Prof. R. B. Singh, Padma Bhushan, FNAAS
Chairman, Advisory Board – Confederation of NGOs of Rural India (CNRI)
Prof. R. B. Singh, Padma Bhushan awardee and Fellow of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (FNAAS), serves as the Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Confederation of NGOs of Rural India (CNRI). One of India’s most distinguished agricultural scientists, policy thinkers, and institution builders, he has devoted over five decades to advancing agricultural research, food security, sustainable rural development, and science-based public policy. His association with CNRI brings unparalleled intellectual leadership and strategic guidance in strengthening civil society’s role in rural transformation and national development.
An internationally acclaimed geneticist and plant breeder, Prof. Singh has made pioneering contributions to crop improvement, agricultural biotechnology, food and nutritional security, and agricultural policy. His scientific leadership has significantly influenced India’s agricultural development by promoting productivity enhancement, sustainable farming systems, and science-driven solutions for farmers. Throughout his career, he has authored more than 300 scientific and policy papers, several books, and supervised numerous doctoral scholars, leaving an enduring legacy in agricultural science and education.
Prof. Singh has held several of the highest positions in Indian and international agricultural institutions. He served as Director and Vice-Chancellor of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, where he strengthened the institution’s leadership in agricultural innovation and charted a roadmap for the country’s future agricultural research. He later became Chairman of the Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board (ASRB), Government of India, where he introduced progressive reforms in scientific human resource development and research management.
At the global level, Prof. Singh served as Assistant Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific, besides holding several senior leadership positions within FAO. Through these assignments, he worked closely with governments across Asia and the Pacific to promote sustainable agriculture, food security, rural livelihoods, and international cooperation in agricultural development. His contributions have earned him recognition as one of India’s foremost ambassadors of agricultural science on the global stage.
He was also a distinguished Member of the National Commission on Farmers, constituted by the Government of India, where he contributed significantly to policy recommendations aimed at enhancing farmers’ income, improving agricultural sustainability, and addressing rural poverty. His policy insights continue to influence discussions on food systems, climate-resilient agriculture, and farmer-centric development strategies.
A recipient of the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian honour, Prof. Singh has received numerous national and international awards, honorary doctorates, and fellowships in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to agricultural science, research management, and public policy. He has also served as President of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS), further strengthening the interface between science, policy, and society.
As Chairman of the Advisory Board of CNRI, Prof. R. B. Singh provides strategic direction to the organisation’s initiatives in rural development, sustainable agriculture, natural resource management, climate resilience, nutrition, cooperative development, and community empowerment. His visionary guidance enables CNRI to integrate scientific excellence with grassroots action, ensuring that development programmes are evidence-based, farmer-centric, and aligned with national priorities. Under his mentorship, CNRI continues to strengthen partnerships between civil society, academia, government institutions, and international organizations to build resilient rural communities and promote inclusive national development.
Prof. R. B. Singh’s lifelong commitment to science in service of society, coupled with his unwavering dedication to farmers and rural communities, makes him an invaluable mentor and guiding force for CNRI. His leadership exemplifies the belief that scientific knowledge, when combined with community participation and enlightened public policy, can become a transformative force for achieving sustainable development and national prosperity.
