Jayanta Deka who is the Chancellor of Girijananda Chowdhury University, Guwahati since February 19, 2024 did his graduation in Agriculture from Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat in 1984, Masters in Agronomy from G. B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar in 1983 and Ph. D. in Agronomy from Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi in 1991.
He served as Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat for more than 5 years running the academic administration of 5 constituent colleges. During this period, various facilities like smart class rooms in every department and academic complex, virtual class rooms, AR & VR facility, sophisticated central instrumentation facility were created besides launching online academic management system, blended learning programme, e-learning videos for practical exercises.
Prepared the course curriculum of agriculture for the country in the light of National Education Policy 2020 as expert member of esteemed VI Deans’ Committee constituted by ICAR.
Guided 9 Ph.D students and, 12 M.Sc (Agri) students as major advisor. Authored 2 books, 34 book chapters, more than 100 research and review papers, many popular articles and extension bulletins. One of his books ‘Fundamentals of Cereal Crop Production’ is in wide circulation in different universities of the country. Served as Councilor and Reviewer of different professional societies and journals. Organized two international conferences, many national conference, workshop and training programmes.
By involvement in a World Bank funded National Agricultural Innovation Project (NAIP), he worked with 5000 farm families of Assam bringing about significant increase in farmers’ income and entrepreneurship development activities. He also executed many other externally funded research projects. As a scientist and Principal Investigator of AICRP on Weed Science, contributed significantly towards generating and transferring weed management technologies.
Served as Member of esteemed Research Advisory Council of ICAR- Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur during 2016-2019 and the country achieved near self sufficiency in pulse production in this period.
Successfully worked as National Facilitator in the entire North East Indian states for world bank funded Extension Reforms Project and helped to prepare Strategic Research and Extension Plans. One of his most significant contributions was the implementation of ‘Project Atmapratistha’ as a successful model of public-private partnership involving various stakeholders in milk production and business.
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