About Vice Chancellor

Dr. B. Mishra, born on 14th April, 1947, completed his B.Sc. (Ag) and M.Sc. Ag. from CSAUA&T Kanpur and Ph.D.in Genetics and Plant Breeding. He has distinction of securing first division with ranks and merit scholarship throughout his academic career. He did his Post Doctorate and visiting scientist from International Rice Research Institute, Philippines and Research Fellow from UK, total for nearly three years. He is a distinguished and successful plant breeder and research manager deeply involved in education, research and extension. Prior to taking over as a Vice Chancellor, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST-J), Jammu (J&K) on 14th November, 2008, Dr. Mishra successfully served as the Project Director, Directorate of Rice Research (DRR), Hyderabad for five years and Directorate of Wheat Research (DWR) Karnal for more than three years. Dr. Mishra, a noted Plant Scientist of international repute and a leader par excellence has made outstanding contribution in the field of Plant Breeding. He spent about 14 years as a Principal Scientist and headed the Division of Crop Improvement for more than 12 years at CSSRI, Karnal where his pioneering work on genetics and breeding of salt tolerant crop varieties, screening methodology and selection criteria is well recognized worldwide and is an apt recognition of his outstanding contributions to Agricultural Sciences. Further, Dr. Mishra has proved his mettle as a dynamic and innovative leader in the capacity of Director, DRR, DWR and has made excellent contributions in the development of these two Directorates responsible for most important two national programmes on rice and wheat in the country contributing nearly more than 70 percent to the national food security. The rice and wheat research programmes in the country have received international acclaim and got a new direction under his stewardship. The several leading salt tolerant and high yielding rice varieties and hybrid rice were developed by him. CSR-10 and CSR-30, have revolutionized rice production in the fragile saline, sodic and normal soil areas. CSR 30 is the World’s first Basmati variety possessing salt tolerance has now replaced the best quality Basmati, Taraori Basmati. It occupies more than 80 per cent of the traditional type basmati area in Haryana. He has made outstanding contribution in developing low-cost biological amelioration technology involving salt tolerant rice variety for salt affected soils. Another most significant contribution made under his leadership was the development and spread of rice hybrid technology in India which has now covered more than 1.4 mha from merely an area of 0.1 mha and significantly contributing enhanced rice production by many million tons in the country. As Project Director of rice and wheat, he has facilitated the development and release of 144 rice (including hybrids), 21 wheat, 1 triticale and 3 barley varieties suited for different ecologies. He was also involved in the development and release of wheat variety, DBW 17, a substitute of PBW 343 and one malt barley variety DWRUB 52. His contribution has enhanced.

the total production in rice and wheat by more than five million tons thus contributing significantly to national exchequer. He has coordinated the national gene pyramiding project of ICAR and functional genomics project of DBT. He has played a key role in formulating strategies to tackle threat of a new stem rust race Ug99.

He has remained an active researcher and served as principal investigator, research manager and country coordinator for many important national and international research projects involving like ICAR-UNDP, IRRI-ADB, Indo-UK, ICAR-IRRI, CSSRI-UoS- IRRI, DFID, World Bank/EEU aided CSSRI-UPLDC, ACIAR-ICAR, Indo-Swiss (ISCB), ICAR- CIMMYT, ICAR-ICARDA etc.

Dr. Mishra in collaboration with his team and research scholars worked on a wide range of problems in basic and applied research related to genetics, molecular and conventional  plant breeding, biotic and abiotic stress, hybrid rice and conservation agriculture. To his credit he has 525 publications including 96 refereed research papers in international & national journals of repute. He is author of many books and book chapters. He has guided 8 Ph.D. and 3 M.Sc. students and organized more than 360 training programmes and many national/international conferences.

Dr. Mishra has been Chairman and Member of many important Steering Committees, Board of Management, Research Advisory, Scientific Advisory, and Selection Committees, QRT, IBC, IMC, Academic Council of many SAUs  and ICAR Institutes and member of many National and State Government policy making Committees. He successfully chaired several international, national and state level scientific and academic development and policy related committees including Conferences.

On account of professional achievement of Dr. Mishra, many prestigious international and national awards and honours have been conferred upon him. The most prominent are - Rafi Ahmed Kidwai (ICAR), A.K. Richharia (Best Rice Scientist- International Year of Rice), Hari Om Ashram Trust (ICAR), Rao Bahadur Dr. Ram Dhan Singh Memorial Award (CCS HAU) and International Senadhira Award (IRRI, Philipines) and several other recognitions like Fellow of National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS) and Member of Organizing Committee of many International   and National symposia. He is the Chief Patron, Journal of Research SKUAST-J, life member of many scientific societies and reviewer of International and National Journals. He has served as President of Society of Advancement of Rice Research, President of Advancement of Wheat Research and Chief Editor, Journal of Wheat Research.

He has represented the country in several important international fora. His visits to many countries like USA, UK, Australia, China, Japan, Italy, Philippines, Mexico, France, Netherlands, Spain, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Pakistan, Egypt etc. have developed his expertise in agricultural research including frontier science and innovative approaches and has widened the horizon of his vision of agricultural research and education. Dr. B. Mishra is providing his leadership and new direction for the benefit of Farming Community through Education, Research and Extension