Dr. B. Savitha is an agricultural extension professional with extensive experience in Agricultural Extension Education, Training and Transfer of Technology. She holds a Ph.D. in Extension Education from Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Hyderabad, with specialization in organic farming and stakeholder analysis. She also holds an M.Sc. in Agricultural Extension and a B.Sc. in Agriculture from Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Hyderabad.

Professional Experience

Dr. Savitha has served in various academic, extension and administrative positions, including Scientist (Transfer of Technology) at DAATTCs, Karimnagar and Medak/Sangareddy, and Assistant Director of Extension at the Administrative Office of PJTSAU. She has also served as Professor & Head, Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad.

Major Contributions

Her professional contributions include strengthening capacity-building programmes, ICT-enabled agricultural extension, farmer advisories and innovative knowledge-transfer approaches. She was involved in the early use of SMS and WhatsApp-based communication for real-time agro-advisories, establishment of Agriculture Information Centres, development of progressive farmers as master trainers, and promotion of field-based learning approaches.

As Assistant Director of Extension, she was associated with the implementation of Annapurna Krishi Prasaar Seva (AKPS), a personalized ICT-based agro-advisory initiative. She also contributed to training programmes for Mandal Agriculture Officers, skill-development initiatives, publications on innovative agricultural technologies and methodologies, university accreditation and certification activities, and the establishment of new Krishi Vigyan Kendras. She has also guided postgraduate and doctoral students in Agricultural Extension research.

Awards and Honours

Dr. Savitha has received several awards and recognitions, including the Scholastic Award for Outstanding Student in Agricultural Technology, APNLBP Fellowship, Best Scientist Award, Padmasri Dr. I.V. Subba Rao Rytuunestham Award, Best Scientist Award, Best Extension Scientist Award, Best Women Extension Scientist Award, and the Excellence in Extension Award for her contributions to extension education and agricultural development.

Professional Memberships & Scholarly Contributions

She is a life member/fellow of several professional societies, including the Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education, Society of Agricultural Research & Social Development, Society of Extension Education, Agra, International Society of Extension Education, Nagpur, Society of Extension Education, Coimbatore, and Society of Extension Professionals, Hyderabad, among others.

Her scholarly contributions include 56 research papers/notes, 16 books/chapters/compilations, 12 seminar/symposium proceedings, 9 paper presentations, 34 popular articles, 11 All India Radio/TV programmes and 5 special/invited lectures or guest-speaker engagements.

Professional Focus

Her areas of professional interest include Agricultural Extension Education, capacity building and training, ICT-enabled extension, organic and sustainable agriculture, innovative extension methodologies, farmer-oriented communication and technology transfer. Her work reflects a strong commitment to strengthening extension systems and enhancing the effectiveness of agricultural advisory services for farming communities.