Parshuram Sial, born in Bhadrak, Odisha, completed his B.Sc. (Agri) in 1994 and M.Sc. (Agri) in Plant Breeding & Genetics in 1997 from OUAT, Bhubaneswar. He earned his Ph.D. in Genetics and Plant Breeding from G.B. Pant University, Pantnagar in 2003. Since then, he has served in teaching, extension, and research at OUAT, contributing to biotechnology, cotton, rice, mustard, and spices breeding. He has published 3 books, 28 research papers, 15 booklets, and 4 farmer-focused videos. Dr. Sial has developed 21 crop varieties, including rice, ginger, turmeric, black turmeric, mustard, and mango ginger. He received the Best AICRP Award (2018) and Best Plant Breeder Award (2025). He is currently Associate Director of Research at RRTTS, Semiliguda, Koraput, Odisha.

Dashrath Haribhau Sarang, Assistant Professor of Genetics and Plant Breeding at Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani, Maharashtra. He holds B.Sc. and M.Sc. (Agri.) degrees from VNMKV, and a Ph.D. with distinction from Dr. PDKV, Akola. With 21 years of experience in teaching, research, and administration, he has qualified ICAR-NET and guided M.Sc. students. He has published 28 research papers, 21 popular articles, and over 60 abstracts. He contributed to the release of 9 crop varieties (cotton, soybean, safflower) and received several awards including Outstanding Ph.D. Thesis, Best Oral Presentation, Emerging Scientist, and Young Plant Breeder awards. He has participated in national/international trainings and is a life member of various scientific societies.

J.H. Kahodariya, born on 8th February 1986 in Sarangpur, Gujarat, completed his B.Sc. In Microbiology and Botany from Sardar Patel University and M.Sc. in Plant Biotechnology, followed by a Ph.D. in Plant Molecular Biology & Biotechnology from Junagadh Agricultural University. He also holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Agricultural Extension Management from MANAGE, Hyderabad. Qualified in the ICAR-NET exam, Dr. Kahodariya currently serves as Deputy Project Director under the ATMA scheme in Botad District. He has led numerous initiatives in organic farming, women empowerment, and agricultural extension. His research interests include genetic diversity, plant-pathogen interaction, and genome sequencing. He has received prestigious awards such as the Dr. N. E. Borlaug Award and Lifetime Achievement Award.

Manoj Kumar, is currently an Assistant Professor-cum-Junior Scientist in the Department of Plant Breeding & Genetics at Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour (Bhagalpur), Bihar, with 17 years of experience in teaching and research. He earned his M.Sc. in Genetics and Plant Breeding from BHU, Varanasi. He has been awarded the Visiting Fellowship Award from ICRISAT, Hyderabad, the Excellence in Teaching Award, and the Outstanding Plant Breeder Award at an international conference in Ranchi. He is a member of the Indian Phytopathological Society and the Indian Society of Genetics and Plant Breeding. His research interests include Plant Breeding and Molecular Breeding.

Saurabh Karunamay, son of Late Dr. Rupchand Karunamay, hails from Officer’s Colony, Katihar, Bihar. He completed his B.V.Sc. & A.H. in 2017 from Ranchi Veterinary College and M.V.Sc. (Livestock Products Technology) in 2019 from Mumbai Veterinary College. He qualified CSIR-UGC NET-2019 (AIR-103), GATE-2019, and ASRB/ICAR-NET-2021. He is currently an Assistant Professor at Banaras Hindu University, Mirzapur. Saurabh has published several research papers, book chapters, and review articles and has received Best Oral and Poster Presentation Awards. He has been honored with Dr. C.M. Singh National Award of Excellence-2024, Young Dairy Scientist Award-2025, and holds a patent. He is a life member of Indian Meat Science Association and Indian Dairy Association.