Punjab State Farmers’ & Farm Workers’ Commission

Punjab State Agricultural Policy

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Punjab State Agricultural Policy

ਪੰਜਾਬ ਰਾਜ ਦੀ ਖੇਤੀ ਨੀਤੀ

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Punjab State Farmers’ & Farm Workers’ Commission (Kalkat Bhawan)
Ground Floor, Aerocity, Block-C, Airport Chowk, S.A.S. Nagar (Mohali), Punjab.

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Ex-Chairmen

Gurcharan Singh Kalkat

Gurcharan Singh Kalkat was an Indian agricultural scientist and the founder chairman of the Punjab State Farmers Commission (PSFC), known for his contributions in bringing the green revolution to Punjab.
GS Kalkat is known to have initiated the cooperation between Punjab Agricultural University and the farmers for fast dissemination of modern agricultural methods. He is also credited with initiatives for coordination between the local cooperatives and the Punjab State Cooperative Marketing Federation for smooth disbursal of farming credits and supply of materials. During his stint as the agricultural commissioner, he got the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and National Seeds Corporation involved in various state level agricultural programmes. He has also worked with Norman Borlaug when the Nobel Laureate was working on high yielding wheat varieties in the 1960s. The Government of India awarded him the fourth highest Indian civilian honour of Padma Shri in 1981 and followed it up with the third highest Indian civilian award of Padma Bhushan in 2007.

Ex-Chairmen

Ajay Vir Jakhar

Ajay Vir Jakhar is a citrus farmer based in Village: Maujgarh, Tehsil: Abohar, Dist.: Fazilka in Punjab, India. Is member of various co-operatives societies and actively participates in their activities.
He is Chairman of Bharat Krishak Samaj (Farmers’ Forum, India) which was formed in 1955 and is a non-political, non-sectarian association of farmers’ advocating for farmer prosperity. Regularly holds Seminars and Conferences on issues of relevance to the farming community and participates and speaks at various National and International Forums. His articles appear regularly in various newspapers and publications. Is the Editor of agriculture magazines; “Farmers’ Forum” and “Krishak Samachar” targeting farmers, policy makers and those that influence policy in India.
Passionately advocates policies for farmer prosperity, self-sustainability & equal opportunities. Enjoys walking and reading.

Ex-Chairmen

Avtar Singh Dhindsa

Graduated from Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) Ludhiana in January, 1979 after completing BSc. Agriculture and MSc. Floriculture. After brief managerial assignment with Hero Fibres Ltd., started landscaping consultancy and later joined as a Landscape Officer in Improvement Trust, Ludhiana.
After Initial success with the production of various kinds of flower seeds paved way to expand his business from 3.5 acres to 1500 acres. Today, with 800 acres under production in Punjab, has the biggest flower seed exporting company in the country to over 25 countries. The seeds produced by him are exported to various countries of Europe, USA and Japan, which has brought Punjab in the world map of flower seeds. Later in 1994, have also diversified into vegetable seeds production of OP and F1 seeds. 

Currently producing vegetable seeds in approximately 2500 -3000 acres depending on yearly orders for export only. Today his production programme is also located outside Punjab in the states of Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, J&K, Karnataka, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.

Prof Dr Sukhpal Singh
Prof Dr Sukhpal Singh
Chairman, Punjab State Farmers’ and Farm Workers’ Commission, Mohali
Former Principal Economist (Agricultural Marketing) & Head, Department of Economics and Sociology
Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana

sukhpalpau@yahoo.com     +91-9876063523
Personal & Educational Background
  • Date of Birth: 13 November 1962
  • Place of Birth: Village Bappiana, District Mansa, Punjab
  • Education:
  • Professional Capacity Building Program (Agricultural Research for Development) – ICRA, Netherlands, 2004 (Fellowship Award)
  • Ph.D. in Economics – Punjabi University, Patiala, 1993
  • M.Phil. (Economics) – Punjabi University, 1988
  • M.A. (Economics) – Punjabi University, 1986
  • B.A. (Economics, Punjabi, English, Maths) – Punjabi University, 1983 (First in Economics & Punjabi in College)
    • Present Position
    Chairman,
    Punjab State Farmers’ and Farm Workers’ Commission, Mohali.
    Date of Appointment: 12-09-2022
    Academic & Professional Experience
    Dr. Sukhpal Singh has over three decades of academic, research, and policy experience in agricultural economics, rural distress, and agricultural marketing. His association with Punjab State Farmers’ and Farm Workers’ Commission and Punjab Agricultural University has been marked by significant leadership in teaching, research, and institutional development.
    • Principal Economist/Professor, PAU Ludhiana (2006-2022).
    • Head, Department of Economics & Sociology, PAU (2014–2018).
    • Agricultural Economist, PAU (1998–2006).
    • Lecturer in Economics, Punjabi University, Patiala, and SDC Barnala (1992–1998).
    • Assistant Research Officer (Lecturer), PAU (1991–1992).
    Administrative Positions Held
    Dr. Sukhpal Singh has held several key administrative and advisory positions at the university, state, and national levels:
    • Chairman, Agricultural Policy Formulation Committee, Government of Punjab (2023).
    • Member, High-Powered Committee on Agrarian Reforms by the Honourable Supreme Court of India (2024-Present).
    • Head, Department of Economics and Sociology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana (2014–2018).
    • President, Indian Society of Agricultural Development and Policy (ISAD&P), Ludhiana (2014–2018).
    • Vice-President, Indian Society of Agricultural Economics (ISAE), Mumbai (2015–2017).
    • Member, State Evaluation Committee constituted by the Governor of Punjab (2016–2018).
    • Coordinator, Farmers and Agricultural Labour Suicides Study, Government of Punjab (2012–2018).
    • Member, Boards of Studies at PAU, GNDU, and Punjabi University (2015–2022).
    • Member, Academic Council, Punjab Agricultural University (2018).
    Research, Projects & Publications
    • Research Projects: Over 80 major studies completed for ICAR, NABARD, State Government, Punjab State Farmers and Farm Workers Commission, CICR and international agencies.
  • Key themes: Indebtedness, Agrarian Crisis, Farmer Suicides, Agricultural Labour, Institutional Credit, Marketing, and Policy Formulation.
    • Publications:
  • Books: 2
    1. Taking More Than a Commission: A Critique of the Commission Agent System in Punjab Agriculture (Dr M.S. Randhawa Best Book Award).
    2. Dynamics of Rural Poverty.
  • Research Papers: Over 100 in reputed journals including Economic & Political Weekly, Indian Journal of Agricultural Economics, and Current Science.
  • Policy Reports & Bulletins: 80+
  • Popular Articles: 80+ in national dailies like The Tribune, Indian Express, Times of India, and Punjabi Tribune.
    • Contribution to Punjab State Agricultural Policy (2023)
    Dr. Sukhpal Singh served as the Chairman of the Agricultural Policy Formulation Committee constituted by the Government of Punjab for drafting the Punjab State Agricultural Policy (2023). Under his leadership, the Committee developed a comprehensive framework aimed at developing Punjab’s agrarian sector as healthier, profitable and globally competitive. Drawing upon his long-standing research on farm indebtedness, market structures, and rural livelihoods, Dr. Sukhpal provided the intellectual foundation and policy direction that shaped the final document.

    The policy was framed through an inclusive and research-based process, involving consultations with farmers, scientists, economists, and civil society representatives. It emphasised diversification from the wheat-paddy system, sustainable use of natural resources, value addition, cooperative marketing, and welfare measures for farmers and farm workers. Dr. Sukhpal’s analytical depth and practical orientation ensured that the policy was both visionary and implementable.

    The Punjab State Agricultural Policy (2023) received widespread appreciation from farmers, scholars, and government agencies alike. It was commended for its cooperative based approach, comprehensive scope, and responsiveness to the real challenges facing Punjab’s agricultural economy. Dr. Sukhpal’s leadership and contribution were recognised as instrumental in creating a policy framework that aligns academic insight with the needs of farmers and the future of sustainable agriculture in the state.
    Academic & Professional Contributions
    • International Exposure: Participated in academic assignments and conferences in Netherlands, Ghana, USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
    • Editorial Roles:
  • Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Agricultural Policy and Development.
  • Peer reviewer for multiple national journals.
    • Awards & Honours (Selected)
    • Jawala Singh Thathian Yadagari Puruskar – Australia (2022)
    • Award of Honour for valuable contribution in the field of “Agriculture, Farming and Rural Economy” Indoz Punjabi Sahit Academy of Australia (2020).
    • Dr Nirmal Singh Azad Award- awarded by District Literature Centre Gurdaspur (Regd) at Gurdaspur (2019).
    • Best Paper Award for paper entitled “Migration and rural society of Punjab” in 5th World Punjabi Conference on 29 June 2019 at Brampton, Ontario, Canada.
    • Dr. M.S. Randhawa Best Book Award – PAU, Ludhiana (2013)
    • Parman Patra (State Award) – Government of Punjab (2013)
    • Agro-Scientist of the Year – Confederation of Indian Industry (2013)
    • Dr. Anamitra Saha Award, awarded by Indian Society of Agricultural Economics (2011).
    • German Fellowship Award – ICRA, Netherlands (2004)
    Research Focus & Strengths
    • Agrarian crisis, farm indebtedness, market reforms, and socio-economic transformation of Punjab’s rural economy.
    • Deep engagement with policy research leading to real-world outcomes such as:
  • Punjab State Agricultural Policy, 2023
  • Compensation for suicide-affected families
  • Farm debt waiver programmes
  • Direct payment of farm produce to farmers’ accounts