Avtar Singh Bimbraw | Conservation Agriculture | Excellence in Research

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Dr. Avtar Singh Bimbraw | Conservation Agriculture | Excellence in Research

Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India

Dr. Avtar Singh Bimbraw served as a Senior Agronomist at the Punjab Agricultural University, contributing significantly to the field of agronomy through research, teaching, and extension activities. With a distinguished career spanning several decades, he played a pivotal role in advancing sustainable agricultural practices in Punjab. His expertise and dedication have left a lasting impact on the agrarian community and academic fraternity alike.

Profile:

🎓 Academic Qualifications:

  • Ph.D. in Agronomy, PAU, Ludhiana (1985) – OGPA 3.28/4.00

  • M.Sc. Dairying (Forage Production), NDRI, Karnal (1980) – 68.29%

  • B.Sc. Agriculture (Hons.), PAU, Ludhiana (1977) – OGPA 2.52/4.00

  • Matriculation, Punjab School Education Board (1970) – 61.1%

🛠️ Additional Training (India, 1–14 days):

Participated in 8 specialized trainings, including:

  • Seed production technologies

  • Agroforestry evaluation

  • Sugarcane seed certification

  • Global Positioning System (GPS) applications in agriculture

đź“… Service Record at PAU:

  • Joined University Service: November 29, 1985 (Senior Research Fellow)

  • Assistant Professor: 1986–1992

  • Agronomist: 1992–2000

  • Senior Agronomist: 2000–2014

🏛️ Administrative Experience:

  • Director, RRS, Kheri (1992–1998)

  • Section Head, Forage Section (2001–2011)

  • Section Head, Tillage Schemes (2005–2008)

  • Section Head, Conservation Agriculture (2009 onward)

👨‍🏫 Teaching Contributions:

  • Taught diverse undergraduate and postgraduate agronomy courses (e.g., Agron.101, 201, 424, 521, 530, 603)

  • Supervised 7 M.Sc. and 2 Ph.D. students

  • Conducted practical courses under “Earn While You Learn” scheme

  • Served as external examiner for 5 universities

  • Participated in selection committees for various state and national appointments

🔬 Research Highlights:

  • Led multiple projects (8 total), with significant outcomes including:

    • Inclusion of Dill (Anethum graveolens L.) in Punjab’s Rabi Package of Practices

    • Intercropping systems with sugarcane (moong, mash, cabbage, mentha)

    • Direct Seeded Rice and Zero/No-Tillage cultivation technologies

    • Evaluation of varieties: sugarcane, cotton, gram, berseem, moong

    • Nutrient management and sowing window studies for legumes and cereals

🌱 Seed Production Achievements (1992–2001):

  • Produced and certified ~29,565 quintals of quality seeds (e.g., sugarcane, wheat, maize, pulses)

  • Strengthened farm infrastructure for seed production (e.g., seed grader, tractors)

  • Contributed significantly to PAU’s farm income and seed supply chain

📢 Extension & Outreach:

  • Participated in Kisan Melas, Divas, field days, camps, and radio/TV talks

  • Acted as resource person in refresher courses, summer schools, and district-level workshops

  • Regularly disseminated improved crop production technologies to farming communities

🏆 Notable Recognitions:

  • Subject Expert, Commonwealth Scholarship/Fellowship selection panel (2013)

  • Member, selection committees for various agricultural appointments and programs

Publication:

  • Response of Fodder Maize to Different Levels of Nitrogen Under Various Establishment Methods

Rong Zhao | Forests | Best Researcher Award

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Prof Dr Rong Zhao |  Forests |  Best Researcher Award

Researcher at  Research Institute of Forestry Policy and Information, Chinese Academy of Forestry,  China

Prof. Dr. Rong Zhao is a prominent figure in forestry policy research with extensive contributions to ecological poverty reduction and rural revitalization. She leads the Research Office of Forestry Economic Theory and Policy and serves as Deputy Director at the Ecological Poverty Alleviation Research Center under the National Forestry and Grassland Administration in China. Dr. Zhao has presided over more than 60 national and international research projects, focusing on forestry economics, ecological protection, and sustainable development. She has published over 100 academic papers and authored 20 books, including works on forestry industry policies and ecological poverty alleviation.

Publication profile:

🎓 Academic Background & Leadership:

Prof. Dr. Rong Zhao is a leading figure in forestry research, serving as the Director of the Research Office of Forestry Economic Theory and Policy and the Deputy Director of the Ecological Poverty Alleviation Research Center at the National Forestry and Grassland Administration. She is also a council member and editor for multiple forestry societies and journals.

🌍 Research Focus:

Her research spans forestry economic theory, ecological poverty alleviation, and rural revitalization. Prof. Zhao has led over 60 projects funded by national and international agencies, published more than 100 papers, and authored 20 books on topics like forestry policy and ecological poverty reduction.

🏆 Awards & Contributions:

She has received numerous honors, including the Leung Hsi Forestry Science and Technology Award and the Distinguished Thesis Award. Her work significantly impacts forestry policy formulation, sustainable development, and ecological protection.

🤝 Collaborations & Memberships:

Prof. Zhao has demonstrated strong collaboration skills by chairing international cooperation projects and working with global experts. She is a member of several prominent organizations, including the China Society of Rural Development and the China Society of Forestry Economics.

🔍 Research Areas:

  • Forestry Economic Theory & Policy
  • Ecological Poverty Reduction
  • Forestry Industry & Technical Economy
  • Forestry Reform & Development
  • Forestry Finance & Insurance

Publication Top Notes:

  • Does the Comprehensive Commercial Logging Ban Policy in All Natural Forests Affect Farmers’ Income?—An Empirical Study Based on County-Level Data in China
    Forests | 2024-09-16 | DOI: 10.3390/f15091634
  • Can Ecological Protection Affect High-Quality Forestry Development?—A Case Study of China
    Forests | 2024-08-02 | DOI: 10.3390/f15081354
  • An Index System for the Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Forest Ecological Product Value Realization in China
    Forests | 2024-07-16 | DOI: 10.3390/f15071236
  • Logical Relationship of Value Realization of Forest Ecological Products with Reform of Collective Forest Tenure System and Its Path to Achievements
    World Forestry Research | 2024-07-12
  • Development Status and Implications of Climate-smart Forestry
    World Forestry Research | 2024-06-20
  • Application of Blockchain Technology in Forestry
    World Forestry Research | 2024-03-30
  • Sustainable Forest Development in the Digital Era: The Impact of Internet Use on the Happiness of Forest Farmers’ Families in Ecologically Fragile Ethnic Areas of China
    Forests | 2024-03-20 | DOI: 10.3390/f15030564
  • The Impact and Mechanism of Digital Villages on Agricultural Resilience in Ecologically Fragile Ethnic Areas: Evidence from China’s Provinces
    Agriculture | 2024-01-30 | DOI: 10.3390/agriculture14020221
  • Pathways to Realizing the Value of Forest Carbon in China from the Perspective of “Forests-Carbon Market-Socioeconomics” System
    World Forestry Research | 2023-11-07
  • A Preliminary Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Ecological Product Value Realization in China Based on the DPSIR Model
    Sustainability | 2023-11-02 | DOI: 10.3390/su152115572
  • The Practical Logic of Ecological Product Value Realization: A Study of Grounded Theory
    Journal of Natural Resources | 2023-10-13

 

Beatrice Fiore | Agroforestry | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Beatrice Fiore | Agroforestry | Best Researcher Award

Research fellow, University of Florence, Italy

Beatrice Fiore is an accomplished researcher and academic in the field of environmental and forestry sciences. With a strong foundation in forest and environmental management, Beatrice has worked extensively in landscape planning and GIS analysis. Her contributions to the field are reflected in her role at the University of Florence and various professional engagements in Italy.

Profile

Scopus

Orcid

Education 🎓

Beatrice obtained her Laurea Magistrale in Scienze e Tecnologie dei Sistemi Forestali e Ambientali with honors from the University of Florence in 2020, specializing in landscape planning and forest technology. She completed her Laurea di Primo Livello in Scienze Forestali e Ambientali in 2018 at the same institution, focusing on forest management and environmental monitoring. Her foundational education includes a diploma in graphic design from Istituto Professionale per i Servizi Commerciali, Turistici e della PubblicitĂ  in 2015.

Experience đź’Ľ

Beatrice is currently a Marketing and National Coordination Manager at the Associazione dei Paesaggi Rurali di Interesse Storico and a Research Assistant at the University of Florence’s Department DAGRI. She has also served as a Research Fellow focusing on GIAHS site analysis and GIS data processing. Her previous roles include working in technical-scientific secretariat positions and contributing to the management plan of the Colline del Prosecco. Additionally, she has experience in academic and public communication through her blog, Passaporto Futuro.

Research Interests 🔬

Beatrice’s research interests revolve around landscape planning, forest management, and GIS analysis. She is dedicated to studying the impact of forest area changes on environmental risks, evaluating cultural landscapes, and preserving agrobiodiversity. Her work often involves analyzing and documenting cultural and historical landscapes, particularly within the framework of UNESCO’s GIAHS program.

Publications Top Notes đź“–

Santoro, A., Venturi, M., Piras, F., Fiore, B., Corrieri, F., & Agnoletti, M. (2021). Forest Area Changes in Cinque Terre National Park in the Last 80 Years. Consequences on Landslides and Forest Fire Risks. Land, 10, 293. Link

Venturi, M., Piras, F., Corrieri, F., Fiore, B., Santoro, A., & Agnoletti, M. (2021). Assessment of Tuscany Landscape Structure According to the Regional Landscape Plan Partition. Sustainability, 13, 5424. Link

Piras, F., Zanzana, A., Pinto, L., Fiore, B., & Venturi, M. (2021). The role of the jessour system for agrobiodiversity preservation in Southern Tunisia. Biodiversity and Conservation. Link

Santoro, A., Piras, F., Fiore, B., Frassinelli, N., Bazzurro, A., & Agnoletti, M. (2022). The Role of Trees Outside Forests in the Cultural Landscape of the Colline del Prosecco UNESCO Site. Forests, 13, 514. Link

Piras, F., Fiore, B., & Santoro, A. (2022). Small Cultural Forests: Landscape Role and Ecosystem Services in a Japanese Cultural Landscape. Land, 11, 1494. Link