A K Singh (Ashok Kumar Singh) was awarded Ph.D. degree in Agricultural Extension from Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture & Technology, Kanpur, where he started his professional career as Assistant Professor. He has been engaged in teaching and research along with a wide national and international exposure in extension management and training. He looked after the extension services of Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture & Technology, Kanpur before joining ICAR services as Zonal Coordinator, Zone IV and presently guiding and managing entire frontline extension system and Krishi Vigyan Kendras of the country as Deputy Director General (Agricultural Extension), Indian Council of Agricultural Research.
Major initiatives pursued by him are Farmer FIRST Programme, Attracting and Retaining Youth in Agriculture (ARYA), Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav (MGMG), Extramural Research Grant, Coordinated and network research in extension, cluster demonstration of pulses and oilseeds, launched four new initiatives like Value Addition and Technology Incubation Centre Agriculture (VATICA), Knowledge System and Homestead Agriculture Management in Tribal Areas (KSHAMTA), Nutri-sensitive Agricultural Resources and Innovations (NARI) and Farm Innovation and Resource Management, ICT initiatives including vKVK, KVKNet and mobile based agro-advisory through mKisan portal covering one crore farmers. Initiated first virtual extension through 2.0 portal with both read and write options and online monitoring of KVKs, pioneering and experimenting district Strategic Research and Action Plan (SREP) in association with World Bank experts and MANAGE, Hyderabad.
Developed KVK guideline. He has published more than 113 research papers, 55 books and book chapters and about 50 popular articles. He is recipient of 15 awards/recognitions including Swami Sahajanand Saraswati Best Extension Scientists Award of ICAR, Leadership Award of Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and Excellence in Science Award of CSAUA&T, Kanpur, Fellow of National and International Academic Societies. He is Chief Editor and Editor of NAAS rated Refereed Journals of National repute, Reviewer of Current Science Journal. President and Vice President of National Professional Societies and organised 20 national and international seminars/conferences.
