Amit Baran Sharangi, PhD, is a Professor of Horticultural Science and presently acting as the Head of the Department of Spices and Plantation Crops in the Faculty of Horticulture at Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya (Agricultural University), India. He has been teaching for about twenty years and was instrumental in the process of coconut improvement, leading to the release of a variety Kalpamitra from the Central Plantation Crops Research Institute in India. He spent time in Prof. Cousen’s lab in Melbourne, Australia; Profe Picha’s lab in the USA; Dr. Dobson’s lab in the UK; and continued his research on herbs and spices.
He has published about 60 research papers in peer-reviewed journal, 50 conference papers, 15 books and many book chapters from international publishers (including Springer, Taylor and Francis, CRC Press, Nova Publishers/USA), and scores of popular scientific articles. Presently he is associated with 40 international and national journals in many roles, including editor in chief, regional editor, technical editor, editorial board member, and reviewer. Professor Sharangi has visited abroad extensively on academic missions and obtained several international awards, including the Endeavour Post-Doctoral Award (Australia), a INSA-RSE Visiting Scientist Fellowship (UK), Fulbright Visiting Faculty Fellowship (USA), Achiever’s Award from theSociety for the Advancement of Human and Nature (SADHNA), Man of the Year—2015 (Cambridge, UK), Outstanding Scientist (V Venus International Research Award), etc. He has delivered invited lectures in UK, USA, Australia, Thailand, Israel, and Bangladesh on several aspects of herbs and spices. Professor Sharangi is associated with a number of research projects as Principal and Co-Principal Investigator, having academic and empirical implications. He is an elected Fellow of the West Bengal Academy of Science and Technology (FAScT). He is also a Fellow of the International Society for Research and Development (FISRD, UK) and the Society of Applied Biotechnology (FSAB). He is an active member of several science academies and societies, including the New York Academy of Science (NYAS), World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology (WASET), to name a few.
Suchand Datta, PhD, is currently an Associate Professor in vegetable and spice crops at Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari, Cooch Behar, West Bengal, India. During his academic career of more than fifteen years, he has guided a number of MSc and PhD students as in his role as chairman and member of the advisory committee. He has published 52 research papers in national and international journals, several popular articles, and a large number of popular articles in local languages. He has participated and presented more than 30 research papers at national and international seminars, symposia, conferences, and world congresses. He acted as Co-Principal Investigator in the Central Scheme for the Development of Medicinal Plants, sponsored by the National Medicinal Plants Board, Department of Indian Systems of Medicine and Homoeopathy, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, and was a Scientist Integrated Programme for the Development of Spices (now renamed the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture).
Dr. Datta organized a national-level workshop, a National Consultative Meet on Large Cardamom and State-Level Seminar with special emphasis on spices. He also developed one ginger variety and registered one leaf blotch and leaf spot resistant turmeric germplasm in the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi. At present he has taken the responsibility of In-Charge, All India Co-ordinate Research Project on Spices, and Principal Investigator and In-Charge of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture for spices in Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari. Dr. Datta has written several books and six book chapters and has received several awards for his work. He is life member of five national and international professional societies. He has actively participated in different training programs for the benefit of the farmers.
Dr. Suchand Datta received his MSc degree in horticulture in spices and plantation crops from Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya Haringhata, India, and his Ph.D in vegetable and spice crops from Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Cooch Behar, India.
Prahlad Deb, PhD, is currently Assistant Professor of Horticulture at the Institute of Agriculture (Palli Siksha Bhavana), Visva-Bharati, Sriniketan, West Bengal, India. Dr. Deb has been teaching different undergraduate and postgraduate courses related to horticulture for several years. His major thrust of research is in minor horticultural crops, postharvest technology, and value-addition of horticultural crops. He is working on two major research projects funded by the Dept. of Atomic Energy (BRNS-BARC) and National Horticulture Mission, India. He has published more than thirty research papers in peer-reviewed national and international journals, eight book chapters, four technical bulletins, ten popular articles, and two newspaper articles. He has received several best presentation and best publication awards from recognized national societies. He is life member of nine national and international professional societies, including the International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS), Belgium. He has attended many international and national conferences and several scientific workshops. He has visited Bangladesh and Sri Lanka for deliberation at several international conferences.
Dr. Deb received his BSc in horticulture, MSc in horticulture (vegetable & spice crops) and PhD in pomology and postharvest technology from Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Cooch Behar, India. He served as a Research Associate at the National Research Centre for Orchids for about two years.
