Presented by
Logo 1
Logo 2
Logo 3
Logo 4
Logo 5

About Professor Rattan Lal

About Us Image

About Professor Rattan Lal

Professor Rattan Lal (born 5 September 1944) is an Indian-American soil scientist of global repute, widely regarded as a pioneer in regenerative and soil-centric agriculture. His transformative research has demonstrated how healthy soils can provide solutions to some of humanity’s greatest challenges—climate change, food security, water scarcity, and sustainable livelihoods.

Born into a farming family in the Punjab region of pre-Partition India, Lal experienced early the vulnerabilities of smallholder farmers, which shaped his lifelong dedication to soil and food systems. After completing his education at Punjab Agricultural University, the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, and earning his Ph.D. in Soil Science from The Ohio State University, he went on to influence agricultural practices across continents.



His groundbreaking work on soil carbon sequestration, conservation tillage, cover cropping, mulching, and agroforestry has revolutionized thinking around sustainable agriculture. Professor Lal’s research proved that restoring soil health not only boosts crop yields but also mitigates climate change by locking atmospheric carbon into the earth. His 2004 Science paper on soil carbon sequestration remains one of the most cited works in agricultural sciences.

Currently a Distinguished University Professor of Soil Science and the Director of the Rattan Lal Center for Carbon Management and Sequestration at The Ohio State University, he continues to lead global efforts in carbon farming, regenerative agriculture, and climate-resilient food systems. His influence extends beyond academia—he has advised governments, multilateral agencies, and scientific bodies worldwide.

For his remarkable contributions, Professor Lal has received some of the world’s highest honors, including the World Food Prize (2020), Padma Shri (2021), Japan Prize (2019), Arrell Global Food Innovation Award (2020), Glinka World Soil Prize (2018), and World Agriculture Prize (2018), among many others. In recognition of his impact, he has been conferred honorary doctorates by nine universities across the globe and consistently ranked among the most cited and influential scientists in agricultural sciences.

Through more than five decades of research, teaching, and advocacy, Professor Rattan Lal has transformed the way the world understands the link between soil, climate, and human well-being. His work continues to inspire the global movement towards regenerative agriculture, ensuring that healthy soils remain at the heart of sustainable development.