YB

Yadunath Bajgai

The Ohio State University, Agriculture Research and Development Centre, Yusipang, University of New England, Chiang Mai University, RNR-Research and Development Centre Bajo, DoA, MoAF

Research areas: Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Soil Science · Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics · Soil Management and Crop Yield · Soil erosion and sediment transport

ORCID iD 0000-0001-9822-2581
Follow

About

Graduated with B.Sc (Hons) in Agriculture from the then University of Wales, Bangor (now Bangor University) in the United Kingdom in 1998. After graduation I worked for agriculture extension and development under Ministry of Agriculture of the Royal Government of Bhutan for 6 years before undergoing a masters degree in agriculture (agricultural system) from Chiang Mai University in Thailand. After obtaining masters degree in 2006 he continued agriculture extension and development work. He has completed a PhD in Agriculture (soil science) from the University of New England, Armidale, Australia. He has worked for 13 years in Punakha and Pemagatshel. He has many years of experience in working with extension services covering knowledge dissemination on management of crops, commodities and rural agricultural infrastructure development like farm roads, market sheds and extension centers development which contribute significantly for enhancement of rural livelihoods.

After earning a PhD turned his career path changed to agricultural research at the Agriculture Research and Development Center at Bajo, DoA, MoAF in Wangdue, Bhutan in 2013. At this center he was responsible for management and administration of the research center as well as spearheading the soil fertility management and sustainable land use management component of the research center. At Bajo, he initiated several research and development projects including a major 5-year JICA project. In 2016, Dr Bajgai was transferred to the National Potato Program in Thimphu, which is now housed under the National Center for Organic Agriculture, Yusipang, DoA, MoAF. In Yusipang, headed the National Potato Program where he designed, coordinated, and conducted several multi-location on-station and on-farm research trials evaluating potato germplasm that successfully generated and notified three new potato varieties (Yusi Maap, Yusi Maap-II & Yusi Chip-I) in Bhutan as a PI. The new varieties are notably bringing positive changes in the form improved food and cash incomes for the growers, and better access to the consumers. After a 23 years and 9 months of dedicated, clean and satisfying service to TWA-WA-SUM, he left the civil service in September 2022.

In April 2023, he has taken up the new role as a research scientist at the Ohio State University in the USA under the leadership of global icon Prof. Lal. Key activities include enhancing carbon sequestration in croplands, rangelands and grasslands to improve soil health and resiliency as well as to mitigate global warming by way of reducing atmospheric CO2 concentration. He is interested in investigating the role of innovative and sustainable farming systems that enhance carbon capture, and to collaborate and contribute to generating knowledge toward making carbon sequestration a lucrative and resilient farming venture. He has more than 60 publications to his credit.

Employment

  • The Ohio State University Research Scientist
    2023 - Present
  • Agriculture Research and Development Centre, Yusipang Principal Research Officer/Principal Agriculture Officer
    2016 - 2022
  • RNR-Research and Development Centre Bajo, DoA, MoAF Officiating Program Director
    2013 - 2016
  • Ministry of Agriculture, RGoB District Agriculture Officer
    2003 - 2012
  • Ministry of Agriculture, Royal Government of Bhutan Extension Officer/District Agriculture Officer
    1998 - 2013

Education

Projects & Funding

  • Endeavour Postgraduate Award of Australia Award Australian Government
    2009 - 2013

Publications (65)