Doctorate Akshay Kumar Yogi: Associate Scientist at International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics – India
Dr. Akshay Kumar Yogi is an Associate Scientist in Agronomy at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), India, where he leads pioneering work in sustainable agriculture and climate-resilient millet-based systems. With a deep-rooted commitment to addressing challenges in dryland agriculture, Dr. Yogi integrates advanced agronomic practices with grassroots innovations to empower smallholder farmers. His expertise spans conservation agriculture, nutrient-use efficiency, water-smart techniques, and cropping system intensification. Through large-scale field research and farmer-participatory trials, he is developing scalable models for climate adaptation and food security, especially in ecologically fragile and resource-poor regions.
Online Profiles
As of 2025, Dr. Akshay Kumar Yogi has accumulated 54 citations, with an h-index of 3 and an i10-index of 2, reflecting the growing recognition and impact of his research in sustainable agriculture, conservation agronomy, and climate-resilient cropping systems since 2020. His work continues to gain traction within the academic and applied agronomy communities.
Education
Dr. Yogi holds a Ph.D. in Agronomy from ICAR-IARI, New Delhi (2019–2023), where he focused on developing sustainable intensification options for conservation agriculture-based pearl millet–mustard systems. His M.Sc. in Agronomy, also from ICAR-IARI (2017–2019), involved work on zinc biofortification in upland rice in North-East India. He completed his B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture from SKNAU, Jobner, Rajasthan (2013–2017). His academic background laid a strong foundation in field experimentation, nutrient management, and agro-ecological adaptation strategies for resilient food systems.
Research Focus
Dr. Yogi’s research is centered around the integration of conservation agriculture principles with climate-smart practices to improve the sustainability and resilience of dryland cropping systems. His work emphasizes millet-based innovations, regenerative farming, site-specific nutrient management, and resource-use efficiency. He also works on biofortification and soil health improvement through residue management, precision inputs, and crop diversification strategies. His goal is to develop scalable, context-specific farming models that not only enhance productivity but also address long-term ecological and socio-economic sustainability.
Experience
Currently serving as an Associate Scientist at ICRISAT since 2024, Dr. Yogi leads multidisciplinary programs across Eastern India with a focus on millet-centered agro-innovation platforms. Previously, from 2019 to 2023, he worked as a Senior Research Fellow at ICAR-IARI on national and international collaborative projects in conservation agriculture and sustainable intensification. He has hands-on experience in designing and managing long-term field trials, farmer participatory research (OFTs), data analytics (R Studio), scientific communication, and capacity-building programs. His work connects scientific innovation with extension outreach, making real impact at the grassroots.
Research Timeline
From 2017 to 2019, Dr. Yogi worked on zinc biofortification in upland rice during his master’s research, addressing hidden hunger through agronomic interventions. His Ph.D. (2019–2023) focused on system-level intensification strategies under conservation agriculture for pearl millet–mustard systems. During this period, he led field trials exploring tillage, residue retention, and crop productivity. From 2023 onward, at ICRISAT, he has been actively implementing millet-based interventions in Bihar, integrating water-smart and regenerative practices to combat climate variability and soil degradation, with a vision to create scalable impact across rainfed regions.
Awards & Honors
Dr. Yogi has been the recipient of several prestigious fellowships and recognitions for his academic and research excellence. These include the ICAR National Talent Scholarship (PG) in 2017, IARI Junior Fellowship (2017), and IARI Senior Fellowship (2019). He qualified the ASRB-NET in Agronomy in 2022 and secured the UGC-JRF in Environmental Science the same year. He also represented IARI in multiple National Agri Sports Meets and cultural fests, and delivered national-level radio talks on millets, further highlighting his contributions to both science and outreach.
Top-Noted Publication
One of Dr. Yogi’s most cited and impactful publications is: Yogi A.K. et al. (2023), “Elucidating the interactive impact of tillage, residue retention, and system intensification on pearl millet yield stability and biofortification under rainfed agro-ecosystems,” published in Frontiers in Nutrition. This study provides critical insights into how conservation agriculture-based practices can simultaneously improve yield stability, micronutrient content, and sustainability in dryland farming systems. DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1205926
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Dawar R., Nirmal R.C., Yogi A.K., Kakraliya M., Vishwakarma H., Bana R.S. (2025). Agro-Techniques for the Cultivation of Sesame. In: Sesame: Sustainable Production and Applications, pp. 57–80.
A comprehensive chapter outlining improved agro-techniques for sesame cultivation, including water, nutrient, and pest management practices for climate-resilient production. -
Yogi A.K. (2023). Developing intensification options to enhance productivity and resource use efficiency of conservation agriculture-based pearl millet–mustard cropping system. Ph.D. Thesis, Division of Agronomy, ICAR-IARI, New Delhi.
This doctoral research explored integrated tillage, residue, and nutrient strategies to sustainably intensify dryland cereal-legume systems under conservation agriculture. -
Meena D.K., Kumar A., Bhatnagar A., Yogi A.K., Dawar R., Singh T. (2023). Development, productivity and profitability of two cultivars of soybean (Glycine max L.) under the effect of foliar spray of thiourea. Annals of Agricultural Research, 44(2): 204–209.
Evaluated the role of thiourea foliar spray in enhancing productivity and economic returns in soybean under rainfed conditions. -
Yogi A.K., Bana R.S., Bamboriya S.D. (2023). Effect of zinc management practices on growth, yield and biofortification of upland rice genotypes under Eastern Himalayas ecologies. Annals of Agricultural Research, 43(4): 391–395.
Studied the interactive effects of zinc fertilization strategies on rice performance and nutritional quality in fragile hill ecosystems.
Strength for the Climate Action Award
1. Innovation in Climate-Smart Agriculture
Dr. Yogi has pioneered a millet-centered innovation model that integrates conservation agriculture, regenerative farming, precision nutrient application, and water-smart practices. His scientifically grounded approach directly addresses the climate crisis by promoting low-carbon, high-efficiency farming tailored to semi-arid and rainfed ecosystems.
2. Scalable Impact on Smallholder Farmers
Through large-scale field trials and on-farm demonstrations in Bihar and Eastern India, Dr. Yogi’s interventions have reached over 500,000 smallholder farmers. His models are context-specific yet replicable, enabling widespread adoption of climate-resilient practices in ecologically vulnerable regions.
3. Strengthening Soil Health and Resource Efficiency
His research emphasizes residue recycling, zinc biofortification, and reduced tillage—strategies that enhance soil organic carbon, improve nutrient use efficiency, and reduce emissions from farming activities. These practices contribute to long-term ecological sustainability and climate mitigation.
4. Science-Policy-Farmer Integration
Dr. Yogi bridges the gap between research and field application by collaborating with institutions, policymakers, and local farming communities. His communication skills and scientific outreach—through publications, workshops, and national radio programs—foster greater awareness and faster dissemination of climate-smart practices.
5. Alignment with Global and National Climate Goals
His work directly contributes to SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), and India’s National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA). By promoting millet adoption and climate-resilient cropping systems, Dr. Yogi supports both nutritional security and ecological restoration.
Eligibility for the Climate Action Award
Dr. Akshay Kumar Yogi is highly eligible for the Climate Action Award due to his leadership in designing and implementing scalable, science-backed solutions for climate adaptation in agriculture. His integrated models address soil degradation, climate vulnerability, and food insecurity in some of India’s most stressed regions. With a strong research foundation (Ph.D. in Agronomy), international institutional backing (ICRISAT), field-level success, and policy-aligned impact, Dr. Yogi exemplifies the criteria required for recognition in climate innovation, community transformation, and sustainable agricultural development.