Dr. Bhagwat Saran Asati
Professor (Vegetable Science)
Dr. Bhagwat Saran Asati began his career as a Scientist/Assistant Professor in Horticulture at Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur, in 2008. Currently, he serves as a Professor in Vegetable Science at the RABL College of Agriculture & Research Station, Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Chhuikhadan, District KCG, Chhattisgarh, India.
Dr. Asati has taught both graduate and postgraduate courses and has supervised numerous M.Sc. and Ph.D. students. He has been involved in over 25 research projects from various funding bodies, including ICAR, IGKV, State and Central Governments, NABARD, and Jila Panchayat. These projects focus on research, training, and extension activities related to horticultural crops. Throughout his academic career, he has participated in numerous national and international seminars (held in the Philippines, South Africa, and Brazil) where he presented research papers. Additionally, Dr. Asati has published over 51 research papers, 65 popular articles, 25 leaflets and folders, 7 books, 6 practical manuals, and 15 extension bulletins. He is a life and annual member of many esteemed journals and magazines.
Over the past eight years, Dr. Asati has conducted groundbreaking research on drumstick (Moringa), collecting 240 types of germplasm from various regions of India. In an innovative move, he initiated Moringa Day on August 18, 2017, to raise awareness about Moringa cultivation and its value-added products. He has developed several Moringa villages, such as Nathunagaon, Nawagaon, Bharregaon, and Dhamansara in the Rajnandgaon district of Chhattisgarh, to promote drumstick farming. Dr. Asati has also developed a variety of nutrient-rich, biofortified Moringa products, including Moringa tea, ready-to-cook pulao, cookies, bread, toast, ready-to-eat poha, Moringa capsules, chocolate, muffins, tablets, soup, and Moringa drinks, all aimed at combating malnutrition in underprivileged communities.
In addition to his work with Moringa, Dr. Asati has undertaken research on betel leaf and has developed unique products such as Paan ice cream and Paan chocolate. He has also developed the “Chhattisgarh Lemon Grass-1” variety, with additional varieties of Moringa, Coriander, and Amaranthus in development for release within Chhattisgarh.
Under his guidance, several farmers in the state have been recognized as Progressive Farmers by prestigious organizations like IARI (New Delhi), the Chhattisgarh Government, and Indira Gandhi Agricultural University, Raipur.
Dr. Asati’s contributions have been widely recognized with multiple awards, including: ISSN Lifetime Achievement Award (2024), Global Scientist Award (2023), MS Swaminathan Award (2023), ISSN International Research Vibhushan Award (2021), Excellence in Research Award (2020), Scientist of the Year (2019), Outstanding Scientist Award (2016), Excellence in Teaching Award (2014), Young Scientist Associate Award (2010), Bhumi Nirman Award (2000) and Young Scientist Award (2008).
