Dr Dev Raj is Professor and Head (Post Harvest Technology), in the Department of Post Harvest Technology, ASPEE College of Horticulture, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari, Gujarat India. He also worked as Scientist (Food Technology), in the Department of Food Science and Technology, Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry Nauni, Solan (HP) 173230, India. He is having more than 20 years experience in research, teaching and extension experience in the field of Post Harvest Technology and Food Science & Technology. He is graduated in Horticulture from Dr YS Parmar University, Solan; MSc in Post Harvest Technology of Horticultural Crops from University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bangalore and PhD in Post Harvest Technology of Horticultural Crops from Dr YS Parmar University, Solan. He has been awarded with ICAR Junior Research Fellowship during MSc and merit Scholarship during PhD. He also served at Directorate of Mushroom Research (Indian Council of Agricultural Research), Chambaghat as Senior Research Fellow for about 2 years. He has a very good experience in the field of processing, preservation and value addition of fruits and vegetables. He has to his credited more than 70 research papers published in journals of national and international repute along with more than 70 popular articles/technical articles, 17 book chapters, 11 books related to Food Processing. He was Co-PI and project leader for different projects under All India Coordinated Research Project on Post Harvest Technology (ICAR). He also handled externally funded project of NOVOD Board, GOI as Co-PI. He has more than 30 research recommendations for the farming communities. He handled more than 30 research experiments as PI. He has guided 9 MSc and 8 PhD Students as major guide. He is recipient of various awards including Fellow award of ISHRD, Kejriwal award (2008) and Dr J.S. Pruthi Memorial Award (2010) for their research contribution in the interest of food industries developmentby All India Food Processors Association, New Delhi. He is member for many professional societies. He is referee of prestigious Journal of Food Science and Technology. He is also appointed as paper setter cum evaluator by many agricultural universities.
Dr. Z. P. Patel is Vice-Chancellor of Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari (Gujarat). He born on 1st May, 1957, native of Navsari, Gujarat has did his B.Sc. (Zoology) from South Gujarat University, Surat; M.Sc (Agri.) in Agricultural Entomology from erstwhile Gujarat Agricultural University, Navsari and Ph.D in Agricultural Entomology from GAU, Anand (Gujarat) in 1994. He reached to the highest position of Vice-Chancellor, after serving various positions viz. JRF, SRF, Senior Research Assistant, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Professor. He was first Principal of College of Agriculture, Waghai and worked as Dean, Faculty of Agriculture at NAU Navsari. He also established accredited NABL Food Quality Testing Laboratory at Navsari during his tenure as Professor. For all these efforts, he is undoubtedly titled as'Man of Infrastructure Developmentin the University. He possessed about 40 years of experience in Research, Education, Extension & Administration and 27 years hands-on experience in Tribal belt. As a Vice Chancellor, now he has taken the Name and Fame of the Navsari Agricultural University to new heights by improving the standards of research, teaching, extension, infrastructure development and administrative improvements in every aspect. He had Major contributions in the Pest Management; and has important research achievements in the field of Entomology and worked specially to control Fruit flies in Fruit crops and Vegetables. He developed and commercialized one kind of first fruit fly trap (Nauroji Stone House Fruit Fly Trap) in the country which is very effective, economic, eco-friendly and sustainable for the management of fruit flies enhancing the export potential and is patented technology. His work on fruit fly gave him recognition as 'Man of Fruit Fly' in academic and farming fraternity. He also developed Crop Pest Map in Sapota which guided farmers to implement Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies more efficiently in time to protect the crop and reap higher income. His contribution for control of Sapota Seed/Fruit Borer; an insect named Trymalitis margarias found first time in the world is of paramount importance and saved the crop in Gujarat as well as in country from its destruction. He is also known for his contribution for Bio-Control of Sugarcane Pyrilla which was one of the most devastating pest of sugarcane in South Gujarat and has been controlled by a very effective natural enemy, Epiricania melanoleuca which is proved as most successful example of Bio-control in Gujarat. He has guided total 17 students (12 M.Sc & 5 Ph.D) in Agricultural Entomology as Major advisor. He is also a good extension educationist and wholeheartedly participated in Krishi Mahotsav and successfully convinced farmers for the adoption of new technologies. He also delivered numerous TV talks and radio talks. He was successful in creating large scale awareness among farmers regarding use of fruit fly trap. Dr. Patel has in his credits about more than 5 patents, 47 research papers published in referred international and national journals, 03 Books published, 04 papers presented in International seminar, 12 paper presented in National seminar, 10 Research technologies developed for farmers, 38 popular articles and booklets, 02 lead lectures delivered in National conference, 04 projects completed as Principle Investigator and 06 projects initiated as Principal. He has acted as Chairman/Member/Convenor in many research, extension, academic forums of NAU, Navsari before joining as Vice-Chancellor NAU, Navsari. During the tenure of his services he received Awards, recognitions and appreciations and is a proud recipient of the most coveted Research Excellence Awards from two consecutive Hon. Chief Ministers of Gujarat State (i) First by Shri Keshubhai Patel during 2000 (Sardar Patel Agricultural Research Award, GoG) for the Crop-Pest map in Sapota (ii) Shri Narendrabhai Modi in 2012 (Federation of Gujarat Industries Award) for the Fruit fly trap. Other awards include Significant Achievement Award by Rotary International, Gandevi in 2001 and Publication of success story 'Integrated Pest Management for Higher Fruit Production' of RKVY in 'Coffee Table Book' - a publication of GoI in 2012. He also has foreign exposure as attended 25 days international training at Israel and delivered lecture in UC Davis University of California, USA. He is always a man of different thoughts and hisJarahatke approachmade him a versatile person in all his work. He is a good team leader, punctual, visionary, and a quick decision-maker. A true son of the soil, Dr. Z. P. Patel has always thought for the welfare of farmers and students; and his untiring efforts, due diligence, and perseverance have set an example for the scientific and teaching fraternity.
