Dr. M.S. Swaminathan is a scientist of International repute who has held several national, International positions including DG, ICAR, Secretary Agriculture, and Member, Planning Commission, Government of India, and DG, IRRI, Philippines. He is recipient of many international awards and recognitions including Ramon Magsaysay Award, Albert Einstein World Science Award and First World Food Prize. At national level, he has been conferred with Padma Vibhushan and has won several awards including Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Development and Disarmament. He has headed several high power committees and societies and is currently Chairman of the National Commission for Farmers and the President of National Academy of Agricultural Sciences. His systematic and devoted initiatives in agricultural research, education and extension have helped in ushering the Green Revolution in India.

Dr. K.L. Chadha is a well known horticultural scientist of India who held several senior positions including Director, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore, Horticulture Commissioner, Government of India, Deputy Director General (Hort), and National Professor in Horticulture, Indian Council of Agricultural Research. He has authored and edited many books including Advances in Horticulture in 13 Volumes covering 9410 pages. He has been an international consultant in horticulture in several countries. Currently, President of Horticulture Society of India, he has also been Vice President of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences and President, Indian Society of Agricultural Sciences. He has won several prestigious awards including the “Borlaug Award, B.P. Pal Memorial Award (NAAS) and Om Prakash Bhasin Award. He has made significant contributions to sound and systematic development of horticultural R&D in India.