Dr. Dharminder Singh joined Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) as Assistant Professor (Extension Education) on 22nd September 2005, after completing his Ph.D. in Extension Education from PAU in the same year. Over the years as he progressed in his career, he rose to the position of Senior Extension Specialist on 22nd September 2017, and Principal Extension Scientist since 22nd September 2020, a role he continues to hold. Over his academic career, Dr. Singh has made significant contributions to teaching, having taught 34 undergraduate and 25 postgraduate courses, and has mentored eight M.Sc. and two Ph.D. scholars in the field of Extension Education. His academic involvement also includes responsibilities such as paper setting and serving as an external examiner in Extension Education.  

His research and extension work are particularly focused on sustainable agricultural practices, with a notable emphasis on crop residue management, for which he has secured funding and completed three projects sponsored by NABARD. Dr. Singh has an impressive publication record, with 35 research papers published and 16 papers presented at national conferences and seminars. He has authored 26 extension articles in leading farm magazines and developed several extension folders to aid in the dissemination of scientific farming information.

 Actively involved in farmer outreach, Dr. Singh regularly organizes farmers’ trainings, campaigns, field days, exposure visits, and on-farm demonstrations, promoting the transfer of recommended technologies from lab to land. Dr. Singh has delivered over 218 lectures in various extension programs and participated in 14 TV and radio talks. Besides his academic and extension contributions, Dr. Singh has also served as the Hostel Warden at PAU since 2016, demonstrating his commitment to student welfare and campus life.

Professional Accomplishments

Research Projects completed

• ‘Enhancing Diffusion of Paddy Straw Management Technologies in Ludhiana & Moga districts of Punjab’ (as Principal Investigator) from 2017-2019, funded by NABARD.
• Mass Awareness Campaign to halt Paddy Straw Burning in Punjab (as Co-Principal Investigator) from 2017-2018, funded by PHD Chambers of Commerce.
• Diffusion and Assessment of Paddy Straw Management Technologies: A Farmer Participatory Approach (as Principal Investigator) from 2019-2021, funded by NABARD.
• Adoption and Impact Assessment of Crop Residue Management Technologies in Rice-Wheat cropping systems in Moga and Ferozepur (as Principal Investigator) from 2020-2023, funded by NABARD.

Research Publications:

1. Sunidhi, Dharminder Singh, Kaur M, Kaur L (2023) Entrepreneurial Behaviour of Chilli Growers in Punjab State. Journal of Community Mobilization and Sustainable Development, 18(1): 71-78. (NAAS=5.67)
2. Kamboj R, Dharminder Singh and Kaur L (2022) Adoption Status of Direct Seeded Rice Technology by the Farmers of Punjab. Indian Journal of Extension Education. 58(1): 76-80. (NAAS=5.95)
3. Ayushi Pal, Dharminder Singh and R K Dhaliwal (2020) Identification and relevance of E-readiness assessment tools for ICT use in agriculture. Current Journal of Applied Science and Technology.39: 93-102. (NAAS rating=5.32)
4. Lakhwinder Singh, Dharminder Singh and Sat Pal Sharma (2020) An Appraisal of Potato Seed Production Practices Adopted by the Farmers of Punjab Journal of Community Mobilization and Sustainable Development. 15 (3) 607-615. (NAAS rating=5.30)
5. Sahar M F and Dharminder Singh (2020) Access and Use of Information and Communication Technologies by the Farmers: A Case Study of Punjab. Journal of Community Mobilization and Sustainable Development.15(1) 247-253. (NAAS rating=5.30)

Awards and Recognitions:

• Best Poster award for the paper: Ayushi Pal and Dharminder Singh (2025) Understanding Communication Behaviour of Extension Personnel for improving Advisory Services. 12th National Seminar on “Futuristic Agriculture: Technology, Sustainability and Beyond” being organised by Society for community Mobilisation for Sustainable Development (Mobilisation) in collaboration with College of Post Graduate Studies in Agricultural Sciences, Umiam, Meghalaya on May 22-24, 2025.
•  Society for Community Mobilization for Sustainable Development presented Shanti Prasad Goel Award for professional excellence during 11th National Seminar, on March 7, 2024.
• Best paper award: Singh G, Dharminder Singh and Kaur L (2022) Constraints in adoption of in-situ straw management technologies in rice-wheat cropping system. during 1st annual conference of Indian Society of Agricultural Development & Policy on March 21-22, 2022.
• Awarded Merit Certificate in M Sc (Extension Education)