Dr. Vinita Kanwal joined as Assistant Professor (Economics) at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana in 2020. She holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from ICAR-NDRI, Karnal, and an M.Sc. from PJTSAU, Hyderabad. Her academic journey and professional engagements have focused on agricultural marketing, climate vulnerability, digital innovation in agriculture, and policy impact evaluation. She has worked on several national-level projects including a Government of India-funded project on doubling farmers’ income and ICAR-ICSSR-supported studies on drought vulnerability and digital interventions in hill agriculture. She has chaired sessions and presented papers at prestigious forums such as the International Association of Agricultural Economists and the Agricultural Economics Research Association. With hands-on experience in participatory research, NSSO data analysis, and econometric tools (STATA, SPSS, R, GIS), she contributes actively to applied agricultural economics. She is currently guiding both M.Sc. and Ph.D. students and continues to engage in interdisciplinary collaborations with national and international institutions. She is member to various national and international associations.

Professional Accomplishments

Research Projects completed

1. Impact of Crop Residue Management in RWS of North India (ICAR, 2021–2023)
2. Assessment of Mechanisation Scheme for Stubble Management in Punjab (Govt. of Punjab, 2021–2023)

Ongoing Research Project:

Status, Enablers, and Impact of Digital Intervention in Hill Agro-Ecosystems (ICSSR, 2024–ongoing)

Research Publications (NAAS Rating):

1. Kanwal V, Mondal B and Singh J (2025) How do marketing channel choices affect the welfare of paddy growers in Punjab and Haryana. Current Science 128: 590-98. (NAAS Rating: 7.1)
2. Kanwal V., Mohapatra S, Joseph J and Pouchepparadjou A (2024) Impact of information on wheat productivity in India: Evidence from a large-scale household survey. In Agricultural Economics Research Review 37:71-80. (NAAS Rating: 5.1)
3. Sendhil R, Kanwal V and Soni K (2024) Determinants of Marketing Channel for Tomato, Onion and Potato (TOP) Producers in India: Evidence from the Large-Scale Household Survey. Indian Journal of Agricultural Economics 79: 407-19. (NAAS Rating: 5.6)
4. Kanwal V and Sirohi S (2022) Addressing agricultural income risks in India: effi cacy of risk management options in hazard-prone regions. Current Science 122:178-86. (NAAS Rating: 7.1)
5. Kanwal, V., Sirohi, S., and Chand, P. (2022). Risk perception, impact, and management by farmer households in Rajasthan (India). Environmental Hazards 21: 416-32. (NAAS Rating: 7.8)

Awards and Recognitions:

1. Best Paper Presentation Award at a national-level conference for outstanding contribution to research in agricultural economics.
2. Gurdev Singh Khush Foundation Travel Grant recipient to support participation in international academic conference.
3. Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Award recipient to support participation in international academic conference.
4. Selected Participant in the prestigious ICWAE-AWARD Mentorship Programme for Women Agricultural Economists in the Global South, aimed at leadership enhancement and fostering international research collaborations.

Session Chair at the 31st and 32nd International Conference of Agricultural Economists organized by the International Association of Agricultural Economists (IAAE), and presenter of acclaimed research on drought, malnutrition, and spatial disparities in Rajasthan.