Padam Sri Dr. BRAHMA SINGH is an eminent Horticulture Scientist. born on December 15, 1941 at Village Paladi, in Muzaffarnagar, UP, Dr Brahma Singh received B Sc (Hons) Ag & AH and M Sc Ag (Horticulture) degree from GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar and PhD (Hort.) from Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi in 1964, 1966 and 1970, respectively. He served as Director, Directorate of Life Sciences, Defence Research and Development Organization, New Delhi; Defence Institute of High Altitude Research, Leh (Ladakh), Defence Research Laboratory, Tezpur (Assam) and Officer on Special Duty (Horticulture), Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi during his 30-year career.
- Dr Singh is known for greening of Leh (11500ft amsl) and Nubra (near Siachen glacier) valleys by developing and popularizing agro-technologies making production of vegetables under sub-zero conditions and large scale plantation of willow and poplar possible.He pioneered research on protected cultivation in India resulting in vegetable cultivation in Leh and Nubra valleys (earlier considered impossible) by harnessing solar and soil heat in innovative ways. This has led to local farmers being able to meet fresh vegetable requirement of troops boosting the local economy and reducing air transport expenses of food material to Leh besides boosting troop morale.This expertise has led to appointment of Dr Singh as Chairman of Working Group on Protected Cultivation for Haryana, Haryana Kisan Ayog, Hisar. Report of the working group has recently been adopted by Government of Haryana.
- Dr Singh is known for discovering the potential of sea-buckthorn in Ladakh, an environment friendly bush with an abundance of nutriceuticals, pharmaceuticals and cosmoceuticals and other health promoting chemicals. Dr Singh helped development of herbal beverage called 'Leh Berry' from sea-buckthorn berries, patented the technology, transferred it to industry promoting establishment of a now flourishing industry resulting in a substantial income to tribal farmers, herbal health drinks to Siachen troops and foreign exchange to the country through export of sea-buckthorn seeds and pulp.
- Dr Singh established the first herbal garden at Leh. This led to establishment of herbal gardens (under guidance and supervision of Dr Singh) at Rashtrapati Bhawan which in turn inspired herbal gardens around the country and boosted education on using herbs for maintenance of health. At Rashtrapati Bhawan he authored two books namely Trees of Rashtrapati Bhawan and Roses of Rashtrapati Bhawan in 2007. Earlier in his career, he contributed in the development of space food for first Indo-Russian space mission and six new varieties of vegetable crops being cultivated in high altitudes. Zanskar ponies were inducted in the Indian Army due to persistent advocacy by Dr Singh who believed local breeds would outperform imported ones. This induction paid dividends in Kargil war.
- He is a fellow of National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, India, National Academy of Biological Sciences, India, Association of Food Scientists and Technologists (India), Indian Society of Vegetable Sciences and Horticulture Society of India. He is President of Indian Society for Protected Cultivation, New Delhi and Society for New Age Herbals, New Delhi. Dr Singh has to his credit four patents, six books, 6o research papers in National & International Journals of repute, 7 book chapters and 6 technical bulletins.
- He was awarded GB Pant University Merit,1964; Indira Priyadarshini Vrikshmitra Award, 1995, Ministry of Forest and Environment, Govt. of India; Academy of Plant Sciences International Plant Scientist Award 2002; Life Time Achievement Award of Agriculture Alumni Association, Pantnagar, 2012; and Shivshakti Life Time Achievement Award 2013 of Horticulture Society of India.
- Greening Leh Valley;
- Identifying and popularizing new fruit crop in India- THE SEABUKTHORN-storehouse of nutrition and medicines;
- Pioneering research on protected cultivation
- Development of herbal gardens at Leh and Rashtrapati Bhawan
- Development of vegetable varieties for high altitudes
- True Potato seed production in Leh valley
- Establishment of agriculture research stations (Pithoragrah, Tawang, and Partapur-near Siachen glacier) in high altitudes of Himalaya
- Animal production (poultry, dairy, goat, sheep) technologies in cold deserts of India
- Introduction of Jhanskar pony in Army at Ladakh
- Developing Self sustaining village "NANG" at height of 13500 ft above sea level.
- Giving idea of establishing permafrost facility at Changthang-2nd in world
- Highlighting hottest Chilli in world from Assam- a new species Capsicum assamensis.
- Documenting Flora of Ladakh and its potentials
- Breeding root knot nematode resistant tomato varieties
- Teaching Vegetable crops as assistant professor, HAU, Hisar in early seventies.
- SOURCE: apiv.in
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