Dr. Ananthakumar | Earth Sciences | Best Researcher Award

University Of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, India

Author Profile

• Orcid Profile
• Google Scholar Profile

Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Ananthakumar M.A. embarked on his academic journey in the field of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry with an enduring passion for agricultural sustainability and soil health. He obtained his Master’s degree from the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, during 2002-03, where he built a strong foundation in soil management, agronomy, and land resource utilization. Recognizing the need for advanced scientific research, he pursued a Ph.D. from the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, completed in 2010-11. His early academic pursuits reflect a deep commitment to understanding the interplay between soil chemistry, water technology , and crop productivity , which laid the groundwork for his future endeavors in agricultural research and geospatial technologies .

Professional Endeavors

Dr. Ananthakumar’s professional career spans over two decades, encompassing various significant roles in both governmental institutions and academic settings. His initial tenure at the Central Coffee Research Institute, Coffee Board, for six years, exposed him to practical research in plantation crop management and soil fertility. Subsequently, he served as an Assistant Soil Survey Officer at the Soil and Land Use Survey of India for three years, gaining hands-on experience in land resource assessment and geospatial mapping.

Since then, he has been contributing to academia, having served as Assistant Professor for 12 years and presently as an Associate Professor at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, for the past 3 years. His affiliation with the Water Technology Centre, Zonal Agricultural Research Station, Mandya, positions him strategically to address the challenges in soil and water resource management in Karnataka and beyond.

Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Ananthakumar’s research portfolio reflects an impressive blend of innovation, applied science, and policy-oriented studies. His key areas of research include:

• Geospatial Applications

• Micro Irrigation Management

• Precise Water and Nutrient Management

• Problematic Soil Management

• Smart Irrigation Systems

• AI and ML Applications in Soil Resource Management

He has led and participated in multiple externally funded research projects, with significant contributions in soil health, land inventory, and water-saving irrigation techniques. Notable projects include:

• Ongoing Projects:

  • Monitoring the effect of one-time controlled land application of distillery spentwash – focusing on sustainable industrial waste disposal.

  • Strengthening of Water Technology Center – promoting applied research on soil and water management.

• Completed Projects:

  • Land Resources Inventory & Digital Library Portal – funded by the World Bank , enabling decision-support systems for efficient land use.

  • Natural Farming – aligning traditional practices with modern sustainability approaches.

  • Remote Sensing and GIS for Land Resource Inventory – promoting digital transformation in resource planning.

  • Simulation Modeling for Cropping System Design – addressing climate change impacts through data-driven planning.

His 33+ research publications span high-impact journals such as Land, Plant Archives, Journal of the Indian Society of Soil Science, and International Journal of Plant & Soil Science, among others. His Google Scholar profile shows growing influence, with 18 citations, while his ORCID and Web of Science IDs reflect strong academic visibility .

Accolades and Recognition

Dr. Ananthakumar has earned recognition through academic and professional platforms. He has been appointed for editorial responsibilities with the Journal of Farm Sciences and is actively involved in open peer review management. His collaborations with the National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning further establish his role as a national resource person in soil resource studies.

As a life member of prestigious scientific societies including:

• Indian Science Congress

• Indian Society of Agronomy

• Journal of Soil Biology and Ecology

• Journal of Plantation Crops

• Indian Society of Soil Science

—he actively contributes to scientific discourse and development of soil and water conservation strategies.

Impact and Influence

Dr. Ananthakumar’s research has real-world impact, especially in Karnataka’s agricultural ecosystem, where water scarcity and soil degradation are pressing concerns. His work on micro-irrigation in paddy and subsurface drip fertigation in sugarcane showcases practical solutions to reduce water usage and enhance soil longevity. The fertigation scheduling for corn and crop planning under climatic uncertainty exemplify his commitment to climate-smart agriculture.

He has guided one Ph.D. and six Master students as Chairman, and mentored over 10 postgraduates as a committee member—helping to cultivate the next generation of agricultural scientists .

Legacy and Future Contributions

As a thought leader in soil and water sciences, Dr. Ananthakumar is shaping the future of sustainable agriculture through technological integration, digital land inventory systems, and AI-based solutions. His long-standing efforts in knowledge dissemination, capacity building, and scientific mentoring contribute significantly to agricultural policy frameworks in India.

Going forward, his work is expected to influence precision agriculture practices, development of AI/ML-powered decision support systems , and data-driven natural resource management. His vision is aligned with India’s agricultural transformation goals, especially under the changing climatic conditions