Prof. S. Krishnamurthi

Prof. S. Krishnamurthi born on July 15, 1911, obtained B.Sc. (Agri.) from Madras University, M.Sc. from California University, U.S.A. and Ph.D. from the Michigan State University, U.S.A. In a career spanning more than six decades, Prof. Krishnamurthi has held very important positions including Professor and Head, Department of Agriculture, Annamalai University; Assistant Agricultural Commissioner, Government of India; Head, Division of Horticulture, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi; Dean, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Coimbatore; Director of Agriculture, Government of Madras and Managing Director, Banana and Fruit Development Corporation, Madras. He has served as Visiting Professor of International Agriculture at the Michigan State University, USA: as Consultant to the UNDP and as Chief of the FAO’s Special Fund Project in Iraq.

He was the Founder Chairman of Krishnamurthi International Agricultural Development Foundation, which laid particular emphasis on Horticulture, Forestry and Environment (Eco-preservation and Eco-development) in collaboration with the Swedish International Development Authority (SIDA) and FAO. He was Visiting Professor, International Centre (for Global Studies Programmes) Michigan State University, USA; Leader of the UNDP & FAO for the establishment of College of Agriculture, Forestry and Animal Husbandry in the Middle East and Advisor UNDP programme in the Middle East.

At the Agricultural College & Research Institute, Coimbatore, he organized and consolidated a new Horticultural Section with orchards, botanical gardens and parks. He also established a World Banana Collection. He established and stabilized the Department of Agriculture at the Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu on the model of American Land Grant Universities. He established a new Division of Horticulture at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi and became its first Head. He founded the Delhi Agri-Horticultural Society.

As President of the Horticultural Society of India (1964-68) he was instrumental in the establishment of the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru. He also organised the Silver Jubilee of the Horticultural Society of India at the IARI, New Delhi with the official association of the FAO and the International Society for Horticulture Sciences. The active participation of galaxy of an eminent international Horticultural Scientists gave wide recognition to the society.

He was a member of the Indian Central Arecanut Committee, Indian Central Coconut Committee, Tuber Crops Committee, Cashew and Spices Development Committee Dr S. Krishnamurthi (1964-68)
and Banana and Fruit Development Committees in the Ministry of Commerce, Govt. of India.

He was India’s representation on the Council of the International Society of Horticulture Sciences. He was the founder President of the Madras State Grape Society; President of the South Indian Horticultural Association; and Member Coffee Board, Bangalore (Govt. of India). He was instrumental in establishing the independent wing for Horticulture headed by an Additional Director of Horticulture in the Govt. of Tamil Nadu.