Dr Raj Kumar joined as District Extension Specialist – Farm Management/ Assistant Farm Economist in 1997 to 04-01-2006, Assistant Farm Economist (Selection Grade)/ Farm Economist/ Extension Specialist – Farm Management (05-01-2006 to till date. He had done his B.Sc. Agriculture (Hons) – 5 years (Hons) from PAU, Ludhiana in 1992; M.Sc. Agricultural Economics from PAU, Ludhiana in 1994 and Ph.D. Agricultural Economics from PAU, Ludhiana in 2008.

Research interests: 

• To carry out economic surveys of important crops in the state and to provide feedback to PAU scientists on the basis of these surveys
• Identification of farming weaknesses and adoption gaps through field surveys
• To work out economics of different crops and farm enterprises

Research projects:

• Farm Advisory Service Scheme (Farm Management) 
• Technology assessment and refinement (TAR) project under irrigated agro-eco regions of Punjab (1999-2003).
• Worked in ATMA project in Jalandhar district (January 2000 to October 2003).
• Estimation of biomass production, consumption and residue from crops in Punjab (05-04-2008 to 31-03-2009).
• Establishing and networking of market intelligence centres in India (20-04-2009 to 31-03-2014).
• Technology application and upscaling for sustaining natural resources and augmenting farm income: Farmers led market linked approach (Since 2017)

Selected Research Publications:

1. Agnotra K, Kumar R and Ranguwal S (2021) Sources, replacement of seed and adoption gaps in berseem fodder production in Punjab. Indian J Extension Education 57: 101-108. (NAAS Rating: 5.95)
2. Saini R and Kumar R (2020) Income pattern and consumption behavior of farm households in Punjab. Agric Res J 57: 923-932. (NAAS Rating: 4.71)
3. Saini R and Kumar R (2020) Determining the factors affecting investment in Punjab agriculture. Econ Affairs 65: 511-520. (NAAS Rating: 4.82)
4. Sangeet R and Kumar R (2020) Bio-energy potential of crop residue in Indian Punjab. J Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry SP6: 418-423. (NAAS Rating: 5.21)
5. Dhillon B S, Kumar R and Singh S (2020) Pulses cultivation in pre- and post-green revolution eras in Punjab. Agric Res J 57: 449-56. (NAAS Rating: 4.71)

Awards/Honours/Distinctions

• Appreciation Certificate for Outsatnding Work of Extension Education at Kisan Mela held at PAU, Ludhiana on March 15-16, 2019
• Appreciation Letter from Dean PGS & Chairperson, PAU Investment Committee for laudable efforts in administration of University’s finances and reddesigning the interest payment process of GPF/CPF accounts.
• Merit certificate in M.Sc. Agricultural Economics.
• Won ‘Second Prize’ in the state for commendable work done in popularization of PAU, publications for the year 1996-97.
• Won ‘First Prize’ for commendable work done in popularization of PAU, Publications for the year 1997-98.
• Won ‘Second Prize’ for organizing an exhibition at the State level Kisan Mela held at PAU, Ludhiana on March 22-23, 2003.
• Secured 3rd position in organizing an Exhibition at State level Kisan Mela held at PAU, Ludhiana on March 22-23, 1997.