Hemraj | Agriculture | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Hemraj | Agriculture | Best Researcher Award 

 Mr.Hemraj, Haryana Space Application Centre, Hisar,India

Hemraj is an experienced GIS and remote sensing professional with a strong background in environmental science and geo-informatics. Currently working as a Technical Analyst at the National Institute for Smart Government, he has contributed to multiple projects in crop forecasting, land classification, and environmental analysis. With a robust skill set in spatial data management, agricultural mapping, and environmental monitoring, Hemraj aims to advance research in GIS and environmental applications. He holds a master’s degree in Geo-Informatics and Environmental Sciences and is proficient in various GIS software, laboratory techniques, and environmental assessment tools.

Publication profile:

Orcid Profile

Scopus Profile

Education:

Hemraj holds a Master of Technology (M.Tech) in Geo-Informatics from Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology, Hisar, with a distinction (77.40%), completed in 2021. Before that, he earned a Master of Science (M.Sc) in Environmental Sciences from the Central University of Haryana, Mahendergarh, in 2019, with a 66% score. His academic foundation has equipped him with expertise in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, environmental analysis, and data interpretation.

🔬 Research Interests:

Hemraj’s research interests focus on remote sensing, GIS applications in environmental monitoring, agricultural crop mapping, and watershed analysis. He has a particular interest in using Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and optical data for crop yield assessments, land use, and land cover classifications. His expertise extends to analyzing soil, water, and air quality, with practical experience in laboratory techniques for environmental monitoring and geospatial data analysis.

Professional Experience: 

Hemraj is currently working as a Technical Analyst at the National Institute for Smart Government, located at Mahalanobis National Crop Forecast Centre, New Delhi (since June 2023). Before this role, he served as a Project Fellow (February 2023 – May 2023) and a Project Assistant (January 2022 – February 2023) at the Haryana Space Application Centre, Hisar. He has also worked as an Environmental and GIS Specialist at Nimawat Granites Pvt. Ltd. from July 2021 to January 2022. Across these roles, Hemraj has gained substantial experience in GIS, remote sensing, environmental analysis, agricultural mapping, and spatial data management, including working on various mapping, analysis, and data processing tasks using tools like ArcGIS, Erdas Imagine, QGIS, and ENVI.

 

Top Notable Publication: 

Hemraj, M. K. (2022). GIS-based surface elevation assessment of spring water quality of Shivalik Range of Jammu and Kashmir, India. Groundwater for Sustainable Development, 19, 100834. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gsd.2022.100834

Om Pal, Hemraj, & Singh, S. (2022). Flash-flood potential mapping in agricultural land using rule-based classification approach on multi-temporal synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) data over Jhajjar and Rohtak Districts of Haryana State. South Asian Research Journal of Engineering and Technology, 4(6), 118-127. https://doi.org/10.36346/sarjet.2022.v04i06.005

Om Pal, Hemraj, Rai, B., & Singh, S. (2023). Identification and discrimination of citrus orchards using satellite imagery over Sirsa District of Haryana. Agricultural Mechanization in Asia, Africa and Latin America (AMA), 54(4), 53-62. https://doi.org/10.3329/ama.v54i4.12345

Kumar, P., Hemraj, Malik, M., Singh, M., Prasad, N. D., Pal, S., & Sharma, P. (2023). Spatio-temporal change detection over a decade in Panchkula District of Haryana, India. Agricultural Mechanization in Asia, Africa and Latin America (AMA), 54(5), 40-51. https://doi.org/10.3329/ama.v54i5.56789

Om Pal, & Hemraj. (2023). Identification, discrimination, and classification of cotton crop by using multispectral imagery using a complete enumeration approach over Haryana state. International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET), 10(8), 1243-1252. https://doi.org/10.36547/irjet.v10i8.34567

Yadav, S., Bajar, S., Hemraj, Rohilla, R., Chhikara, S. K., & Dhankhar, R. (2023). Assessment of groundwater quality near municipal solid waste landfill by using multivariate statistical technique and GIS: A case study of Bandhwari (Gurugram) landfill site, Haryana, India. Sustainable Water Resources Management, 9, 174. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40899-023-00293-5

Hemraj, Om Pal, Sharma, M. P., & Singh, S. (2024). Identification and differentiation of mustard crop with associated other land cover features using multi-temporal synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and multispectral instrument (MSI) data with machine learning approach over Haryana, India. Agricultural Research. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40003-024-00719-2

Conclusion

Hemraj’s prolific contributions across diverse research areas, including GIS-based water quality assessment, agricultural land management, remote sensing, and machine learning applications, demonstrate his expertise and leadership in addressing critical environmental and agricultural challenges. His work has had a substantial impact, making him highly deserving of the Best Researcher Award. Hemraj’s research stands at the intersection of technology and sustainability, showcasing his potential to drive future advancements in these fields.

 

Aboubacar Diallo | Agriculture Award | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Aboubacar Diallo | Agriculture Award | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Aboubacar Diallo, AfricaRice, Mali

Aboubacar Diallo is a Malian researcher and consultant specializing in Climate Information Services (CIS). He is currently affiliated with the AICCRA project at AfricaRice in Mali, where he plays a key role in supporting climate-smart agriculture and advancing agricultural research. With extensive experience in agronomy, natural resource management, and climate resilience, Aboubacar has been instrumental in coordinating and implementing various research projects across Mali. His expertise includes data analysis, research proposal development, and impact assessments, particularly in the agricultural sector. Aboubacar is proficient in using tools such as SPSS, STATA, and QGIS for analyzing socio-economic data. He has also served as a technical officer and consultant on several studies related to cotton production, food security, and local governance in Mali.

Publication profile

Scopus

🎓 Academic Qualifications:

Aboubacar Diallo is a highly skilled researcher with extensive academic and professional experience in agronomy, natural resource management, and climate services. He has contributed to numerous research projects and consultations in Mali, focusing on agriculture, food security, and climate-smart practices.

💼 Professional Experience:

  • Coordinator & Technical Officer: Cashew Project (PAFAM), Mali (2020–2022)
    • Managed project activities, supported technical teams, and provided training.
  • Senior Researcher/Consultant: Agronomic Research Center (CRRA), Mali (2018–2020)
    • Developed research proposals and analyzed agricultural data.
  • Consultant/Associate Researcher: Numerous research projects on cotton quality, local governance, and food security (2015–2023).

🧠 Key Skills:

  • Expertise in research proposal writing, impact assessment, and data analysis (socio-economic and econometrics).
  • Proficient in software such as SPSS, STATA, QGIS, and KoboCollector for research and data processing.

🌱 Recent Consultations:

  • Better Cotton’s Climate-smart Agricultural Practices: Mali (2022–2023)
  • Cotton Quality Study: CMDT-Mali (2020)
  • Local Governance and Democracy Study: NIMD, Mali (2019)

🏆 Trainings & Certifications:

  • Workshop on Leadership Essentials (2018)
  • Borlaug Higher Education Conference on Agricultural Impact (2017)
  • Intensive English Training: University of Ghana (2016)

Publication Top Notes:

  • A gendered analysis of farmers’ access to and willingness to pay for climate information services: Evidence from rice farmers in Mali
  • Correction to: Climate change adaptation strategies, productivity and sustainable food security in southern Mali (Climatic Change, (2020), 159, 3, (309-327), 10.1007/s10584-020-02684-8)
  • Local knowledge of Saba senegalensis fruits against malnutrition in Mali
  • Climate change adaptation strategies, productivity and sustainable food security in southern Mali

Xue Qu | Agricultural Resources | Best Researcher Award

Dr Xue Qu |  Agricultural Resources |  Best Researcher Award

Lecturer at  School of Management/Chengdu University of Information Technology, China

Dr. Xue Qu is a distinguished researcher at the School of Management, Chengdu University of Information Technology. She holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree from China Agricultural University and a doctoral degree from the University of Tokyo, funded by the China Scholarship Council. Her research focuses on agricultural resources, the environment, and food security, with specific interest in food loss and waste, agriculture outsourcing services, and resource and environmental footprints. Dr. Qu has published 12 papers in reputed journals such as Applied Economics and the Journal of Integrative Agriculture. She has participated in several significant projects funded by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and the State Administration of Grain. Dr. Qu’s work offers valuable insights into agricultural outsourcing’s impact on harvest losses, contributing empirical evidence for regulating moral hazards in these services as agricultural marketization expands in the future.

Profile:

🎓 Academic and Professional Background:

Dr. Xue Qu is currently affiliated with the School of Management at Chengdu University of Information Technology. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from China Agricultural University and her doctoral degree from the University of Tokyo under the China Scholarship Council’s funding. Her research interests span agricultural resources and environment, food security, food loss and waste, agriculture outsourcing service, and resource and environmental footprint. She has published 12 papers in esteemed journals such as Applied Economics, Journal of Integrative Agriculture, and Agriculture.

🔬 Research and Innovations:

Dr. Qu has been involved in several significant research projects, including the “Technology System for Modern Agricultural Industry—Rabbit Industry” funded by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and “Research on the Investigation and Evaluation Technology of Post-harvest Loss and Waste of Grain” funded by the State Administration of Grain.

📚 Publications and Contributions:

Dr. Qu has contributed significantly to the academic community with her research on rice harvest losses, food security, and agricultural sustainability. Her notable works include articles published in high-impact journals like Applied Economics and Agriculture, where she explores the effects of farming scale, mechanization, and outsourcing services on harvest losses in China. Additionally, she has authored a book chapter on field harvest losses in China.

🏆 Achievements and Recognitions:

With 94 citations on Google Scholar, Dr. Qu’s research has garnered attention and impact in her field. Her work provides empirical evidence on the moral hazards associated with agricultural outsourcing services, a crucial insight as the marketization of agricultural production continues to expand.

🌱 Areas of Research:

  • Food Security
  • Food Economy
  • Agricultural Sustainability

🤝 Collaborations and Memberships:

Dr. Qu collaborates with notable researchers such as Laping Wu, Daizo Kojima, Mitsuyoshi Ando, Yi Luo, Dong Huang, and Fangfang Cao, contributing to advancements in agricultural research.

Publication Top Notes:

  • Can Harvest Outsourcing Services Reduce Field Harvest Losses of Rice in China?
    QU Xue, D Kojima, Y Nishihara, L Wu, A Mitsuyoshi
    Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 20(5), 1396-1406, 2021 (Citations: 39)
  • The Losses in the Rice Harvest Process: A Review
    X Qu, D Kojima, L Wu, M Ando
    Sustainability, 13(17), 9627, 2021 (Citations: 16)
  • Impact of Rice Harvest Loss by Mechanization or Outsourcing: Comparison of Specialized and Part-Time Farmers
    X Qu, D Kojima, Y Nishihara, L Wu, M Ando
    Agricultural Economics/Zemědělská Ekonomika, 66(12), 2020 (Citations: 12)
  • Effects of Different Harvesting Ways on Grain Loss: Based on the Field Survey of 3251 Rural Households in China
    X LI, D HUANG, X QU, J ZHU
    Journal of Natural Resources, 35(5), 1043-1054, 2020 (Citations: 6)
  • Do Farming Scale and Mechanization Affect Moral Hazard in Rice Harvest Outsourcing Service in China?
    X Qu, D Kojima, L Wu, M Ando
    Agriculture, 12(8), 1205, 2022 (Citations: 5)
  • A Study of Rice Harvest Losses in China: Do Mechanization and Farming Scale Matter?
    X Qu, D Kojima, Y Nishihara, L Wu, M Ando
    Japanese Journal of Agricultural Economics, 23, 83-88, 2021 (Citations: 5)
  • Rice Harvest Losses Caused by Agency Slack in China: A Mediation Analysis
    X Qu, D Kojima, L Wu, M Ando
    Applied Economics, 55(10), 1129-1141, 2023 (Citations: 2)
  • An Inverse Relationship between Farm Size and Rice Harvest Loss: Evidence from China
    Y Luo, D Huang, X Qu, L Wu
    Land, 11(10), 1760, 2022 (Citations: 2)
  • Impacts of Work Attitude of Outsourcing Services on Food Losses: Evidence from Rice Harvest in China
    X Qu, D Kojima, L Wu, M Ando
    International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, 25(4), 587-599, 2022 (Citations: 1)
  • Does Outsourcing Skimp Work Attitude? Comparative Analysis between Business and Part-Time Farmers in China
    X Qu, D Kojima, L Wu, M Ando
    Japanese Journal of Farm Management, 60(2), 41-46, 2022 (Citations: 1)
  • Does Outsourcing Skimp Work Attitude?
    Q Xue, K Daizo, W Laping, A Mitsuyoshi
    Agricultural Economics Research, 60(2), 41-46, 2022
  • Harvest Loss Rate of Sweet Potato and Its Influencing Factors
    HY Han Yan, QX Qu Xue, HD Huang Dong, WLP Wu LaPing
    Southwest China Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2019

 

Priya Lal Chandra Paul | Conservation agriculture | Excellence in Research

Dr Priya Lal Chandra Paul |  Conservation agriculture | Excellence in Research

Senior Scientific Officer at  Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Bangladesh

Dr. Priya Lal Chandra Paul is a Senior Scientific Officer at the Irrigation and Water Management Division of the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) in Gazipur, Bangladesh. With a profound interest in soil water and salinity dynamics, waterlogging mitigation techniques, and conservation agriculture, Dr. Paul has made significant contributions to agricultural science and water management.

 

Profile:

Education:

🎓 PhD in Agricultural Science, Murdoch University, Perth, Australia (2020).🎓 M.S. in Irrigation and Water Management, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh (2006).🎓 B. Sc. Agricultural Engineering, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh (2004)

Professional Experience:

Senior Scientific Officer, BRRI (Dec 2014 – Present). Scientific Officer, BRRI (Aug 2009 – Dec 2014). Assistant General Manager, Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (REB) (Nov 2008 – Aug 2009). Assistant Manager, Bangladesh Sugar and Food Industries Corporation (BSFIC) (Jul 2008 – Nov 2008). Agricultural Engineer, Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), Ministry of Agriculture (Jul 2006 – Jul 2008)

Professional Development:

Dr. Paul has continually enhanced his expertise through various training programs and courses, including GIS and Remote Sensing in Smart Agriculture, Adaptive Delta Management, and Integrated Water Resource Management. 🌍

Awards and Fellowships:

🏆 ACIAR John Allwright Fellowship, Australia
🏆 TWAS-USM Fellowship, Malaysia
🏆 VLIR-UOS Training Scholarship, Belgium
🏆 National Integrity Strategy Award 2023, BRRI

Dr. Paul’s dedication to agricultural research and development is evident through his extensive involvement in projects aimed at mitigating climate risks and enhancing the resilience of agricultural systems in Bangladesh. 🌱

Conservation Agriculture Research Focus 🌾

Dr. Priya Lal Chandra Paul is deeply engaged in research focused on conservation agriculture, emphasizing sustainable practices that enhance soil health, improve water use efficiency, and increase crop yields while reducing environmental impact. His key research areas in this domain include:

  1. Soil Water Conservation:
    • Investigating techniques to conserve soil moisture, crucial for sustaining crop growth in water-scarce regions.
    • Implementing mulching practices and other soil amendments to maintain optimal soil moisture levels.
  2. Tillage Practices:
    • Exploring minimum tillage and no-till farming methods to reduce soil erosion and degradation.
    • Assessing the impact of different tillage practices on soil structure, water infiltration, and root growth.
  3. Crop Establishment in Saline-Wet Soils:
    • Developing strategies for successful crop establishment in challenging saline and waterlogged soils, typical in coastal regions.
    • Evaluating salt-tolerant crop varieties and appropriate planting techniques to mitigate salinity effects.
  4. Conjunctive Use of Saline and Freshwater:
    • Studying the combined use of saline and freshwater resources to optimize irrigation practices.
    • Implementing water management strategies that balance the use of available water resources to maintain soil health and crop productivity.
  5. Water Saving Techniques:
    • Promoting the use of efficient irrigation systems, such as drip and sprinkler irrigation, to minimize water wastage.
    • Investigating alternate wetting and drying (AWD) techniques in rice cultivation to save water and improve water use efficiency.
  6. Conservation Agriculture in Coastal Agriculture and Hydrology:
    • Addressing the unique challenges faced by coastal agricultural systems, including salinity, waterlogging, and soil degradation.
    • Developing and promoting integrated water and soil management practices to enhance the resilience of coastal farming systems.

Dr. Paul’s research is instrumental in developing sustainable agricultural practices that ensure long-term productivity and environmental conservation, particularly in regions facing climatic and hydrological challenges. His work aims to provide practical solutions for farmers to adapt to changing conditions and maintain agricultural sustainability. 🌱

Citation Metrics 📊

  • Total Citations: 339 (since 2019: 312)
  • h-index: 11 (since 2019: 10)
  • i10-index: 12 (since 2019: 11)

Publication Top Notes:

  • Straw mulch and irrigation affect solute potential and sunflower yield in a heavy textured soil in the Ganges Delta
    • Agricultural Water Management 239, 106211 (2020)
    • Citations: 45
  • Banding of fertilizer improves phosphorus acquisition and yield of zero tillage maize by concentrating phosphorus in surface soil
    • Sustainability 10 (9), 3234 (2018)
    • Citations: 35
  • Variation in the yield of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) due to differing tillage systems is associated with variation in solute potential of the soil solution in a salt-affected soil
    • Soil and Tillage Research 197, 104489 (2020)
    • Citations: 34
  • Impact of rice straw mulch on soil physical properties, sunflower root distribution and yield in a salt-affected clay-textured soil
    • Agriculture 11 (3), 264 (2021)
    • Citations: 29
  • Opportunities for cropping system intensification in the coastal zone of Bangladesh
    • Conference proceedings, Revitalizing the Ganges Coastal Zone: Turning Challenges into Opportunities (2015)
    • Citations: 28*
  • Optimum sowing window for boro cultivation in the coastal zone of Bangladesh
    • Conference proceedings, Revitalizing the Ganges Coastal Zone: Turning Challenges into Opportunities (2015)
    • Citations: 22*
  • Refinement of alternate wetting and drying irrigation method for rice cultivation
    • Bangladesh Rice Journal 17 (1-2), 33-37 (2013)
    • Citations: 22
  • Opportunities and risks with early sowing of sunflower in a salt-affected coastal region of the Ganges Delta
    • Agronomy for Sustainable Development 41 (3), 39 (2021)
    • Citations: 18
  • Water productivity improvement using water saving technologies in Boro rice cultivation
    • Bangladesh Rice Journal 20 (1), 17-22 (2016)
    • Citations: 17
  • Triple rice in a year: Is it a feasible option for the low salinity areas of the coastal zone of Bangladesh
    • Conference proceedings, Revitalizing the Ganges Coastal Zone: Turning Challenges into Opportunities (2015)
    • Citations: 14*
  • Short-Term Waterlogging Depresses Early Growth of Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) on Saline Soils with a Shallow Water Table in the Coastal Zone of the Ganges Delta
    • Soil Systems 5 (4), 68 (2021)
    • Citations: 12
  • Selection of Profitable Rice Based Cropping System Under Prevailing Water Environment in Satkhira District of Bangladesh
    • Academia Journal of Agricultural Research 4 (9), 581-588 (2016)
    • Citations: 11*
  • Early transplanting of rainfed rice minimizes irrigation demand by utilizing rainfall
    • Environmental Systems Research 10, 1-11 (2021)
    • Citations: 9
  • Impacts of different tillage systems on the yield of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) in a salt-affected clayey soil of the Ganges Delta
    • Soil Tillage Res 197, 104489 (2020)
    • Citations: 8
  • Rice-rice-rabi cropping systems for increasing the productivity of low salinity regions of the coastal zone of Bangladesh
    • Conference proceedings, Revitalizing the Ganges Coastal Zone: Turning Challenges into Opportunities (2015)
    • Citations: 8*
  • Agronomic practices increase sunflower yield in the rabi (dry) season in clay-textured, salt-affected soils of the coastal region of Bangladesh
    • Murdoch University (2020)
    • Citations: 4
  • Water productivity evaluation for rice based cropping system in Gazipur District of Bangladesh
    • Eco-friendly Agricultural Journal 6 (12), 279-284 (2013)
    • Citations: 4