Dr. Ritu Dogra joined Punjab Agricultural University as an Assistant Professor in May 1999. She began her career in the Department of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering and later moved to the Department of Renewable Energy Engineering, where she currently serves as a Professor. She has taught 25 courses (15 UG, 10 PG) totalling 150 credit hours and has guided 32 students (25 UG, 7 PG). She developed an e-course on “Farm Machinery and Equipment-I.” Her research focuses on crop residue utilization for energy and farm machinery development. She has published 35 research papers, authored a textbook, and contributed four book chapters. She holds two granted patents and one filed patent, including innovations like the hybrid combine harvester. She developed binderless briquettes from paddy straw and five technologies recommended for commercialization, with one already commercialized. She has handled three externally funded research projects and previously worked with Escorts Tractor Ltd. and ICAR.

Professional Accomplishments

Research Projects completed/ Ongoing

1. Energy efficient briquetting system for chopped paddy straw funded by CRP on EA, ICAR (Completed)
2. Long duration testing/evaluation of briquetting machine to study the wear and tear of fast-moving components funded by CRP on EA, ICAR (Completed)
3. Characterization of paddy straw varieties of Punjab for biogas production funded by AICRP on EAAI, ICAR (Completed)
4. Energy and carbon footprints analysis of PAU fixed dome biogas plants AICRP on EAAI (Ongoing)

Adhoc Research Projects completed/ Ongoing

1. Mechanical harvesting of chickpea funded by DOAC (Completed)
2. Research and development on biomass properties/characteristics funded by Ministry of Power, GOI (Completed)

Research Publications:

1. Kumar M, Dogra R, Narang MK, Singh M and Mehan S (2021). Development and evaluation of direct paddy seeder in puddled field. Sustainability 13(5): 2745.
2. Kumar D, Gupta U, Dogra R, Saimbhi VS and Wadhwa M (2023). Characterization of paddy straw varieties of Punjab for biogas production. Agric Mech Asia Afr Lat Am 54(4): 51–59.
3. Talukdar D, Dogra B, Dogra R, Kumar D D and Singh B (2024). Evaluation of tractor mounted axial flow combine harvester for mung bean (Vigna radiata L.). J Agric Eng (India) 61(4): 457–467.
4. Singh M, Dogra R and Hans VS (2024). Techno-economic evaluation of energy efficient briquetting system for rice straw and quality of briquettes. Biomass Convers Biorefin (2024): 1–11.
5. Singh D, Dogra R, Dogra B, Singh D and Arora R (2024). Ultrasonic bund detection system for header of combine harvester. Curr Sci 127(8): 940–949.

Patents Granted:

1. PAU Hybrid combine harvester
2. Conveyor belt type mechanical feeding system for axial flow thresher

Book Published:

Dogra, R, Singh, M, Yadvika, Singla M, Kumar D and Gupta R (2023) Renewable Energy and Green Technology. Brillion Publishing, New Delhi, India. pp 323. ISBN:  978-93-93980-10-6

Awards and Recognition: 

Best ISAE Paper Publication, 58th Indian Society of Agricultural Engineers (ISAE), held at Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth (VNMKV), Parbhani, Maharashtra from November 12-14, 2024