This book on "Leveraging Agricultural Innovations for Attaining SDGs: Campus to Community" is a comprehensive and pioneering effort that highlights the critical relationship between the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the domain of agricultural education, research, and extension. Rooted in the global agenda of the United Nations' 2030 vision, the book provides readers with a structured understanding of the SDGs, their genesis, relevance, and the need for integrated action across sectors. Special emphasis is laid on contextualizing the SDGs within India’s developmental landscape, focusing particularly on agriculture, food systems, climate resilience, gender equity, and sustainable resource use. It underscores how higher educational institutions, particularly State Agricultural Universities (SAUs), can become agents of change by embedding sustainability into their academic and institutional frameworks. A central feature of the book is the case study of Bihar Agricultural University (BAU), Sabour, which has emerged as a model institution in aligning its core mandates—teaching, research, extension, and training with the SDGs. The university’s initiatives in curriculum innovation, region-specific research, women-centric outreach, and capacity-building programmes are thoroughly documented to demonstrate real-world impact. The book details BAU’s integration of sustainability principles into its pedagogy, including courses on climate-smart agriculture, agri-entrepreneurship, and natural resource management. It highlights research on resilient crops, biodiversity conservation, water-use efficiency, and digital agriculture that contributes directly to goals such as Zero Hunger, Climate Action, and Clean Water. Moreover, it reflects the university’s grassroots engagement through Krishi Vigyan Kendras, Farmer Producer Organizations, and participatory rural innovations that uplift livelihoods and ensure community ownership. The training programmes designed for farmers, youth, and extension agents are shown to be practical, demand-driven, and aligned with both national priorities and global frameworks. By linking the global vision of sustainability with the local realities of Bihar, this book not only offers a knowledge resource but also serves as a policy guide and an academic reference. It invites meaningful dialogue, research, and action toward realizing the SDGs in a structured and inclusive manner. This is the first book of its kind in India that illustrates how an agricultural university can be a critical stakeholder in achieving sustainable development, making it a valuable contribution to the national and international discourse on sustainability.
Dr. D.R. Singh, Vice Chancellor of Bihar Agricultural University (BAU), Sabour is a renowned academician and visionary leader in agricultural education and research. He began his career at ANGRAU, Hyderabad, and held key positions at ICAR institutes, including Director of the National Research Centre for Orchids, Sikkim. He is credited with releasing three orchid varieties—‘Namo’, ‘Sardar’, and ‘Deendayal’ and identifying the longest green orchid, recorded in the Limca Book of Records. Internationally recognized for his work on Noni (Morinda citrifolia), he released four commercial varieties globally. Under his leadership, BAU achieved NABL accreditation, the SKOCH Award, 13 national and international patents, and its f irst trademark. He has led the adoption of a Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya to promote agricultural education among girl students of Bihar. Dr. Singh has authored over 262 research papers, 26 books, and received 39 awards. His leadership has transformed BAU into a nationally recognized institution, driving innovation, sustainability, and farmer welfare across Bihar.
Dr. Shweta Shambhavi, Associate Professor-cum-Senior Scientist in Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry at Bihar Agricultural College, Sabour, has over 12 years of academic and research experience. Her work focuses on soil quality under Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) and varied land use systems in Bihar. She is a key member of the Conservation Agriculture Team, collaborating on CIMMYT and RKVY funded projects. She has guided five M.Sc. and one Ph.D. student, and served on advisory committees for about 25 students. Dr. Shambhavi has over 75 publications, including research papers, articles, books, and chapters. As a content creator for ICAR’s NAHEP E-Learning initiative, she developed UG and PG course materials on "Problematic Soils and their Management" and "Fundamentals of Soil Physics." Her global engagement includes advanced training at IRRI, Philippines, and CIMMYT, Turkey, reflecting her international standing in soil research and sustainable agriculture.
Dr. Rajiv Rakshit, Associate Professor-cum-Senior Scientist in Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry at Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, completed his M.Sc. and Ph.D. from ICAR-IARI, New Delhi, in 2009 and 2014, respectively. He received the ICAR Junior Research Fellowship and the IARI Merit Scholarship during his postgraduate studies. His research focuses on biological soil quality, soil enzymes, and nutrient dynamics, exploring fertilization effects on nutrient cycling and microbial interactions. Dr. Rakshit has authored 54 research and popular articles, 5 books, and 10 co-authored book chapters. He introduced the value-added course “Agrochemical in Soils: Impact and Assessment” and revised UG content for “Agricultural Microbiology” under NAHEP-ICAR. He has guided five M.Sc. students and reviewed papers for international journals. His international exposure includes training on soil and root health at CIMMYT, Turkey. His academic and research contributions reflect a commitment to advancing soil science and sustainable agricultural practices.
1 Introduction .............................................................................................1
2 Global Indicators of Sustainable Development Goals ............................5
3 Universities and Sustainable Development Goals ................................37
4 Bihar Agricultural University and Sustainable Development Goals .....43
5 Unlocking Institutional Potential to Achieve SDG by 2030 ...............163
6 Conclusion ...........................................................................................171
