Horticultural Crops: Varietal Wealth

Born on 2nd July, 1950, Dr. H.P. Singh has served horticulture in various capacities namely Project Coordinator (fruits); Director, NCR for Banana; Horticulture Commissioner, Govt. of India; Chairman, Coconut Development Board; Dean (Agriculture), GBPUA & T, Pantnagar; Vice Chancellor, Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa and now Deputy Director General (Horticullture), ICAR.He has also served international organizations like the Chairman of APCC, Jakarta, National Director for internationally-aided projects and Chairperson of Steering Committee of BAPNET of Bioversity International and implemented various international programmes.  Besides, excellent academic record, Dr. Singh has contributed to research and agricultural education which ha earned him three international, twenty one national awards and five fellowships including the Fellow of NAAS.  He has developed many cultivars and technologies which has shaped the horticulture.  Recognising his immense contribution, OUAT, Bhubaneshwar, has conferred D.Sc. last year.Dr. Singh is the architect of Mission mode approach for horticultural development, starting from planning to execution which ahs been due to his insight.  He has provided to horticulture and is credited to have authored and edited 39 books and 30 bulletins, besides 175 research papers.  He has widely traveled in India and abroad. His efforts have provided a strong foundation for horticulture development, leading to Golden Revolution in the country.

Dr. V.A. Parthasarathy, Ph.D. a renowned and well-known horticulturalist cum biotechnologist of repute is the Director of Indian institute of Spices research (ICAR), calicut from 2002. He is a recipient of ICAR Team Award in Horticulture (as leader) during 2002 and is widely traveled. He has more than 30 years of research experience in Horticulture / plantation crops like citrus, vegetables, gerbera, gladiolus, coconut and spices. An expert in bio-technology and breeding of horticulture crops, he has published over 170 research articles in refereed journals, edited 15 books and contributed about 40 chapters and invited reviews. He also guided many Ph.D. students. He is member of many committees.