For the welfare of farmers

Despite several schemes, the condition of Indian farmers remains the same as they are entirely dependent on the government for increase in the yield. But, with a vision to make farmers independent, Dr Shyam Narain Singh, former Joint Director Extension Institute of Agricultural Research of India, successfully developed a sustainable agricultural development mechanism and went places explaining it to farmers.

Recently, he received the International Society of Extension Education life achievement award for outstanding contribution in the field of extension education/agricultural development at second international conference on innovative approaches for agricultural knowledge management from President Pratibha Patil.

A true patriot
He went to the USA to complete his PhD. Following this, he also got many job offers from the foreign universities to join as a professor but he refused as he was passionate about coming back and doing something for his country. This move was appreciated by his Professor George Beal who said that Singh was the first Indian who wants to go back to his country even after getting offers in US.

Driving Force
He belongs to a family that was completely dedicated to the nation. His father late Jang Bahadur was with Mahatma Gandhi against the British.  His mother too lived with Kasturba Gandhi and his sister was very close to Sarojini Naidu. So how could he remain aloof from the feeling of doing something for the country? Concerning this, he took sociology with special reference to rural development.

Bond with the farmers
Farmers have always seen Singh as a brother to them. Before setting up his mechanism in the field, he met farmers in their houses that no scientist had done earlier. He also took their ideas in improving his mechanism.  The farmers were given land by the government but with no resources. The land was more than a liability than an asset for them. Singh provided the farmers with a budget to build a tube well as well as also got sanctioned daily wages for them. The mechanism was so successful that a team of World Bank visited the place and appreciated Singh's efforts.

A fighter
Even after two heart attacks and weak legs, Singh is willing to continue his work.  Even after retiring, he contributed to the dry land rain fed area project which was an Indo-Canadian project in the tribal area of Amravati in Maharashtra and MP as the project director.

Professor with a difference
As a writer, Singh has compiled his experiences with farmers in his book 'Development of small and marginal farmers'. He presented the content of the book during the international conference of the UN food organisation which was appreciated by the members present at the global meet in Bangkok.  He is also the founder member of All India Extension Education society which highlights the work of the professors who are coming up with new technologies for the farmers.

Innumerable laurels
He won the Indian Society of Extension Education Award also known as the Dr DK Mishra Memorial lecture award, 'Recognition award' at the national seminar of the Indian Society of extension award in 2005.  A special award for increasing the productivity of the farmers of the Delhi region from given to him by Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit. And finally, the International Society of Extension Education Life time achievement award was presented to him by the President of India in November 2011.
He feels that his mission for doing something for his country has finally come true. He feels proud and privileged.

Hobbies
SN Singh loves to travel a lot but now as his legs don't support him much he loves reading spiritual books as well as watching cricket matches.
—Priyanka nair