Dr. B.N. Srinivasa Murthy
Ex-Director, ICAR- Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru
Ex Horticulture Commissioner
Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare
Email: bns[DOT]murthy[AT]icar[DOT]gov[DOT]in
Completed his undergraduate and post-graduate degrees from the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, and obtained Ph.D. from the University of Guelph, Canada as Commonwealth Scholar. He is the recipient of University Gold medals for his outstanding performance in all three levels.
Served as Horticulture Commissioner, Department of Agriculture Cooperation & Farmers Welfare in the Ministry of Agriculture, and Government of India for four years and held the additional charge of Member secretaries of National Bee Board, National Committee on Plasticulture Applications in Horticulture (NCPAH), and CEO, National Centre for Cold-chain Development.
In his professional career developed and released 8 grape hybrids, 3 pomegranate hybrids, 1 strawberry, and 2 passion fruit hybrids some of them are popular in farmer’s fields. He Perfected technology for Soil-less culture and a verti-grow system for strawberries for peri-urban horticulture. Published over 90 research articles in peer-reviewed national and international journals, over 30 popular articles, Technical bulletins, and book chapters. Guided over 20 MSc and Ph.D. students, Thought several post-graduate courses, and was invited / lead speaker at several national and international conferences/seminars. He himself organized several national and state conferences, farmer’s interaction meetings. The organized group of farmers to promote the cultivation and export fruit crops like pomegranate, grapes, and mango. Being tech-savvy, introduced drone-based services at the Institute and to his credit, he has also developed mobile apps on crops like pomegranate and custard apple.
Recipient of Aryabhata award, Fellow of Society for Advancement of Research on Pomegranate (SARP), Solapur, Commonwealth Scholar of Canadian Commonwealth Association, Canada, over 15 different scholarships from University of Guelph including Arthur Richmond Memorial Scholarship, University of Guelph Graduate Scholarship, The Mary Edmunds Williams scholarship, Hoskins Scholarship, Mrs. Fred Ball Scholarship.
His wife is a homemaker and he has one daughter, Dr. Nikitha Murthy, MBBS, MS - Obstetrics & Gynaecology, DNB - Obstetrics & Gynecology, Fellowship in Reproductive Medicine.
After his tenure in the Ministry, he has been repatriated to ICAR and he is presently working as Director, Indian Institute of Horticulture Research.