Portrait
Suresh Chandra Patnaik is an eminent agriculturist with a postgraduate degree in agriculture, who has made significant contributions to the field throughout his illustrious career. He dedicated his early years (1968-1978) to rice research, teaching, and extension at Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT). Transitioning to government service from 1978 to 2003, he played a pivotal role in enhancing the capabilities of farmers and extension workers across Odisha's agricultural districts. His efforts in policy formulation, budgeting, and planning significantly influenced the production and seed distribution systems within the state. From 2003 to 2015, Patnaik served as a consultant for UNDP-GOI project focusing on natural resource management and worked with the IFAD-DFID-assisted Odisha Tribal Empowerment and Livelihoods Program (OTELP). Since 2015, he has been a consultant for RICOR, specializing in agriculture and decentralized planning, with a commitment to uplifting marginalized rural and urban communities. He has been a board member of the Tagore Society of Rural Development-Odisha Projects since 2013, where he has continued his efforts to support these communities.
Patnaik began his journey with IFAD in 2010 by participating in a review mission for agricultural development under the Jharkhand Tribal Development Project (JTDP). Over the years, he held various roles, including serving as the State Implementing Officer for the IFAD-ICRISAT projects under OTELP from 2007 to 2013, where he oversaw multiple initiatives focusing on legume crops and micro-irrigation. As a consultant for RICOR, he contributed to the development of a decentralized planning manual for the Odisha government, aiding district planning efforts with support from UNICEF.In 2016, he transitioned to the Administrative Staff College of India, where he continued to work as a consultant, conducting Training Needs Assessments (TNAs) and training stakeholders in district planning methodologies.
From 2013 to 2019, Patnaik served as a member of the Board of Management at OUAT, approved by the Agriculture and Farmers' Empowerment Department of the Government of Odisha. Due to his valuable contributions, he was re-nominated to the OUAT Board of Management in October 2019 for a second term. His efforts have been instrumental in shaping OUAT into a modern agricultural university in eastern India. In May 2020, he authored a concept note on skill development for the Odisha Mineral Bearing Areas Development Corporation (OMBADC), which received positive feedback from the Government of Odisha. This resulted in an allocation of ?146.92 crore in funding by OMBADC for OUAT, aimed at supporting one-year certificate skill training courses for farmers and entrepreneurs in agriculture and allied sectors.
Throughout his career, Patnaik has demonstrated a commitment to continuous learning and professional growth, actively seeking opportunities to expand his expertise. He has participated in various training programs and seminars, including visits to successful Sloping Agriculture Land Technology (SALT) models in the Philippines and discussions with scientists at the International Rice Research Institute. He has engaged internationally, attending workshops in Vietnam, Nepal, and China, where he contributed to discussions and published research papers. In India, he has participated in training programs organized by esteemed institutions such as ICRISAT and ICAR, focusing on groundnut and rice research. His collaborative efforts with organizations across India, including BAIF, Karnataka Bhaktivedanta Academy, and MYRYDA, showcase his dedication to knowledge exchange and skill-building.
Patnaik's literary contributions to agriculture include his debut book, Promotion of Sustainable Agriculture and Horticulture Development, published in 2009, and his second publ
