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Prof. K.V. Peter , Ph.D, is Former VC of KAU in Trichur, India and Coordinator of the Department of Biotechnology (GOI) funded projects on plantation crops and spices. Prof. Peter is a horticulturist, a plant breeder and an acknowledged research manager. He is the former Director for the Indian Institute of Spices Research, Calicut (ICAR) and former Professor and Director of Research, KAU. Professor Peter is the editor of seven books and author or co-author of thirteen books/bulletins and 132 research papers. The ICAR conferred on Prof. Peter the Rafi Ahamed Kidwai Prize, the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences awarded the Recognition Award 1999 for contributions to crop improvement, and the University of Agricultural Sciences conferred the M.H. Marygowda Award for being the Best Horticultural Scientist. Prof. Peter is the Elected Fellow of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences and Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences.

Dr. E.V. Nybe had his graduation, B.Sc. (Hort.) from the Kerala Agricultural University in second rank during 1976. He secured M.Sc. (Hort.) with first rank and Ph.D. with distinction from the same University in 1978 and 1986 respectively with specialization in spices. He has already put in a long meritorious service of 29 years in the field of teaching, research and extension related with spices and plantation crops. Started the career as Junior Instructor in 1977 at the Kerala Agricultural University and officiating as Head, Department of plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture since 1993. He is also holding positions like Project Co-ordinator (Spices) of Kerala Agricultural University and Nodal Officer of the Central Sector Scheme for the Integrated Programme for Development of Spices (IPDS). Dr. Nybe was the General Co-ordinator of a mega Research project. "Technology Mission on Black Pepper" implemented at the Kerala Agricultural University during 1999 to 2004. He was also the Principal Investigator of seven external aided research projects sponsored by various agencies like ICAR, Rubber Board, Coffee Board, Gol etc. and 28 research projects of Kerala Agricultural University. He has already guided a number of Ph.D. and M.Sc. (Hort.) students who did their thesis research on spices. His significant contributions include more than 125 wide range publications related with spices in national. international journals and presentations in important seminars/symposia. He has edited two books on spices and plantation crops, contributed eleven chapters in various books published by Indian and foreign publishers. Under his guidance, four curcumin rich turmeric and two medicinal plant varieties were released in the Country. Dr. Nybe is identified as an expert for review and evaluation of various research projects in Horticulture for approval and funding by various agencies. He is also serving as referee for the evaluation of research articles for various research journals and external examiner for M.Sc. and Ph.D. programmes in various Agricultural Universities. He is a member of Bureau of Indian Standards-Spices and Condiments Section Committee FAD9; Pepper Product Committee of National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange, Mumbai. Dr. Nybe is also a life member of Indian Society for Spices and Indian Society for Plantation Crops.

Dr. N. Mini Raj is Assistant Professor (Horticulture) in the Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University. After taking M.Sc. and Ph.D in Horticulture, she joined Kerala Agricultural University service in 1987 and has completed 18 years of service in the University. She is recipient of the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru Fellowship for the doctoral programme in Horticulture. She has received the Young Scientist award of Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment and the Indian Science Congress Association for the Contribution in Horticultural science. Dr. N. Mini Raj is also recipient of the H.S. Mehta memorial award for best research paper in spices given by the Indian Society of Spices. At present she is actively involved in teaching, research and extension in the field of spices, plantation crops and medicinal plants. She has more than 40 research publications serves as resource person in the field of natural resource management, spices and medicinal plants. She serves as life member in several scientific societies and panels and guides post graduate students in Horticulture.