Dr K.L. Chadha

Born on November 15, 1936 at Bhopalwala, in Sialkot district (now in Pakistan), Dr K.L. Chadha received his M.Sc. (Ag.) degree from Punjab University, Chandigarh (1960) and Ph.D. from IARI, New Delhi (1964). He served as Fruit Research Assistant at Horticultural Research Station, Mashobara, Shimla after his graduation in 1955-56. After post graduation, he served for a short while as Technical Assistant (Hort) at ICAR Head quarters in 1959. While continuing his doctorate degree at IARI, he was selected as Assistant Horticulturist, Citrus Dieback Scheme, IARI, New Delhi (1963-64), thereafter he moved as Fruit Specialist at PAU, Ludhiana (1964-69). Later, he held several prestigious positions, e.g. Senior Horticulturist, IIHR (1969-72), Project Co-ordinator (Fruits) (1972-80) and Head, Central Mango Research Station, Lucknow (1972-80); Director, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru (1980-85), First Horticulture Commissioner, Govt of India; First Executive Director, National Horticulture Board (1986-87) and Deputy Director General (Hort.), ICAR at New Delhi (1987-96). He was also the first National Professor (ICAR) at IARI, New Delhi during 1997-2001. In the private sector, he served as Chairman, Indian Society of Agri-business Professional (ISAP) and Indian Agribusiness Systems Pvt. Ltd. (Agriwatch), New Delhi ( 2007-08), and Chief Agriculture Advisor, FICCI. He is founding Chairman of the Institute of Horticulture Technology, established under the aegis of an NGO at Greater Noida since its inception in 2008.

Dr K.L. Chadha is a highly respected and distinguished horticulturist who has mentored all round R&D in Horticulture of India during the last five decades. He is accredited with laying foundation of a technology-led horticulture R&D in the country as Secretary/Chairman, Working Groups on Horticulture during three Five Year Plans, namely VIII, X & XI resulting in huge funding support by the Govt. of India, which helped in creation of a sound R&D infrastructure and launching of several Flagship programmes. As DDG (Hort.), ICAR he set up 9 National Research Centres and 4 National Institutes in 9 states of the country.

Dr Chadha is a prolific writer having compiled and edited 40 books/ bulletins in horticulture including monumental compilation Advances in Horticulture in 13 volumes (9410 pages) released during 1993-97 and Agriculture & Environment released by Dr Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India during 2006. He was also responsible for planning, co-ordinating and editing of the very popular ICAR publication ‘Handbook of Horticulture’ published in 2000 and revised in 2018.

He has nurtured 15 professional agri-horti societies as President or Vice President including National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, New Delhi (Editor, 1999 2000; Vice President, 2000-02), Indian Society of Agricultural Sciences, New Delhi (President, 1994-96), Indian Society of Vegetable Sciences, Varanasi (Vice President, 1986-2005), Association for the Improvement in Production and Utilization of Banana, Trichi, Tamil Nadu (President 1996-02), Mushroom Society of India, Solan, H.P. (President, 1991-98), Orchid Society of India, Chandigarh (President, 199096), Bougainvillea Society of India, New Delhi (President, 1993-96), Rose Society of India, New Delhi (Vice-President,1989-96), All India Kitchen Garden Association (Chief Patron, 1990-till date), Delhi Agri-Horticultural Society, New Delhi (VicePresident, 1987-96), Delhi Dahlia Society, New Delhi (Vice-President, 1993-96) and IARI Alumini Association, President (1993-94). He has also held important positions in International Agriculture as Vice-Chairman, Board of Trustee, International Potato Centre, Lima, Peru and Member, Editorial Board, Commonwealth Agriculture Bureau. He was a consultant to FAO, USAID, World Bank, IPGRI in 9 countries on development of horticulture and plant genetic resources. He has represented India on International Society of Horticulture Sciences, Netherlands for 20 years (1982-2002).

Dr Chadha has won several awards and recognitions from International and National Academies, Agricultural Universities, societies, industry and farmer organisations. These include 4 Fellowships including those from International Society of Horticulture Sciences, The Netherlands; National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS), New Delhi and 3 D.Sc. (Agri) Honoris Causa degrees by State Agricultural Universities, at Kanpur, U.P., Pusa, Bihar and Bhubaneswar, Odhisa respectively. Important awards received by him include Krishi Shiromani Samman (Mahindra & Mahindra Pvt. Ltd., 2014); Padma Shri (2012), Dr B.P. Pal Memorial Award (NAAS, 2005); Om Prakash Bhasin Award (1992) and Borlaug Award (1984). He is the only Indian horticulture scientist recognized as Fellow by the International Society of Horticulture Sciences. He was also conferred HSI-Shivshakthi Life-Time Achievement Award-2007 and National Agriculture Leadership Award for Life Time Achievement-2008. He was also recognized as Adjunct Professor, IARI (2011-2018).

Dr Chadha has the rare distinction of being associated with the society in various capacities during the last five decades. He was first inducted into the society in the year 1965 as Member Editorial Board, became Editor in 1969, as Secretary in 1981 and President in 1990. He has been enjoying the support and confidence of society members and serving it and working for the cause of the Horticulture. His initiatives and dedication have brought a paradigm shift in horticulture R&D in India, catalysing fast growth and bringing the sector to the national focus in achieving food and nutritional security, employment generation besides improving incomes of small and marginal farmers. He is fondly referred as Father of Indian Horticulture by different organizations and individuals in the country.