Dr Mahmoud El Solh holds a PhD in Genetics from the University of California, Davis, USA, and has an impressive record of scientific publications. He has more than 30 years experience international agriculture particularly plant breeding/agricultural research in various institutions: the Ford Foundation starting in 1972, ICARDA, American University of Beirut, FAO and now as Director General of ICARDA.

Hail from Karnataka State in India, had completed B.Sc in Agriculture and M.Sc in Agricultural Economics at UAS, Bangalore , Ph.D in Agricultural Economics from IARI, New Delhi, Joined ARS in 1975 and served in ICAR as scientist/Senior Scientist and Principle Scientist at IIHR, Banglaore, CAZRI, Jodhpur and IARI, New Delhi, Professor at IARI, New Delhi, ADG(ICAR HQ), Director, NCAP and National Director, NAIP, a World Bank supported project with total service of 33 years in ICAR retired in 2009 and presently serving as Consultant.

Dr Stella O Odebode is an Associate Professor of Agricultural Extension & Rural Development ,Department of Agricultural Extension & Rural development ,University of Ibadan ,Ibadan.Nigeria. Her research focusses on Gender and Generation Issues in Agricultural Extension & Rural Development. She is the current Principal Investigator of the Gender Mainstreaming Office,University of Ibadan. Dr Stella O Odebode has over eighty publications in reputable journals,over fifteen chapters in books and two texbooks on sweetpotato processing and utilisation.