Prof. J P Sharma Former Hon’ble VC, SKUAST, Jammu

Prof. J. P. Sharma (Jag Paul Sharma) is an eminent agricultural scientist and academic administrator who served as the Vice Chancellor of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Jammu. With over 33 years of experience in strategic research and agricultural extension, he has held significant leadership roles, including Joint Director (Extension) at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, and additional charge as the Vice Chancellor of SKUAST-Kashmir. His academic journey includes a postgraduate degree from GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology (GBPUAT), a PhD from IIT Delhi, and postdoctoral research at the Bose Institute, Kolkata. A prolific scholar, Prof. Sharma has published over 300 research papers and authored or edited more than 50 books, focusing on innovative extension models and entrepreneurship development in agriculture.

Throughout his career, Prof. Sharma has been instrumental in implementing national agricultural schemes such as Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav and Unnat Bharat Abhiyan. His contributions to the farming community have earned him more than 60 national and international awards, including the prestigious Dr. Rajendra Prasad Puruskar and the Hari Om Ashram Trust Award from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). He is also the Founder President of the Society for Community Mobilization for Sustainable Development (MOBILIZATION) and has served as a consultant for various high-level national bodies, including the Planning Commission and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT).