Nauni Varsity Gets New Joint Directors in Extension and Research
2 min read
May 15, 2026
Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni has assigned new responsibilities to its two scientists with the appointment of new Joint Directors in the Directorate of Extension Education and the Directorate of Research.
Dr. Parminder Kaur Baweja has been appointed as Joint Director (Training and Communication) in the Directorate of Extension Education. An expert in Climate Smart Farming, Dr. Baweja has made significant contributions in the areas of sustainable agriculture, climate-resilient farming practices and farmer-oriented extension activities. A seasoned environmental scientist and extension specialist, Dr. Parminder joined the university in 1998 under the Gramin Krishi Mausam Seva project funded by the IMD. With over 28 years of experience in teaching, research and extension education, she has made significant contributions in climate science, agrometeorology and climate-resilient agriculture. Her weather-based agro-advisory services have benefited more than 2.30 lakh farmers through SMS advisories. She is currently leading a ₹37 lakh project on Digital Climate Smart Hill Farming focused on developing an AI-enabled weather advisory mobile application.
Dr. Parminder has also played a key role in implementing climate-smart model village initiatives across Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and other states, enhancing farmers’ resilience to climate variability. She has published extensively and has authored and edited 10 books and manuals and has guided more than 14 postgraduate and 4 doctoral students. In recognition of her outstanding contributions, she was conferred with the ‘Pride of Solan Award’ in 2017.
Additionally, Senior Scientist Dr Pradeep Kumar has been appointed Joint Director Research (Forestry) in the Directorate of Research. Dr Pradeep has around two decades of experience in research, extension and academics. Dr Kumar has been instrumental in research on the effect of forest management regimes on stand structure and carbon storage potential of forest soils. He has done extensive work on characterization of forest soils and nutrient management in horticulture crops.
Besides Dr Kumar has standardized drip Irrigation and fertigation Schedules in apple and apricot and evaluated regulated deficit drip irrigation strategies. He has extensively worked in demonstrations on construction of plastic lined tanks, plantation and moisture conservation techniques for replantation for orchards. He has guided several MSc and doctorate scholars besides regularly publishing his research findings in national and international journals.
