Mr. S.L. Katyal

Born in Multan (now in Pakistan) on January 15, 1922, Mr. S.L. Katyal had his early education in Punjab and obtained his B.Sc. (Agri.) degree in 1941, from Punjab Agricultural College and Research Institute, Lyallpur (Faislabad in Pakistan). He took his M.Sc. in Horticulture from University of California, Los Angeles (U.S.A.) and Post Graduate studies at Michigan State University, East Lansing, Rosa in 1947. He also obtained Diploma in Journalism from Punjab University in 1949. Mr. Katyal took up the post of Horticultural Officer in the Indian Council of Agricultural Research on May 1, 1948. Since then he has held various positions during his 29 year continuous service in the Council, like Horticultural Officer (Exhibition), Systematic Pomologist, Fruit Development Officer, Assistant Agricultural Commissioner (Horticulture), Additional Deputy Agricultural Commissioner, Deputy Agricultural Commissioner (Horticultural Crops) and since 1970. He was Assistant Director General (Horticultural Crops) at the ICAR Head quarters.

He published more than 400 articles in the field of Horticulture. He was the coauthor of two authoritative books, i.e. “Fruit Culture in India” and “The Mango” published by ICAR and the author of a book on “Vegetable Growing in India”. While in the council, Mr. Katyal has helped in formulating many projects/ schemes aimed at initiating systematic horticultural research, development, training and extension in the country, besides helping in setting up and strengthening of Central Institutes in Horticulture, Potato, Tuber Crops and Plantation Crops. He was pioneer in formulating and implementing many a Coordinated Projects at national level on fruits, vegetables, floriculture, medicinal and aromatic plants, potato, tuber crops, coconut and arecanut, cashewnut and spices, mushrooms and several other agricultural crops. He was key person behind extablishment of ICAR Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region at Shillong, Meghalaya. He had the good fortune of working with horticultural stalwarts like Sardar Bahadur Lal Singh, Dr G.S. Cheema, Dr M.S. Randhawa, Dr B.P. Pal and others.

Mr. Katyal travelled extensively all over the world. During 1967-68, he worked as Horticultural Advisor to the Government of Surinam (South America). He helped that country in introduction of many varieties of different fruits and ornamental plants from India besides improving the mango, banana, citrus, coconut, black pepper crops there. Mr. Katyal also headed a three-man Study Team to United Kingdom to study general horticultural research there in 1974 and a Five scientist team on DatePalm to Iran, Iraq and U.S.A. (California) in 1976 for about five weeks each time.

Mr. Katyal also associated himself closely with various Horticultural Societies in India. He has been President of All India Mushroom Grower’s Association and also All India Plant Science Association, besides being Vice-President and Executive Councillor of a number of State Agricultural and Horticultural Societies. He was elected President of the Indian Society of Vegetable Science for the year 1977.

Mr. Katyal was intimately associated with the Horticultural Society of India in different capacities since 1949, when he was chosen as Sub-Editor. He took over as Secretary-cum-Editor during 1951-54. Member, Editorial Board 1955 to 1957 and 1959 to 1962, Executive Councillor 1958, 1963 and 1964 and Vice President, from 1965 to 1968. He has been President of the Society since 1969 and has thus served the Society continuously for 29 years. He was elected President of the Society for the year 1978 and served the society till his untimely death in Australia on April 28, 1978.