The United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF) in association with the Central Soil Salinity Research Institute (CSSRI) organized a week-long program (May 28–June 5, 2012) in Karnal, Haryana to commemorate the 2012 World Environment Day. Fulbright alumnus Dr. Ranjay Kumar Singh, Senior Scientist, CSSRI took a lead role in organizing this event on “Eco-literary Education and Capacity Building among Young Farmers to Enhance Environmental Learning and Combat Climate Change”. Dr. Singh and other scientists met over 100 young farmers between 13-18 years of age and school children in the Karnal district to teach them about climate change, environmental conservation and sustainable agricultural practices.

Dr. Singh and his team conducted quiz and painting competitions among school students on climate change and agriculture. In the concluding session on June 5th, 21 farmers and 6 school children attended a meeting with scientists at CSSRI and learned about herbal gardening, integrated farming and sustainable agricultural and other environmental practices. USIEF and CSSRI awarded certificates to the winners of the quiz and painting competition. The event received extensive coverage in the local media.

Ranjay Singh, 2010-11 Fulbright-Nehru Environment Researcher and Senior Scientist, Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Karnal conducts an awareness program on Climate Change among young farmers on World Environment Day (June 5, 2012)