultural University. Since then, he has played a pivotal role in multiple agricultural extension and research initiatives targeting farmer welfare and community development. His responsibilities include implementing frontline demonstrations, conducting need-based training programs, and facilitating on-farm testing of advanced technologies. He has also been a key player in several government and internationally funded projects, including DBT’s Biotech-Kisan Hub and TERI’s agroforestry initiatives. As the Nodal Officer and Associated Scientist, he guided programs on mushroom cultivation, agroforestry, and regenerative agriculture, contributing directly to livelihood enhancement. Rocktim’s field experience extends to empowering entrepreneurs, introducing disease-resistant varieties, and promoting biofortified crops. His dynamic engagement with the farming community, along with his ability to translate research into practice, has made him an effective agent of rural transformation. His service continues to positively impact farmer productivity and income.

🏅 Awards and Honors 

Rocktim Baruah has consistently demonstrated excellence in academics and extension work, earning accolades throughout his academic and professional journey. He graduated with distinction in both B.Sc. and M.Sc. (Agriculture), highlighting his strong academic commitment. He cleared the competitive ICAR-SRF examination, marking him among the top agricultural scholars in the country. Professionally, he has been entrusted with leading roles in prestigious national projects funded by DBT and TERI, indicating the trust placed in his capabilities by reputed institutions. His publications include two ISBN-registered books focusing on district-level entrepreneurship and resource inventory, further emphasizing his contribution to knowledge dissemination. His achievements include successful dissemination of biofortified crop varieties and setting up livelihood programs that reached a wide community base. He holds life membership in the Society for Horticultural Research and Development. These recognitions and roles reflect not only his scientific aptitude but also his commitment to rural development and impactful field-based interventions.

🔬 Research Focus 

Rocktim Baruah’s research focuses on empowering rural communities through the introduction of high-value horticultural crops such as exotic fruits (dragon fruit, strawberry), biofortified vegetables, and ornamental flowers. His work emphasizes sustainable livelihood generation by integrating scientific innovation with grassroots needs. He actively engages in field-level interventions through projects funded by national and international agencies like DBT and TERI. His research also targets disease-resistant varieties in crops like tomato and chilli, reducing input costs and improving yield. Rocktim has a strong interest in agroforestry, regenerative agriculture, and mushroom-based rural entrepreneurship, aiming to boost food security and income diversification. He combines research with extension by conducting need-based training, technology demonstrations, and vocational skill development. His projects have significantly influenced horizontal adoption of technologies across farming communities, particularly in Assam’s Baksa district. Rocktim’s approach blends scientific research with social innovation, ensuring that his contributions benefit both academic circles and the communities he serves.

📝 Conclusion

Mr. Rocktim Baruah demonstrates a strong alignment with the values and goals of the Best Extension Activity Award through his grassroots involvement, farmer-oriented interventions, and passion for horticultural advancement. His practical contributions, capacity-building efforts, and effective coordination of extension projects highlight his significant role in improving rural livelihoods in Assam. With further emphasis on impact documentation and academic dissemination, he holds immense potential to be a leading figure in agricultural extension. Therefore, he is a deserving and highly recommended candidate for this recognition.

Publication

  1. Title: Entrepreneurs of Baksa District
    Year: 2025
    Contributors: Rocktim Baruah
    Type: Book
    ISBN: 978-93-342-2520-4

 

  1. Title: Recycling Horticultural Waste into Animal Feed
    Year: 2025
    Contributors: Rocktim Baruah
    Type: Magazine Article (Agriculture and Food: E-Newsletter)
    ISSN: 2581-8317

 

  1. Title: Performance Evaluation of Lakhimi Cattle under Traditional Rearing System of Assam
    Year: 2024
    Contributors: Rocktim Baruah
    Type: Journal Article
    ISSN: 0973-2004

 

  1. Title: Resource Inventory of Baksa District
    Year: 2024
    Contributors: Rocktim Baruah
    Type: Book
    ISBN: 978-93-6076-296-4

 

  1. Title: Evaluation of Biofortified Sweet Potato Varieties for Their Growth, Yield and Economic Performance under Assam Condition
    Year: 2024
    Contributors: Rocktim Baruah, Nishita Pathak, Manoranjan Neog, Utpal Jyoti Sarma
    Type: Journal Article (Asian Journal of Agricultural Extension, Economics & Sociology)
    DOI: 10.9734/ajaees/2024/v42i52441
    ISSN: 2320-7027

 

  1. Title: Homolomena aromatica – A Commercially Exploited Plant from Natural Habitat
    Year: 2023
    Contributors: Rocktim Baruah
    Type: Magazine Article (Agri Mirror: Future India)
    ISSN: 2582-6980

 

  1. Title: High Value Horticulture Crops: An Intervention for Economic Upliftment of Farmers
    Year: 2023
    Contributors: Rocktim Baruah
    Type: Magazine Article (Agriculture and Food: E-Newsletter)
    ISSN: 2581-8317

 

  1. Title: Millets: From “Poor Man’s Cereal” to “Smart Food”
    Year: 2023
    Contributors: Rocktim Baruah
    Type: Magazine Article (Agriculture and Food: E-Newsletter)
    ISSN: 2581-8317

 

  1. Title: Evaluation of Gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus) Cultivars for Performance and Correlation in Vegetative, Floral and Multiplication Characters under Paired-Row System
    Year: 2022
    Contributors: Rocktim Baruah, Sunil Bora
    Type: Journal Article (Current Horticulture)
    DOI: 10.5958/2455-7560.2022.000097
    ISSN: 2347-7377 / 2455-7560

 

  1. Title: Natural Farming – The Next Green Revolution?
    Year: 2022
    Contributors: Rocktim Baruah
    Type: Magazine Article (Agriculture and Environment: E-Newsletter)

 

  1. Title: Growth Performance of Some Gladiolus Cultivars in Paired Row System
    Year: 2020
    Contributors: Rocktim Baruah
    Type: Dissertation or Thesis

 

 

Soheila Afkar | Medicinal Plants | Women Researcher Award

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Assist Prof Dr Soheila Afkar | Medicinal Plants | Women Researcher Award

Assist Prof Dr Soheila Afkar, Payame Noor University, Iran

Soheila Afkar is a distinguished plant biotechnologist born in Khorramabad, Iran. She currently serves as the Head of the Faculty of Agriculture at Payame Noor University and an Assistant Professor in Plant Breeding. Dr. Afkar’s career spans academic leadership, teaching, and extensive research. Her work focuses on plant genetics, particularly in medicinal plants like peppermint, and she has been involved in various national and international research projects. Her leadership in academia and commitment to advancing plant science make her a notable figure in her field.

Publication Profile

Google scholar

Strengths for the Award

  1. Diverse Educational Background:
    • Dr. Afkar has a robust educational foundation, with degrees spanning from B.Sc. to Ph.D. in relevant fields such as Agronomy, Plant Breeding, and Biotechnology. This diverse academic background indicates a broad understanding of her research domain.
  2. Significant Research Contributions:
    • Her research on peppermint (Mentha piperita) and Festuca arundinacea reflects significant contributions to plant genetics and biotechnology. The detailed studies on gene expression and essential oil composition are valuable to both academic research and practical applications in agriculture.
  3. Recognized Academic Excellence:
    • Dr. Afkar has achieved high ranks in her academic assessments and has been recognized as the top student in her M.Sc. program. These achievements underscore her strong academic prowess and commitment.
  4. Leadership and Teaching Experience:
    • As the Head of the Faculty of Agriculture and an Assistant Professor at Payame Noor University, Dr. Afkar has demonstrated leadership and a commitment to education. Her experience in leading workshops and teaching a wide array of courses adds to her qualifications.
  5. Research and Publication Record:
    • She has an extensive list of publications in reputable journals, reflecting her active research career. Her work covers a range of topics from gene expression to plant physiology, indicating a well-rounded research profile.
  6. Professional Engagement:
    • Her roles as a referee for various conferences and journals show her involvement in the academic community and her contribution to the peer review process.

Areas for Improvement

  1. Broader International Exposure:
    • While Dr. Afkar has international experience, particularly her sabbatical at the University of Tübingen, increasing collaborative research with international institutions could further enhance her profile and impact.
  2. Interdisciplinary Research:
    • Expanding her research to include more interdisciplinary approaches could strengthen her contributions. For example, integrating aspects of environmental science or biotechnology with her current focus might open new avenues for impactful research.
  3. Grants and Funding:
    • There is no mention of securing significant research grants or funding. Gaining more experience in this area could provide additional resources for her research projects and increase her influence in the field.
  4. Broader Dissemination of Research:
    • While she has numerous publications, exploring more high-impact journals or engaging in broader dissemination channels (e.g., public science outreach) could further raise her profile.

 

Education

Soheila Afkar holds a B.Sc. in Agronomy & Plant Breeding from the University of Lorestan, Iran. She pursued her M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Plant Breeding and Biotechnology, respectively, at the University of Tarbiat Modares, Iran. Additionally, she completed a sabbatical leave in Molecular Biology at the University of Tübingen, Germany. Her doctoral research focused on menthol biosynthesis in peppermint, showcasing her expertise in plant genetics and biotechnology.

Experience

Dr. Afkar has extensive academic and professional experience. She is the Head of the Faculty of Agriculture at Payame Noor University, where she has been instrumental in shaping the agricultural curriculum. She also teaches a wide range of courses, including molecular genetics and plant breeding. Her prior roles include Supervisor Engineer at the Agricultural Organization of Lorestan Province and Executive Head of “Mazrae Gostare Falak”. She has also led workshops on agricultural research tools and techniques.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Afkar has achieved notable recognition throughout her career. She ranked fourth in the Iran Universities M.Sc. Entrance Examination, first in her M.Sc. program, and second in her Ph.D. program. These accolades highlight her exceptional academic performance and dedication to her field. Her achievements underscore her contributions to plant genetics and biotechnology, marking her as a leading researcher and educator.

Research Focus

Dr. Afkar’s research focuses on plant genetics and biotechnology, particularly in medicinal plants like peppermint. Her work includes studying gene expression in response to environmental factors and analyzing essential oil compositions. She has made significant contributions to understanding menthol biosynthesis and genetic diversity in plants. Her research aims to advance plant breeding techniques and improve crop productivity and resilience.

Publication Top Notes

Assessment of variability of lentil genotypes for agronomic traits using multivariate analyses

The study of genetic diversity, heritability and genetic advance of morphological traits, yield and yield components in different chickpea (Cicer arietinum) genotypes

Influence of methyl jasmonate on menthol production and gene expression in peppermint (Mentha X piperita L.)

Evaluation of essential oil composition and antibacterial effect of Mentha longifolia collected from different region of Lorestan province.

Genetic relationships of some mint species using seed storage protein pattern

Conclusion

Soheila Afkar’s qualifications, including her impressive academic achievements, extensive research contributions, and leadership roles, position her as a strong candidate for the Research for Women Researcher Award. Her expertise in plant genetics and biotechnology, coupled with her commitment to education and professional engagement, highlights her significant impact in her field. Addressing areas for improvement, such as increasing international collaborations and securing more funding, could further strengthen her candidacy and amplify her contributions to science.