Palms

Born on 17th August, 1952, Dr. George V. Thomas is currently Director, Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI), Kasaragod, Kerala.  He joined Agricultural Research Service of ICAR as Scientist S-1 at CPCRI in 1978 and has contributed immensely to plantation crops research during the last three decades.  He served as President, Indian Society for Plantation Crops (2007-2009) and Editor, Journal of Plantation Crops (2001-2006) and Fellow of India Society for Plantation Crops. He is recipient of ICAR Outstanding Team is Research Award for Horticulture (2005-2006) and Dr. C.S. Venkataram Memorial Award.  His main areas of specialization are biosource management in production system of plantation crops, organic farming, recycling of crop residues, microbial activity and function in cropping systems and biofertilizers.  He has to his credit more than 250 publications including research papers, reviews, book chapters and technical bulletins. 

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.