Auteur: Dev Raj

Dev Raj is Associate Professor and Head (Post Harvest Technology) in the Department of Post Harvest Technology at ASPEE College of Horticulture and Forestry, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari, Gujarat (India) 396450. He also served as Scientist (Food Technology) in the Department of Food Science and Technology at Dr Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry Nauni, Solan (HP) 173230, India. He has born on dated 29th July 1973 at Village Kasaru, PO Badhaghat, Tehsil Ghumarwin, Distt Bilaspur HP 174029. He is having very good 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 Ph D in Post Harvest Technology from Dr Y S Parmar University, Solan. He has been awarded with ICAR Junior Research Fellowship during MSc and merit Scholarship during Ph D. 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 wide experience of teaching both UG and PG students of Post Harvest Technology as well as Food Science and Technology. He has guided more than eight MSc and Ph D students at level of major Advisor and Co-advisor. He has to his credited more than 35 research papers published in journals of national and international repute along with more than 40 popular articles/ review/technical articles, two manuals, more than 5 book chapters and five books entitled “Quality Control for value addition in Food Processing; Food Science and Technology: Glossary of Preeminence; Technological Innovations in Potato Processing; and Post Harvest Technology and Engineering: An illustrated Guide”. He was Co-PI and project leader for different projects under All India Coordinated Research Project on Post Harvest Technology (ICAR). For their contribution, AICRP on PHT at Solan (HP) was ranked best performing centre by the ICAR, New Delhi in 2007-08. He also handled externally funded project of NOVOD Board, GOI as Co-PI. At present he is handling three plan schemes along with 9 state funded projects under ARESCO. He is Principal Investigator for three plan schemes viz. centre of excellence on PHT, Strengthening of PG programme for Post Harvest technology and process Engineering and Establishment of fruit and vegetable packaging research centre. He is recipient of Kejriwal award (2008) and Dr J.S. Pruthi Memorial Award (2010) for their research contribution in the interest of food industries development (potato processing) by All India Food Processors Association, New Delhi. He is member for many professional societies. He also received best oral paper presentation award on “Noni” processing during 2013 and two best poster presentation awards for their research contribution in mushroom processing and tomato waste utilization for value addition. He is also handling Experiential Learning (ELP) projects for preparation of different products. He has commercialized more than 10 innovative food products. He is referee cum editorial manager of prestigious Journal of Food Science and Technology. He is also appointed as paper setter cum examiner by many agricultural universities for courses of Post Harvest Technology & Engineering as well as Food Science and Technology. Rakesh Sharma is Assistant Professor (PHT) in the Department of Postharvest Technology, Dr Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry Nauni, Solan (HP) 173230, India. He has born on 26th January, 1976 in a rural village ‘Kot’, Tehsil Ghumarwin District Bilaspur of Himachal Pradesh. Besides his Post-graduation and Doctorate in Postharvest Technology from Dr Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP), he has also done PG Diploma in Agriculture Marketing from Pondicherry University and Certificate Course in Food and Nutrition from IGNOU. Dr Sharma has good experience in research, teaching and extension in the field of Postharvest management of horticultural crops. He has guided more than 05 BTech/MTech/ MSc students for their research project/ Master’s thesis research in the capacity of major advisor and co-advisor. He has also handled three Ad hoc research/ teaching projects including ICAR’s Experiential Learning (ELP) in Fruit and Vegetable Processing, Horticulture Technology Mission and DST. He has to his credit more than 68 publications including about 40 research papers published in journals of national and international repute, along with reviews, popular articles and book chapters, besides being author of one book, 2 manuals. He has also presented research papers/lectures as resource person and also chaired the technical sessions in different National as well as International Seminars/Conferences/Symposia. Dr Rakesh Sharma has also served Department of Horticulture, Haryana (India) as Consultant- Postharvest Management under National Horticulture Mission during 2007-2008. He is life member and full member of many professional associations/ societies of India. Dr Sharma is recipient of NN Mohan Memorial Award (2005) & JS Pruthi Memorial Award (2011) by All India Food Processor’s Association, New Delhi; Best Research Paper Award (2007) under the category Food Technology by Association of Food Scientists and Technologists (India), CFTRI, Mysore and ISHA Best Research Paper Award (2010) by Indian Society of Hill Agriculture, Ranichauri, Uttrakhand. He has also been appointed as member editorial board, referee of reputed Indian journals and paper setter-cum-evaluator by many universities.