etc., related to agricultural systems. Also, researchers, graduate, and postgraduate students of various disciplines, planners, and policy makers will find valuable information in this book. We believe that the book will be read by people with a common interest in sustainable development and other diverse backgrounds within earth observation.
The scientific quality of the book was ensured by a rigorous review process where leading researchers from India, Indonesia, Japan, Sri Lanka, Iran, and China, participated to provide constructive comments to improve the chapters. Due to the confidentiality of the review process, we are unable to provide their name; however, we are deeply indebted and thankful for their voluntary support. On behalf of the team of authors, we express our gratitude to the entire crew of Wiley for all kind of assistance to make this successful endeavor.
Pavan Kumar A. K. Pandey Susheel Kumar Singh S. S. Singh V. K. Singh
About the Editors
Dr. Pavan Kumar is an Assistant Professor at the College of Horticulture and Forestry, Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, India. He obtained his PhD degree from Faculty of Natural Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India. He did a BSc (Botany) and MSc (Environmental Science) from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India, and subsequently obtained his master's degree in Remote Sensing (MTech) from Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra Ranchi, India. His current research interests include resilient agriculture and climate change studies. He is recipient of Innovation China National academy award for Remote Sensing. Dr. Kumar has published 50 research papers in international journals and authored several books. He has visited countries including USA, France, the Netherlands, Italy, China, Indonesia, Brazil, and Malaysia for various academic/scientific assignments, workshops, and conferences. Dr. Kumar is a member of the International Associations for Vegetation Science, USA, and Institution of Geospatial and Remote Sensing, Malaysia.
Dr. A.K. Pandey is currently Dean at the College of Horticulture and Forestry, Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, India. Prior to joining RLBCAU, Dr. Pandey served for almost six years as Dean, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh, under Central Agricultural University, Imphal, Manipur, India. He is an ARS Scientist of 1985 batch. Dr. Pandey obtained his MSc (Ag.) and PhD. degrees in Horticulture from C.S. Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur. Dr. Pandey participated in the 1st International Post Graduate Course on Protected Agriculture in Arid and Semi‐arid Region at Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel. He has published more than 80 research papers, 167 popular articles and review articles in journals of national and international repute. Dr. Pandey has authored 14 books and has participated in more than 70 national conferences/seminars and symposia and in the position of Organizing Secretary, organized several national seminars/symposia and one International Symposium on Minor Fruits, Medicinal & Aromatic Plants (ISMF, M&AP) at Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh. Dr. A.K. Pandey has been conferred several awards and honors for his distinguished academic contributions. Hon'ble President of India has conferred on him the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Gyan‐Vigyan Purskar for his book Dalhani Sabjiya during 2012. Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) honored him four times for his significant contribution. Dr. Pandey is a prolific writer and for his significant contribution, Scientific and Applied Research Centre, Meerut, India has conferred on him the Outstanding Authorship in Science and Technology Award (2010). He was also awarded the Life Time Achievement Award (2016) by BSRD, Allahabad. Dr. Pandey is a board member of a number of Scientific Societies and Academic panels. He is a Fellow of Indian Society of Vegetable Science (ISVS), Varanasi and Society of Biological Sciences and Rural Development, Allahabad, India.
Dr. Susheel Kumar Singh is currently Assistant Professor at the College of Agriculture, Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, India. He obtained his PhD degrees from Faculty of Soil Sciences, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut (UP), India. He did a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and Master of Science in Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry from Tilak Dhari Post Graduate College Jaunpur affiliated to Veer Bahadur Singh Purvanchal University, Jaunpur, UP, India. He was also awarded as Research Fellow through IRRI‐CSISA project during his PhD research program. Dr. Singh primarily works in the field of climate change, and related interdisciplinary fields with wider applications of Information Technology, Remote Sensing, and GIS tools with working experience of more than eight years. His current research interests include conservation agriculture and precision nutrient management studies. Dr. Singh has published several research papers including book chapters, as well as popular articles also.
Dr. S.S. Singh is the Director, Extension Education, Rani Laxmi Bai Central Agricultural University, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, India. He has served as Director, ICAR – Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Kolkata, WB (2017–2020). He was Head of Division, Crop Production at Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur, UP (2014–2017) and Head, Crop Research Division at ICAR Research Complex for Eastern Region, Patna, Bihar (2009–2014). Dr. Singh has also worked in RWC‐ CIMMYT, India, from 2004 to 2006. Dr. Singh has served RAU Pusa, Bihar, from 1986 to 1998 as Junior Scientist cum Assistant Professor. He is BSc (Ag) from CSAUAT Kanpur and MSc (Ag.) and PhD (Agronomy) from NDUAT, Faizabad, UP, India. Dr. Singh has handled 16 foreign/external funded projects on Natural Resource Management, Crop Management, Livelihood Development and Crop Improvement funded by DFID, IFAD, USAID, BMGF, IRRI, CIMMYT, Ford Foundation, and European Union. As an agronomist, he has contributed to the development of five rice varieties, which have been released by CVRC and Bihar SVRC and are suitable for aerobic drought prone, late direct seeding, contingency cropping, and rainfed lowland conditions. He has also guided and monitored ICAR/DAC extension projects like ARYA, Farmers FIRST, Skill Development, MGMG, TSP, SCSP, CFLD Pulses & Oilseeds, NICRA TDC, DAMU, and Seed Hub program from 2017 to 2020. He has published 115 research papers, 6 books, 20 book chapters, 15 technical bulletins, 135 papers in proceedings/symposium/seminar, 50 popular articles, and 40 extension folders. He has visited USA, UK, Australia, Mexico, Thailand, Philippines, Bangladesh, and Nepal. He is recipient of Rajeev Gandhi Gyan Vigyan Award from Ministry of Home Affairs, FAI award, Senior Research Fellowship of ICAR, Excellent Team Research Award of ICAR in Social Science.
Dr. V.K. Singh is currently, Director, Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad, India. Dr. Singh has made valuable contributions in the area of soil fertility appraisal and soil health restoration through site‐specific nutrient management (SSNM) and inclusion of legumes in intensive cropping systems. His effort on soil fertility appraisal using geo‐statistical tools in different agro‐ecologies revealed widespread multinutrient deficiencies. The extensive studies by him at cultivators' fields underlined the significance of SSNM for addressal of multinutrient deficiencies, improving yields, nutrient use efficiency, and profits under different cropping systems. He also explored different options for inclusion of legumes in rice–wheat system (RWS) to reduce subsoil compaction, enhanced organic matter accumulation, and minimized NO3‐N leaching. Dr. Singh has standardized conservation agriculture practices for improving soil health, nutrient and water use efficiency, and net returns. The Integrated Farming Systems models developed by him have great potential to raise the income and employment to small holders. Besides publishing research recognized peer‐reviewed journals, he also published his work in popular language for the advantage of farmers and extension personnel. He possesses an illustrious academic record, with several awards and distinctions, viz. Fellow of NAAS, ISNS, ISA, SEE; NAAS Young Scientist Award, NAAS Associate, PS Deshmukh Young Agronomist Award, UPCAR Young Agricultural Scientist Award, IPNI‐FAI award, FAI Golden Jubilee Award, PPIC‐FAI award, Dr. J.S.P. Yadav Memorial Award of ISSS, Sriram Award, and Dhiru Morarji Memorial Award for his outstanding contributions in the area of efficient agronomic input management research.
Foreword 1
