Dr. Malavika Dadlani is a renowned seed scientist with an active career of four decades in the field of Seed Science and Technology. Educated at some of the most prestigious academic institutions in India, including the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi; Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur, and Calcutta University, Dr Dadlani dedicated her entire professional career to research and postgraduate teaching in seed science and technology at IARI, where she held the positions of the Head of the Division of Seed Science and Technology, and the Joint Director (Research). A seed physiologist by training, Dr Dadlani has also made significant contributions to hybrid seed production, plant variety identification and purity testing, and supervised the post-graduate and doctoral research of 21 students in the disciplines of seed science and technology, plant physiology and plant biotechnology. She has more than 200 publications, including papers in peer reviewed journals, chapters and books. She is a Fellow of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS), India and a recipient of many other recognitions and awards. Dr Dadlani served as the President of the Indian Society of Seed Technology and a member of the Vigour Committee, ISTA, and presently is the Editor of NAAS. She served as a Consultant at Bioversity International, India Office and a short-term FAO consultant in the seed programmes of Cambodia and Myanmar.
Dr. Devendra Kumar Yadava is a noted plant breeder and seed technologist with 26 years of research experience, which includes more than six years as the Head, Division of Seed Science & Technology at Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi. Presently he is the Assistant Director General (Seed), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi. He has contributed in the development and release of 21 plant varieties (mustard 18; pulses 3) which include early maturing; low erucic acid, and canola oil quality mustard varieties, that provided better choice to both farmers and consumers. Dr Yadava contributed to the development of state seed rolling plans leading to enhanced seed and varietal replacement rates, and significant improvements in the national breeder seed production programme. As a member of many regulatory bodies of the Govt. of India he contributed in policy formulation/ amendments in the Seed Bill, Genome editing guidelines, proposed amendments of Biodiversity Act, etc. He is a Fellow of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, India and recipient of many prestigious awards eg., Rafi Ahmad Kidwai Award of ICAR, Dr. B.P. Pal Memorial and Dr. A.B. Joshi Memorial Awards of IARI, New Delhi; NAAS Recognition Award; and Dr. P.R. Kumar Brassica Outstanding Scientist Award, Bharatpur. He has published 90 research papers in high impact factor peer reviewed journals, authored eight books along with 170 other publications.