Biofuel Crops: Production, Physiology and Genetics

Dr. Bharat Singh is a Professor of Agronomy and biofuel and carbon sequestration research leader at the Fort Valley State University. He is a Fulbright Scholar and Embassy Science Fellow. Dr. Singh has the distinction of serving as visiting professor in Africa, Asia and Europe. He has authored or co-authored over 150 articles and book chapters. His knowledge of agriculture and agriculture related industries in different parts of the world have been derived from the first hand experiences gained through travel of around 70 countries. Dr. Ratikanta Maiti Ph.D., D.Sc is renowned Botanist of international repute with specialization in crop Physiology and Botany. I worked for 9 years as a senior botanist in Jute Agricultural Research Institute, Barracpore (I.C.A.R.), Calcutta. Then I worked for 10 years as a senior Plant Physiologist in ICRISAT, Patancheru, India. Then I worked as Senior Professor and Senior Research Scientist, (CONNACY, Mexico, for 18 years) in two universities in Mexico for 20 years. At, present honoraryworking as Research Advisor , Vibha Seeds, Vibha Agrotech ltd., Hyderabad, india. Dr. Maiti won several international awards such as international Scientist award offered by IBC, Cambridge and Ehanobotanist Award-2003 sponsored by Friends university ,U.S.A. and U.ND.P. and gold medal for india 2008 offered ABI. He published about 400 research papers on different crops with about 250 citation index to his credit and more than 35 books with worldwide recognitions.. Dr. Pratik Satya is a senior plant breeder in the Crop Improvement Division of Central Research Institute for Jute and Allied Fibres, Kolkata, India. Dr.Satya has received his Masters and Doctorate degrees from Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi with outstanding academic records. He has also served as senior lecturer and Head of the Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding in Uttar BangaKrishiViswavidyalaya, West Bengal, India. He has got more than forty publications to his credit including research papers in peer reviewed journals and authored three books. Research Program Director - Asia and Director, ICRISAT Development Center (IDC) at International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru, India. His area of specialization is scaling-up science-based interventions to benefit millions of farmers in Asia and Africa particularly in the area of sustainable agriculture for improving rural livelihoods. His expertise spans thru integrated watershed management and water use efficiency (Green, blue and grey) in field to catchment scale, wasteland development, wastewater management, biodiesel plantation, integrated nutrient management and carbon sequestration for the conservation of natural resources and their sustainable use for improving livelihoods of farmers. Livelihoods improvement for small farm holders is the main thrust of his research for development (R4D). Dr. Wani has organized number of national and international meetings and co-ordinating number of multi-disciplinary, multi country projects in the area of sustainable natural resource management and for improving livelihoods and building resilience of the farmers.