Dr V. B. Patel

Assistant Director General (Fruits and Plantation Crops), Horticultural Science, Indian Council of Agricultural Research

Dr Vishaw Bandhu Patel is the Assistant Director General (Fruits and Plantation Crops), Horticultural Science, at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi. Before this position, he worked as the Principal Scientist (Horticulture) at ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. He has also previously headed the Horticulture Department at Bihar Agricultural University and served as a Professor and Chief Scientist (Horticulture) and Associate Director Research.

Dr Patel currently coordinates fruits and plantation crops research throughout India, addressing the research and development needs of the sector. He has contributed significantly to pre- and post-harvest management as well as developing leaf sampling, nutrient standards and fertiliser recommendations for many fruits. He has supported the development and release of four grape varieties and one variety each of bael, litchi and makhana. He was also associated with the formulation of several government programmes, including BharatGAP, Clean Plant Program and the National Horticulture Mission.

Dr Patel is the recipient of several prestigious awards, including the Agricultural Leadership Award (Agril Today/IFCA, 2012), the ICAR-Hari Om Ashram Trust Award (ICAR, 2007), the Lal Bahadur Shastri Young Scientist Award (ICAR, 2009) and the NAAS Young Scientist Award (National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 2008). He has a PhD in Horticulture from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi.