Professor Martin Kumar

Professor J Martin S Kumar is a distinguished fisheries and aquaculture expert, boasting over 35 years of experience across the Asia-Pacific region. His profound contributions to sustainable fisheries and aquaculture management have significantly boosted primary production and economic growth. Throughout his stellar career, Professor Kumar has spearheaded over 35 major projects, supported by esteemed organizations like the World Bank, FAO, AusAID, and ACIAR, culminating in more than 130 scientific publications.

As the Leader and Principal Scientist of the Integrated Biosystems Program at the Primary Industries and Resources, Government of South Australia, Professor Kumar introduced the groundbreaking "Integrated Farming and Water Re-use" concept in Australia. Additionally, since 2010, Professor Kumar has been sharing his expertise as an Adjunct Professor in Biological Sciences at the College of Science and Engineering.

In 2009, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), Government of Vietnam, honoured him with a prestigious medal for his exceptional contributions to aquaculture development, significantly enhancing food security and reducing poverty. In May 2010, he and his team received an intergovernmental award for outstanding project achievement, presented by AusAID, the Australian Government Agency, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), Government of Vietnam, under the Collaboration for Agricultural and Rural Development Program (CARD).

Professor Kumar's expertise is globally acclaimed. On July 1, 2011, he was appointed to the inaugural High-Level Panel of Experts (HLPE) steering committee on Food Security and Nutrition by the the Committee on World Food Security (CFS). During his tenure, he contributed to critical studies and discussions on land tenure and international investments in agriculture and fisheries. His profound insights into fisheries and aquaculture have significantly informed the nexus of food security, nutrition, and sustainable resource management.

From 2016 to 2020, Professor Kumar served as an Advisor to the Government of Madhya Pradesh, India, for the Ministry of Fisher Welfare and Fisheries Development.