Rohitashw Kumar | Sustainability Strategies | Lifetime achievement Award

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Prof Dr. Rohitashw Kumar | Sustainability Strategies | Lifetime achievement Award

Prof Dr. Rohitashw Kumar, SKUAST-Kashmir Srinagar, India

Dr. Rohitashw Kumar (b. 15 August 1973) is a seasoned academic and innovator in agricultural engineering. Currently serving as the Associate Dean of the College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology and Head of the Division of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), he is a pioneering figure in the integration of artificial intelligence and smart technologies in agriculture. His career spans over two decades of excellence in research, teaching, and institutional leadership, underscored by numerous national awards and impactful publications. 🌾📡

 📘 Profile

Googlescholar

🎓 Education

Dr. Kumar earned his Ph.D. in Water Resources Engineering from the National Institute of Technology, Hamirpur in 2014, focusing on moisture uptake modelling in multi-layered soils. He previously completed his M.E. in Irrigation Water Management Engineering (1999) and B.E. in Agricultural Engineering (1997) from the College of Technology & Agricultural Engineering, Udaipur. His academic foundation is rooted in strong mathematical and scientific principles developed through his schooling in Rajasthan. 📘🧠

🧪 Experience

With rich experience in academia, Dr. Kumar has led multiple high-impact initiatives at SKUAST-K. He was a Visiting Fellow at Western Sydney University, Australia (April–June 2022), contributing to global agricultural research. As a mentor, he has guided award-winning M.Tech. theses and collaborated on national projects in watershed hydrology, protected cultivation, and automation in agriculture. His leadership extends beyond education into policy and applied research benefiting farming communities. 🌍🔬

🔬 Research Interests

Dr. Kumar’s interdisciplinary research blends advanced technology with environmental sustainability. His interests include artificial intelligence in agriculture, IoT-based automation systems, protected cultivation, hydroponics, and water resource modeling. His Ph.D. focused on plant-soil moisture interactions, while his ongoing work explores smart irrigation systems and watershed hydrology. His innovative approach continues to bridge engineering solutions with practical agricultural applications. 💧🤖🌱

🏆 Awards

Dr. Kumar’s illustrious career is decorated with national honors. He was awarded the Professor Water Chair by the Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India, and the National Geospatial Faculty Fellow Award (2024) by IIT Bombay. Other accolades include the Gold Medal Award (2022), Leadership Award (2020), Distinguished Alumni Award (2019), and Special Research Awards (2017, 2015). His excellence in mentoring, publishing, and environmental protection has earned him over a dozen national recognitions. 🥇📜

📚 Publication Top Notes

A review on emerging water contaminants and the application of sustainable removal technologies

Climate change and its impact on plant diseases

Climate change and its impact on agricultural productivity in India

Impact of COVID-related lockdowns on environmental and climate change scenarios

Methods to estimate irrigated reference crop evapotranspiration–a review

Sustainable nanotechnology based wastewater treatment strategies: achievements, challenges and future perspectives

Methods to estimate evapotranspiration in humid and subtropical climate conditions

Biogas: a boon for sustainable energy development in India׳ s cold climate

Desalination: From ancient to present and future

The evolution of agricultural drainage from the earliest times to the presen

Vyta Hanifah | rural and economics development | Best Researcher Award

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Ms. Vyta Hanifah – rural and economics development – Best Researcher Award

Alignment with Award Category

Vyta’s research aligns exceptionally well with the Best Researcher Award or Excellence in Research for Social Impact Award categories. Her work embodies the principles of innovation, inclusivity, sustainability, and policy relevance, making her a prime candidate whose contributions extend beyond academia into tangible improvements in livelihoods and development practices.

 University of Adelaide | Indonesia

Profile
Orcid
Scopus

Scholar

🎓Early Academic Pursuits 

Education and Training

Vyta W. Hanifah embarked on her academic journey with a keen interest in agricultural development and rural economics. She earned her Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree from IPB University (Bogor Agricultural University) in Indonesia, where she developed foundational expertise in agriculture and rural livelihoods. This early education inspired her to explore global perspectives, leading to a Master of Science (MSc) degree from the University of Manchester, United Kingdom. Her master’s studies sharpened her analytical capabilities in agricultural economics, development policy, and gender inclusion, preparing her for an impactful career in both national and international development contexts.

💼Professional Endeavors 

Academic Positions

Vyta W. Hanifah has built a remarkable career spanning government agencies, international development organizations, and academic institutions. She currently serves as a Researcher at the National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia, where she contributes to evidence-based policy development and program evaluation in agricultural sectors. Her professional experience includes impactful roles in World Bank-funded projects, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and collaborative research supported by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR). Through these roles, Vyta has contributed to strategic initiatives aimed at improving rural livelihoods, developing extension models, and promoting gender-inclusive development in Indonesia.

📚Contributions and Research Focus on rural and economics development

Vyta W. Hanifah’s research is distinguished by its interdisciplinary scope, combining agricultural economics, gender studies, and rural development. Her current PhD thesis investigates women’s empowerment and agricultural extension in dairy farming, a timely topic that addresses gender disparities in agricultural access and decision-making.

She has successfully contributed to or led eight significant research projects, including:

  1. IndoDairy Project (2017–2020): Evaluated and piloted innovative extension models to improve smallholder profitability.

  2. ADB-funded projects with PT Cisarua Mountain Dairy (2021–2023): Focused on gender empowerment through training in dairy farming and financial literacy.

  3. SMARTD Project (2016–2019): Promoted sustainable management and dissemination of agricultural technologies across Indonesia.

  4. Straw-Cow Project (2009–2013): Improved reproductive performance in cattle for low-input systems.

  5. SEZ Impact Assessment in Kendal Regency (2022): Examined regional economic policy impacts.

  6. FEATI and SADI Projects: Strengthened farmer empowerment through information systems and agribusiness development.

🏆Accolades and Recognition 

While still in the early stages of her academic career, Vyta has received international recognition for her policy-relevant research and developmental impact. Her involvement with institutions such as ACIAR, the World Bank, and ADB reflects the high level of trust and respect she commands in the development community. Her research projects have been cited in national development strategies, and she continues to be a valued contributor to collaborative research networks in Australia and Indonesia.

🌍 Impact and Influence 

Community Impact

Vyta W. Hanifah’s work has had a profound impact on rural development practices, gender-sensitive extension services, and public policy frameworks in Indonesia. Her contributions to designing gender-responsive training modules for dairy farmers have enabled more inclusive participation in agricultural economies. By using participatory approaches and focusing on empirical, data-driven methods, Vyta bridges the gap between field realities and national policy formulation. Her ability to synthesize grassroots experiences into meaningful policy insights is a rare and valuable skill that enhances the relevance and sustainability of development initiatives.

🔮Legacy and Future Contributions 

Vyta’s academic and professional journey is defined by her passion for inclusive and sustainable agriculture. As she advances in her doctoral studies at the University of Adelaide, her work is expected to influence the design of gender-responsive agricultural extension systems not just in Indonesia, but globally.

Her research interests will likely continue to focus on:

  • Women’s agency in rural economies

  • Agricultural innovation and productivity

  • Sustainable development policy

  • Evidence-based gender programming

Conclusion

Vyta W. Hanifah is a rising thought leader in the field of agricultural economics and gender-inclusive development. With a robust educational background, extensive fieldwork experience, and a passion for impactful research, she continues to shape the future of sustainable agriculture in Indonesia and beyond. Her journey from IPB University to the University of Adelaide, with significant contributions in World Bank and ACIAR-funded projects, reflects a career built on excellence, empathy, and innovation. Vyta’s vision of empowering rural women and transforming agricultural systems holds immense promise for global development agendas in the years to come.

📚Publications

Does a special economic zone impact the surrounding economy? The case study of Kendal, Indonesia

 Authors:  Irwanda Wisnu Wardhana; Indri Riesfandiari; Erizal Jamal; Vyta W. Hanifah; Pihri Pihri; Felix Wisnu Handoyo; Nugroho Purwono; Rizky Prayogo Ramadhan; Budhi Setyawan; Michal Placek et al.

Journals: Humanities and Social Sciences Communications

Farmers’ knowledge and practice regarding good agricultural practices (GAP) on safe pesticide usage in Indonesia

Authors: Istriningsih; Yovita Anggita Dewi; Astrina Yulianti; Vyta W. Hanifah; Erizal Jamal; Dadang; Muhrizal Sarwani; Maesti Mardiharini; Iwan Setiajie Anugrah; Valeriana Darwis et al.

Journals: Heliyon

Saluran Komunikasi Lembaga Riset Publik dalam Penyiapan Teknologi Peternakan Mendukung Pengembangan Subsistem Agribisnis Hulu

Authors:  Vyta W. Hanifah; Istriningsih Istriningsih; Yovita Anggita Dewi

Journals: Jurnal Ternak