| CUTM, Odisha | INDIA
Dr. Vineeta Chandra is an accomplished academic and agricultural researcher with a strong interdisciplinary orientation toward agricultural extension, entrepreneurship, sustainable agriculture, precision agriculture, rural development, and climate-smart agricultural practices. Her academic and professional development has been strengthened through specialized courses, national and international training programmes, workshops, conferences, and practical exposure to emerging agricultural technologies.
She has completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Agricultural Extension Management (PGDAEM) from MANAGE, Hyderabad, along with a Diploma in Computer Application and a course in Entrepreneurship Development through BHU MOOCs. Her academic foundation also includes Intermediate education from Gurunanak Higher Senior Secondary School, Ranchi, and matriculation from D.A.V. Public School, Khalari, Ranchi.
Research Expertise & Areas of Interest
Dr. Chandra's research work demonstrates a particular focus on agricultural entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial behaviour of farmers, agricultural extension, rural development, MGNREGA, vegetable cultivation, crop residue management, climate-smart agriculture, and sustainable farming systems. Her research also incorporates quantitative and analytical approaches, including psychometric scale development, factor analysis, bibliometric analysis, and systematic reviews.
Her work on entrepreneurial behaviour among vegetable and Makhana growers, agripreneurship constraints, farmers' attitudes, and agricultural extension reflects her commitment to improving farmer capacity, livelihoods, and sustainable agricultural practices.
Research Publications & Scholarly Contributions
Dr. Vineeta Chandra has contributed research papers, review papers, popular articles, book chapters, and edited books to the agricultural research and extension literature.
Her research publications include studies on:
- Agricultural entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial behaviour
- Psychometric scale development for farmers
- Agripreneurship constraints among vegetable growers
- MGNREGA beneficiaries and rural development
- Improved cauliflower cultivation practices
- Crop residue management
- Entrepreneurial behaviour of Makhana growers
She has also authored review papers addressing entrepreneurial behaviour in smallholder farming, Krishi Vigyan Kendra interventions, protected cultivation, agro-tourism, millets, and climate-risk management in agriculture.
Books & Book Chapters
Dr. Chandra has contributed chapters on women's leadership in technology, information technology in agriculture, and intercultural communication in agricultural extension. She has also served as editor of several books, including Research Methodology in Extension, Climate Smart Agriculture for Sustainable Tomorrow, Integrated Approaches in Agricultural and Allied Sciences, and Economics and Rural Development Strategies.
Patents & Innovation
Dr. Vineeta Chandra has three approved patents, demonstrating her contribution to agricultural innovation and technology development:
- Smart Horticultural Spreader Machine
- Smart Transport Crate for Stevia
- Alphabets in Drones
These innovations reflect her interest in applying technology to agricultural production, handling, transportation, and educational applications.
Drone Technology & Precision Agriculture
A notable aspect of Dr. Chandra's professional profile is her specialization in drone technology for agriculture. She is a DGCA-certified Drone Remote Pilot Certificate holder in the Rotorcraft, Small category and has accumulated approximately 100 hours of flight experience. She has also completed a DGCA-certified Drone Train the Trainer Course.
Her engagement with drone technology, precision agriculture, and sustainable agricultural production demonstrates her ability to integrate emerging technologies with agricultural research and extension.
Training, Workshops & Professional Development
Dr. Chandra has undertaken extensive national and international training, including programmes on organic farming, research-data analysis using R, sustainable agricultural production technologies, future agriculture, research methodology, agricultural schemes and India's agricultural vision, and novel approaches in agricultural systems.
She has also participated in workshops on research, publication and ethics; drones in action; and precision agriculture. Notably, she served as a Lead Speaker in a three-day national workshop on Precision Agriculture conducted in October 2024.
Her professional development further includes Faculty Development Programmes on Environmental Science, Sustainable Agriculture and Human Health and Vision 2025@ Centurion.
Academic Activities & Outreach
Dr. Chandra has actively participated in academic seminars and entrepreneurship programmes addressing soil morphology, climate change, water and soil management, entrepreneurship, sustainable farming, and water harvesting. She has also demonstrated practical and innovative skills through the preparation and presentation of live models on sustainable farming systems for flood-prone areas and water harvesting and management for crop cultivation.
Eligibility for Best Researcher Award
Dr. Vineeta Chandra is eligible for the Best Researcher Award in Scientific Laurels in recognition of her sustained contributions to agricultural research, extension education, innovation, and technology-oriented sustainable agriculture.
Her eligibility is supported by her research publications, review papers, popular articles, book chapters, edited books, three approved patents, specialized expertise in drone technology and precision agriculture, and extensive participation in national and international training programmes. Her research addressing agricultural entrepreneurship, farmer behaviour, rural development, climate-smart agriculture, and sustainable agricultural practices demonstrates both academic relevance and practical societal impact.
Her interdisciplinary approach—combining agricultural extension, entrepreneurship, data analysis, precision agriculture, drone technology, innovation, and sustainable development—further strengthens her profile as a researcher contributing to contemporary agricultural challenges. Her record of scholarly publications, intellectual-property contributions, academic leadership, and professional development makes her a deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award – Scientific Laurels.