Sardara Singh Johl

Sardara Singh Johl
Born	(1928-08-02) August 2, 1928 Lyalpur, Punjab Province, British India (present-day Faisalabad, Pakistan)
Occupation(s)	Agricultural economist, author, academic administrator
Known for	Chancellor of Central University of Punjab; National Professor of Agricultural Economics at Indian Council of Agricultural Research; Vice Chancellor at Punjabi University and Punjab Agricultural University; Chair of Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices
Notable work	Ranga di Gagar (autobiography)

Sardara Singh Johl (born 2 August 1928) is a distinguished Indian agricultural economist, author, political figure, and the chancellor of the Central University of Punjab. He previously held the position of National Professor of Agricultural Economics at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and has served as vice chancellor at both Punjabi University and Punjab Agricultural University. Johl also led the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices, an institution established by the Government of India. His expertise extended to roles such as a director on the Central Board of Governors of the Reserve Bank of India and consultancy assignments for international entities including the Food and Agriculture Organization, World Bank, and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia. In recognition of his significant impact on agriculture and agricultural education, he was honored with the Padma Bhushan by the Government of India in 2004.

Biography

Born on 8 February 1928 in Lyalpur (present-day Faisalabad, Pakistan) to S. Boota Singh, Sardara Singh Johl completed his initial education locally. He obtained his BSc and MSc degrees in agriculture and agricultural economics from Punjab University. Subsequently, he earned an MA in economics followed by a PhD from Punjabi University in 1952. His early professional endeavors focused on agriculture and rural development within Punjab's mountainous areas before joining Punjab Agricultural University as an assistant professor. By 1965, he advanced to become the Head of the Department of Economics and Sociology.

Throughout his career, Johl held vice-chancellorships at Punjabi University, Punjab Agricultural University, and Haryana Agricultural University. In 2012, he was appointed as the inaugural chancellor of the Central University of Punjab. He also chaired the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices and was part of the Central Board of Governors at the Reserve Bank of India. Beyond these roles, he served as vice-chairman of the Punjab State Planning Board and took on visiting professorships at both Ohio State University and the London School of Economics. As leader of Punjab’s Advisory Committee on Agriculture Policy, he introduced what became known as the Johl Plan, which emphasized crop rotation and diversification alongside subsidies targeting wheat and rice cultivators.

Johl provided advisory services to various Union and state governments, including those of Punjab, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat. His expertise was also sought by international organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization, World Bank, and United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia. He holds fellowship status with the International Society of Economists and has presided over multiple agricultural economics associations. Notably, he chaired three sessions during the 1970 International Agricultural Economics Association conference held in Minsk.

His analytical government reports—covering topics like electricity pricing, agricultural diversification strategies, cropping patterns, and structural reforms—have played a role in shaping policy decisions. Over his career, Johl has authored more than 200 articles published in both national and international academic journals. Additionally, he wrote an autobiography titled Ranga di Gagar, originally composed in Punjabi and later translated into Hindi and Urdu.

Awards and honors

Johl has been honored as a fellow by both the Punjab Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences. In 2004, he was bestowed with the prestigious civilian award, the Padma Bhushan, by the Government of India. The following year, Punjab University awarded him an honorary DLitt degree. Additionally, he holds honorary doctorates from Punjabi University and Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) designated him as a National Professor of Eminence, while Punjab Sahit Akademi granted him lifelong membership. His accolades further include the Chief Khalsa Diwan Centenary Award, the Golden Jubilee Outstanding Alumni Award from Punjab Agricultural University, the Mahan Punjabi Award from the Professor Mohan Singh Foundation, and the Dr. Madan Gold Medal Award.