Dr. V.R. Gadwal obtained his Ph. D. in Genetics and Plant Breeding from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. His professional experience spans over four decades. He had held senior positions in United States Agency for International Development Project (USAID), Glaxo Laboratories and Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Company Ltd. He is the Fellow of the Indian Botanical Society and Indian Society for Genetics and Plant Breeding. He has attended several national and international seminars and was the convener for the international seminar on Hybrid Rice in 1992 and he is a member of the Board of Directors of HDFC Bank. Currently he is an advisor to MAHYCO, Barwale Foundation and Almet Corporation Ltd.