AI-Driven Smart Fertilization: Enhancing Crop-Water Productivity and Soil Health

R. K. Gupta is Professor at Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar, Punjab, India. He earned his B.Sc. in Agriculture in 1983, M.Sc. in Soil Science in 1985, and Ph.D. in 1998 from Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India. He retired as Head of the Department of Soil Science at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India. His research focuses on integrated nutrient management, fertilizer use efficiency, crop residue management, and biochar technology in rice-wheat cropping systems. He developed indigenous technology for biochar manufacturing from rice residues, adopted by 5 KVKs in Punjab and 11 KVKs in Bihar, India. He has published 100 research articles, four books, seven book chapters and 155 extension articles. He received the Ch. Devi Lal ICAR Award in 2010, the FAI Golden Jubilee Award for Excellence in Plant Nutrition in 2020, and the Prof. Manjeet S. Chinnan Distinguished Professor Chair Award in 2022.

R. K. Naresh is affiliated with the Department of Agronomy, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India. He earned his B.Sc., M.Sc., and Ph.D. in Agronomy from G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, India. He served as Professor of Agronomy and Dean of Postgraduate Studies at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India. His research focuses on conservation agriculture, water management, soil health enhancement, and precision agriculture. He has collaborated with the Rice-Wheat Consortium (RWC), International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Mexico, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Philippines, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), India, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), India and Uttar Pradesh Council of Agricultural Research (UPCAR), India.

S. S. Walia is Principal Agronomist at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India. He earned his M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Agronomy from Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India, and joined the institution in 1995. His research focuses on organic and integrated farming systems, resource-conserving systems, and direct seeded rice technology. He has published over 650 publications and 21 books, led 30 research projects, and developed 100 practical recommendations. He has guided 19 postgraduate students and developed an Integrated Farming System model integrating dairy, fishery, horticulture and vermicomposting. He received advanced training in rice production systems from the University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.

U. P. Singh is Director of the Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. He has over 39 years of experience in agronomy, teaching, research and extension. He has served as reviewer and editorial board member for national and international journals. He has collaborated with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), India, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Mexico, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Philippines, and International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), India. He is a Fellow of the Indian Society of Agronomy, India, and has received awards for excellence in agronomic research, best teacher awards and lifetime achievement recognitions.

Dinesh Tomar is Pedologist and Head of the Department of Soil Science at CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana, India. He earned his B.Sc. (Hons.) in Agriculture in 1989, M.Sc. in 1992, and Ph.D. in 2002 from CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana, India. He received the Dhirubhai Memorial FAI Award for the best article in Agricultural Science in 2015. He serves as In-charge of the Soil Testing Laboratory and acting Nodal Officer for the Saraswati Heritage Board and the National One Soil Unified Information System (NOSUIS), India. His research focuses on profile studies and digital spatial mapping for districts in Haryana, India. He is Councillor of the Indian Society of Soil Science (ISSS), New Delhi, India, and President of ISSS, Hisar Chapter, India. He has published over 50 research papers in national and international journals.

Ashok Kumar is affiliated with Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India. He earned his M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Soil Science from G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, India, in 1982 and 1986, respectively. He served as Professor of Soil Science at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India, from March 2005 until his retirement in June 2022. He has published over 150 research papers and authored books and practical manuals. He received the Best Soil Health Work Presentation Award at the Global Congress and Expo on Food and Agriculture in Dubai, UAE, in November 2019, and the International Outstanding Achievement Award at the 6th Global Meet on Science and Technology (GMST-2024) in 2024. He held administrative positions including Head Department of Soil Science, Director of Placement, Director of Research, and Registrar.

Y. P. Singh is Director Extension at Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Madhya Pradesh, India, since 2021. He has over 33 years of professional experience in agricultural research, technology dissemination and farmer-centric outreach. He served at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) – Research Complex for Eastern Region, Patna, Bihar, India, conducting research on flood-prone ecologies, soil fertility constraints and integrated farming systems. He served at the Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India, focusing on soil reclamation and saline and sodic land management. His research addresses sustainable farming systems, natural resource management and climate-resilient agriculture. He has strengthened KVK networks and promoted digital and climate-smart extension models.

Raj Paul Sharma is Principal Scientist (Soil Science) at CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, India, since 2013. He earned his B.Sc. in Agriculture in 1990, M.Sc. in Soil Science in 1992 and Ph.D. in Soil Science in 1996 from CSK Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, India. His research focuses on plant nutrition and soil health management. He serves as Principal Investigator and Centre Incharge of the All India Coordinated Research Project on Long-term Fertilizer Experiments at Palampur centre, Himachal Pradesh, India. He has published more than 120 research articles, 2 books, 7 book chapters and 3 manuals. He has guided 14 M.Sc. students and 3 Ph.D. students. He developed technologies on integrated nutrient management and standardized vermicomposting technology. He has conducted more than 900 demonstrations and imparted more than 65 trainings for farmers.