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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. T.R. Gopalakrishanan, head, Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara has been working for the last 29 years as a teacher, research and extension scientist in the field of Vegetable Science. He is the recipient of “Young Scientist Award” in Agriculture during the First kerala Science Congress held in 1989. He has also received “Dr. Harbhajan Singh Award” instituted by Indian Society of Vegetables Science, Varanasi in the year Award” instituted by South Indian Horticulture Association, Coimbatore in 2001. Conmsidering his contributions to the farming community, the Government of Kerala awarded him “Krishi Vigyan Award” for the Best Scientist in the Field of Agriculture, Veterinary and Allied sciences during 1996-97. Dr. Gopalakrishnan is a Fellow of Indian Society of Vegetable Science, Varanasi, U.P. Dr. Gopalakrishnan has been the principal breeder for the development of bacterial wilt resistant varieties viz., Surya, Swetha, Haritha and F1 hybrid Neelima (brinjal), Ujwala and Manjari (chili). High yielding verities viz., Ambili (pumpkin), Baby (snake gourd), Vyjayanthi, Lola and Anaswara (cowpea). He has also been associated with development and release of mosaic tolerant varieties Kairali and varun (cowpea) and Susthira (bhindi), bacterial wilt resistant varieties Anugraha (chilli), Anagha (tomato) and high yielding varieities Mohini (green amaranth) Soubhagya (oritental pickling melon) and saras (pumpkin). He is one of the most recognized vegetable scientists in the country and has published many outstanding research papers and articles in the field of vegetable science. He is also actively associated with the vegetable production and development programmes of the State Government.