Devout agri scientist at work

Dinesh Kanwar

An agricultural scientist from Hamirpur has successfully propagated seeds of off-seasonal vegetables, thereby preventing the country from importing seeds from other countries. 

Dr DK Sharma’s creation has reduced the import of seeds on the one hand and helped thousands of farmers in adopting the cultivation of advanced varieties of vegetables, including broccoli, cauliflower, carrot and cabbage.

Hailing from remotely located Fagot village, near Bhareri, in Bhoraj subdivision, Dr DK Sharma studied from Government Senior Secondary School, Bhareri, and did his higher studies from Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur. 

Being an outstanding student, he was also awarded various citations by the university. At present, he is the Managing Director of the Research and Development Centre of Asen Highways Limited at Chandigarh. Dr DK Sharma has worked for the propagation of hybrid seeds at Palampur agricultural university’s Agriculture Research and Extension Centre, Bajaura, in Kullu district.

Son of ex-serviceman Nand Lal Sharma, DK Sharma is a devoted scientist. While talking to The Tribune, DK Sharma said his motive was to provide cheap and good quality seeds to farmers, so that their investment on production could be reduced. 

He said the cost of imported seeds is too high and many small and marginal farmers cannot afford it, adding that new seed varieties will help farmers in having a better crop yield, which can be helpful in improving their economy.

Dr DK Sharma was honoured with the Best Citizen of India award by Global Economic Progress and Research Association on January 26 at Bengaluru. The award was conferred by former Union Minister of State for Planning MV Rajashekhran. 

"My motive was to provide cheap and good quality seeds to farmers, so that their investment on production could be reduced. The cost of imported seeds is too high and many small and marginal farmers cannot afford it. New seed varieties will help farmers in having a better crop yield, which can be helpful in improving their economy." Dr DK Sharma, Agricultural scientist