Prof Parshant Bakshi bags IAHS Fellowship 2024

Jammu, Oct 29: Professor (Dr) Parshant Bakshi, a leading authority in Fruit Science and quality management, has been awarded the prestigious IAHS Fellowship for 2024 by the Indian Academy of Horticultural Sciences (IAHS).

Dr Bakshi is the first horticulturist from the Jammu region to receive this honour.

Established in 1942, the IAHS is dedicated to advancing research, education, and development in horticulture and allied sciences. Dr Bakshi currently leads the Division of Fruit Science and the Centre for Organic and Natural Farming at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu (SKUAST-J), where he has played a transformative role in promoting sustainable fruit production for over two decades.

The IAHS Fellowship 2024 will be formally presented to Dr Bakshi at a ceremony on November 15, 2024, at the NASC Complex in New Delhi.

Dr Bakshi has led 42 key research projects in his field, with 22 externally funded initiatives aimed at advancing horticultural science. His work covers a range of innovative practices, including high-density planting, mango orchard rejuvenation, anardana production and organic strawberry farming.

A prolific author, he has published over 130 research papers, in high impact international journals viz., Scientia Horticulturae, Food Chemistry, Resources, Environment and Sustainability, Heliyon; 15 books and 9 manuals, solidifying his reputation as an expert and educator.

Through his mentorship, he has guided 42 M Sc and 20 PhD students, many of whom now contribute significantly to the field.

Internationally recognized, Dr Bakshi has represented India at numerous FAO-led workshops and conferences, sharing his insights on sustainable horticulture in countries such as Israel, China, Indonesia, and Thailand. His commitment to knowledge dissemination extends to his popular YouTube channel, featuring over 440 educational videos that have garnered over 4.5 lakh views.

His website, www.krishisandesh.com, has served as a vital educational resource for agriculture professionals and students for over a decade.

Dr Bakshi’s impact has been recognized through numerous awards, including the NAHEP-IDP SKUAST-J Fellowship, which facilitated his 50 days visit to IPB Bogor, Indonesia for advanced research and collaboration. His contributions were also celebrated at the MANAGE Agri Film Festival, where he received the Best Language Film award in both 2022 and 2024 for his impactful videos on organic strawberry farming and citrus quality practices, respectively.

His “One Person, One Plant” initiative, which encourages widespread tree planting, has been recognized in FAO publications, inspiring communities toward environmental stewardship.

As an accomplished plant breeder, Dr Bakshi developed the Parbat walnut variety and Jammu Mango - Selection 5 by Central Variety Release Committee, New Delhi, enhancing local productivity and contributing to national income. He has been awarded a patent from the UK and has filed four additional patents, with over 25 of his developed technologies for fruit crops now included in the SKUAST-J package of practices on fruit crops.