Pramod AggarwalRegional Program Leader, Borlaug Institute for South Asia
Pramod has earned two Ph.Ds.—one from the University of Indore and another from Wageningen University in the Netherlands. He was the Coordinating Lead Author of the agriculture chapter of the Nobel Prize-winning IPCC team and served as the Asia Lead of the CGIAR Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food... [ View ] |
Khurshid AhmedIndian Farmer in Haryana
Khurshid Ahmed is a resident of Pathkhori village in Nuh district, Haryana, and one of the first community members from his village to be associated with the Krishi Jyoti Project. A farmer by profession, he owns eight acres of land and cultivates multiple crops. A check dam under the Krishi Jyoti... [ View ] |
Navtej BainsDirector of Research, Punjab Agricultural University (2017-2021)
Navtej Bains worked as a Wheat Breeder, Leader of the Wheat Improvement Team (2012–17) and Director of Research (2017–21) at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. His research priorities included the use of wide hybridization, marker-assisted selection and doubled haploids for varietal development. He contributed to the first batch of nationally released... [ View ] |
Nidhi BhasinChief Executive Officer, Digital Green
With over 25 years of experience in social development, program management and nonprofit leadership, Bhasin brings a wealth of expertise to her role as CEO of Digital Green in India. Prior to joining Digital Green, she served as CEO of Nasscom Foundation, where she transformed the organization and took it... [ View ] |
Arti BhatiaPrincipal Scientist, Indian Council of Agricultural Research
Dr. Arti Bhatia has contributed significantly to the quantification of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and reactive nitrogen fluxes from agricultural soils, as well as the evaluation of management practices and biotic and abiotic factors affecting GHG emissions, their mitigation and nitrogen use efficiency. She rationalized the estimates of GHG emissions... [ View ] |
Pratap Singh BirthalDirector, ICAR-National Institute of Agricultural Economics and Policy Research
Dr. Pratap Singh Birthal is a distinguished agricultural economist with more than three decades of contributions to agricultural research, policy, and development. Before his appointment as Director, he served as ICAR National Professor at ICAR–NIAP, Principal Economist at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru, and... [ View ] |
Julie BorlaugMember, World Food Prize Foundation Council of Advisors and President, Borlaug Consulting
For 22 years, Julie Borlaug has successfully worked in international agricultural development, agricultural communications, and external and corporate relations. As the granddaughter of Dr. Norman Borlaug, she works to champion his legacy and lend a voice to his desire to see more successful collaborative partnerships across sectors and scientific disciplines... [ View ] |
Sharon BurkeChief Engagement Officer, CIMMYT
The Honorable Sharon E. Burke is the Chief Engagement Officer at CIMMYT, where she oversees strategy for public communications and investor engagement. She is also the Founder and President of Ecospherics, a policy and strategic communications firm dedicated to addressing the intersection of ecological health and security. Throughout her career, she... [ View ] |
Ramesh ChandMember, National Institution for Transforming India Aayog
Prof. Ramesh Chand is a Member of the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog), the apex think tank of the Government of India. He is also a member of the Integrated Partnership Board (IPB) of CGIAR and the Policy Advisory Council (PAC) of ACIAR. In the past, he served... [ View ] |
Bharat CharChief Science Officer, Mahyco
Dr. Bharat Char is Chief Science Officer at Mahyco Private Limited in Jalna, India. He earned his PhD in biochemistry and molecular biology from the University of Southern California Medical School in Los Angeles, USA, and completed postdoctoral work in plant molecular genetics at the University of California, Berkeley. His... [ View ] |
Vikas ChaudharyIndian Farmer in Haryana
Mr. Vikas Chaudhary, a young and innovative farmer from Village Taraori, District Karnal, Haryana, serves as Secretary of the Society for Conservation of Natural Resources and Empowering Rural Youth. For over 15 years, he has partnered with CIMMYT India and ICAR on participatory climate-smart agriculture, promoting practices such as Happy... [ View ] |
Pana DeviIndian Farmer in Rajasthan
Pana Devi, 57, is a farmer from Khari village in Lunkaransar block, Bikaner, Rajasthan. She cultivates guar during the kharif season under rainfed conditions and supplements her livelihood through livestock rearing. Alongside farming, she works at the local Anganwadi, supporting nutrition and care services for women and children in her... [ View ] |
Poonam DeviIndian Farmer in Bihar
From the small village of Rajapur in Sakra block, Muzaffarpur district of Bihar, Poonam Devi has been a driving force for women’s agricultural empowerment. She became associated with the CIMMYT-led program in 2013 as a farmer through the NGO she was affiliated with, Creation Welfare Society (CWS). Initially organized into... [ View ] |
Rekha DeviIndian Farmer in Rajasthan
Rekha Devi hails from Mansapur village in Alwar district, Rajasthan. Her family of five owns two acres of land, and her life and livelihood revolve around agriculture and caring for the home and animals. Through the Krishi Jyoti Project, she has seen her fields flourish and her community thrive with... [ View ] |
Seema DeviIndian Farmer in Bihar
In the village of Rajapur in Muzaffarpur district, Bihar, farmer Seema Devi spent years working tirelessly on her one-acre farm yet saw herself only as a “farmer assistant” or “farm laborer,” never a farmer. This perception began to change in 2015 when she started collaborating with CIMMYT. Exposure to improved... [ View ] |
Anahita DhondyChef
Chef Anahita Dhondy began her culinary journey at the age of 10, helping her mother—herself a chef and caterer—in the family kitchen. There she learned the foundations of traditional Parsi food, the rich cuisine of India’s Zoroastrian community to which she belongs. During culinary school, she realized that Zoroastrian cuisine was... [ View ] |
Robin EdwinCountry Head and Managing Director, Mosaic India
Robin Edwin has held a range of leadership roles in sales and management with multinational companies including Mosaic India, The Mosaic Company, Cargill, Monsanto Company and Eli Lilly and Company. He is currently the Country Head and Managing Director at Mosaic India, where he leads business strategy and operations. Alongside his... [ View ] |
Bram Govaerts2014 Borlaug Field Award Recipient and Director General, CIMMYT
Bram Govaerts is CIMMYT’s Director General. He is an international authority in maize, wheat and associated cropping systems who works for a successful transformation of small-scale farming in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Govaerts advises public, private and social organizations worldwide and is an active member of research groups and... [ View ] |
Simon HeckDirector General, International Potato Institute
Simon Heck is Director General of the International Potato Center (CIP), a research center of the CGIAR Integrated Partnership. He is a member of the CGIAR Global Leadership Team. Headquartered in Lima, Peru, CIP delivers science and innovation on Root and Tuber Crops through a global network of public and private... [ View ] |
Mashal HusainPresident, World Food Prize Foundation
Mashal Husain brings exceptional leadership and a global perspective to the organization. With a multicultural background spanning Pakistan, Tanzania, Thailand and the Philippines, Husain found her niche when she started her role at the Foundation in 2008. During her tenure, she has overseen diverse and impactful initiatives, including leading a... [ View ] |
Jessica HylandExecutive Director, Iowa Biotechnology Association
Jessica Hyland has served as the Executive Director of the Iowa Biotechnology Association (IowaBio) since 2019. She leads the nonprofit trade association, founded in 1994 to unify Iowa's bioscience industry, academic research institutions and economic development organizations. The association represents more than 100 members invested in Iowa and the biotech... [ View ] |
Anil JainVice Chairman and CEO, Jain Irrigation Systems
Mr. Anil Jain is the Vice Chairman and CEO of Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd., a role he has held since 1992 after joining the company’s management team in 1984. From 1987 to 1991, he led international marketing from JAIN’s New York office, helping lay the foundation for the company’s expansion... [ View ] |
Mangi Lal JatSecretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education and Director General, ICAR
Dr. Mangi Lal Jat is presently leading one of the world’s largest networks, the Indian National Agricultural Research, Education and Extension System. Dr. Jat has served the CGIAR in various capacities, including Deputy Director General (Research) at ICRISAT, where he directed the Global Research Program on Resilient Farm and Food... [ View ] |
Brent JohnsonFarmer and President, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation
Brent Johnson was elected President of the Iowa Farm Bureau in December 2021. He also serves on the American Farm Bureau Federation Board of Directors. Johnson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agronomy from Iowa State University and specialized in precision agriculture while working as an agronomist and certified crop... [ View ] |
Nilima JorwarWriter, Photographer and Founder and Executive Director, Kalsubai Millets Farmers Producer Company
Nilima Jorwar is an author, photographer and researcher of tribal food traditions. She is the Founder and Executive Director of the Kalsubai Millets Farmers Producer Company and has been working since 2013 on millet conservation by establishing Maharashtra’s first community millet processing unit. She is dedicated to preserving indigenous crops by... [ View ] |
Ramchandra KaundinyaPartner, AgVaya and Adviser, Federation of Seed Industry of India
Ramachandra (Ram) Kaundinya is an expert in the field of agriculture management. He is an author, strategic management consultant, teacher and policy analyst in India. A graduate in agriculture from Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University, he holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Management with a specialization in agriculture from the Indian Institute... [ View ] |
E.D. Israel Oliver KingDirector, Biodiversity, M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation
Dr. E. D. Israel Oliver King, an ethnobotanist, serves as Biodiversity Programme Leader at the M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), founded in 1988 by Prof. M. S. Swaminathan. He joined the Biodiversity Programme in 1996, beginning research on Sacred Forest Systems under Prof. Swaminathan’s mentorship. Over the years, he has... [ View ] |
Venkata Subbarao KolliMember, S M Sehgal Foundation Board of Trustees and Partner, Agvaya LLP
Dr. Venkata Subbarao Kolli is an agricultural business leader with over three decades of experience across Asia Pacific, Africa and the Middle East. A partner at Agvaya LLP, he advises and mentors in sustainable agriculture, seed technology and rural development, supporting businesses and startups in the agri-food sector. With 32... [ View ] |
Sandeep KondajiFounder and CEO, Krishitantra
Sandeep Kondaji is an instrumentation engineer by qualification but has always considered himself an agriculturist at heart. A serial entrepreneur, he established two successful ventures in Oman, yet his thoughts continually returned to his agricultural roots. In 2016, he sold his businesses in Oman and moved back to India to... [ View ] |
Veda KrishnanSenior Scientist, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI)
Dr. Veda Krishnan is a Senior Scientist in Biochemistry at the ICAR–Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, with thirteen years of research and teaching experience. She earned her PhD in Biotechnology and completed postdoctoral research at Purdue University’s Whistler Center for Carbohydrate Research as a Fulbright–Nehru Fellow (2022). As... [ View ] |
Alison LaingAgroecologist Specialist, CIMMYT
Alison Laing is the CIMMYT lead for CSISA India and leads bilateral and initiative-funded projects in South and Southeast Asia. She works with farmers and researchers across the region to sustainably improve cropping and farming system productivity, profitability and resilience. Alison firmly believes in participatory, multi-disciplinary research and in combining practical,... [ View ] |
Praveen MalikPrincipal Scientist, Indian Council of Agricultural Research and CEO, Agrinnovate India
Dr. Praveen Malik has more than 30 years of experience in animal health research and management. From 1996 to 2015, he served at ICAR–NRCE, Hisar, progressing from Scientist to Principal Scientist. Between 2010 and 2015, he was In-charge of the National Centre for Veterinary Type Culture, a repository of microbes... [ View ] |
Satendra MangrauthiaSenior Scientist, ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research
Dr. Satendra, Senior Scientist of Plant Biochemistry at ICAR-IIRR, earned his bachelor's degree from C.S.A. University of Agriculture & Technology, Kanpur (2001) and his master's (2004) and doctorate (2008) degrees in Biochemistry from IARI, New Delhi. He completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Purdue University, USA and served as a visiting... [ View ] |
Purvi MehtaMember, World Food Prize Foundation Council of Advisors
Dr. Purvi Mehta is an international development executive with over 28 years of experience across major global markets in Asia, Africa and North America. Her career has been defined by leadership in agriculture-related industries, climate change, financial management and technology transfer. She holds academic credentials up to the doctoral level, with... [ View ] |
Trilochan MohapatraChairperson, Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Authority
Dr. T. Mohapatra is currently Chairperson of the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPVFRA), New Delhi, a statutory body under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, in the rank of Secretary to the Government of India. Prior to this assignment, he served for more... [ View ] |
Hon. Mike NaigSecretary of Agriculture, State of Iowa
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig grew up on a family farm near Cylinder in northwest Iowa and remains actively involved in its operation today. He is a graduate of Buena Vista University in Storm Lake and has spent his entire career working in agriculture. Mike was elected as the 15th... [ View ] |
Rajendra Singh ParodaChairman, Trust for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences
Dr. R. S. Paroda, former Secretary of DARE and Director General of ICAR, is a distinguished figure in agriculture. He modernized India's national agricultural research system, establishing over 30 new institutions including the modern National Gene Bank. His leadership roles have included serving as President of the Indian Science Congress... [ View ] |
Himanshu PathakDirector General, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics
Before joining ICRISAT as Director General, Dr. Himanshu Pathak served as Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Government of India, and Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), one of the world's largest agricultural research and education organizations. Dr. Pathak has over 32 years... [ View ] |
Boddupalli Maruthi Prasanna2025 Top Agri-Food Pioneer and Managing Director, Borlaug Institute for South Asia
Dr. Boddupalli Maruthi Prasanna is an agricultural scientist whose pioneering contributions to maize genetics, breeding and seed systems have significantly advanced food security and agricultural resilience in Africa, Asia and Latin America. With over three decades of experience, Prasanna has played a crucial role in developing climate-resilient maize varieties, strengthening... [ View ] |
Hasan Hamidur RahmanDirector, Computer & GIS Unit, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council
Mr. Rahman has over 15 years of experience as an IT professional, working across various software companies and government organizations. He has led numerous national and international capacity-building workshops, seminars and conferences, sharing his expertise with diverse audiences. He is certified in ArcGIS 10.0, having completed advanced training with ESRI in... [ View ] |
Cherukumalli Srinivasa RaoDirector and Vice-Chancellor, ICAR–Indian Agricultural Research Institute
Dr. Cherukumalli Srinivasa Rao is the Director and Vice-Chancellor of the ICAR–Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi. With over three decades of leadership in agricultural research and education, he previously served as Director of ICAR–NAARM and ICAR–CRIDA, where he spearheaded programs in natural resource management, climate-resilient agriculture, soil carbon... [ View ] |
Honorable Kim ReynoldsGovernor, State of Iowa
Governor Kim Reynolds is the 43rd governor of Iowa and has the distinction of being the first woman elected to the state’s highest office. Governor Reynolds has a long-standing record of public service, having served four terms as Clarke County Treasurer before being elected to the Iowa Senate in November 2008.... [ View ] |
Joe RobertsFarmer and President, Iowa Corn Promotion Board
Joe Roberts is a third-generation farmer from northern Iowa where he farms alongside his parents and wife, raising corn and soybeans while implementing various conservation practices. Joe currently serves as the President of the Iowa Corn Promotion Board, where he strives to create opportunities for long-term corn grower profitability through... [ View ] |
Yashpal SaharawatDirector, Resilience and Environment, International Fertilizer Development Center
Dr. Yashpal S. Saharawat is an internationally recognized scientist and development leader with over two decades of experience advancing sustainable agriculture, climate-resilient fertilizer innovations and soil health policy across Asia, Africa and America. As a Director at the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), he spearheads global initiatives to enhance soil,... [ View ] |
Chetna Bai SahuIndian Farmer in Madhya Pradesh
Chetna Bai Sahu, wife of Arvind Kumar Sahu, from Village Kanchanpur, Post Karondi, District Dindori, Madhya Pradesh, has been associated with BISA–CIMMYT, Jabalpur since 2024 under the Climate Resilient Agriculture (CRA) program. She has adopted several climate-resilient practices such as crop residue management, zero-tillage wheat, climate-resilient wheat variety DBW-187, integrated... [ View ] |
Jay SehgalExecutive Vice President, Sehgal Foundation
Jay Sehgal is a distinguished leader in rural development and philanthropy, currently serving as Chairperson of S M Sehgal Foundation, a role he assumed on April 1, 2025 following the visionary leadership of Dr. Suri Sehgal. He also serves as Executive Vice President of the Sehgal Foundation in the United... [ View ] |
Madhulika SinghAgriculture Specialist and Physiologist, CIMMYT
Dr. Madhulika Singh, a Plant Physiologist, completed her doctoral work at the Indian Institute of Maize Research (IIMR), New Delhi. As an Agriculture Specialist at CIMMYT, based in Patna, Bihar, she played a key role in data collection and analysis for agronomic studies at both experimental and on-station trials in... [ View ] |
Saranjeet SinghFarmer in Uttar Pradesh
Throughout his career, Saranjeet Singh has adopted several innovative technologies in agriculture. He began working with CIMMYT in 2000 and, with their support, successfully implemented the Laser Land Leveller in Uttar Pradesh, achieving highly positive results. He later worked on zero-tillage wheat, direct-seeded rice (DSR) and bed-planted maize—technologies that helped... [ View ] |
Ajay Kumar SoodPrincipal Scientific Advisor, Government of India and Board Member, CIMMYT
Ajay Kumar Sood has served as Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India since April 2022. He chairs the Prime Minister’s Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC) and is a National Science Chair Professor at IISc Bangalore. With a doctorate in physics from IISc, his research in quantum materials... [ View ] |
Chris StevensDirector, Global Agribusiness, Kellogg Company
Chris is a supply chain professional with more than 25 years of experience delivering competitive advantages in the sustainable supply of key materials and activities across the globe for the Kellogg Company. As the Global Head of Agribusiness and Agronomy at Kellogg, he oversees the full spectrum of agribusiness and sustainability... [ View ] |
Ezhil SubbianCEO and Co-Founder, String Bio
Dr. Ezhil co-founded String Bio in 2013, leveraging her expertise in biobased product innovation to develop sustainable solutions using greenhouse gases like methane. Prior to String, she played key roles in biobased product innovation at several early-stage companies in the Silicon Valley ecosystem. With over 20 years of experience in biobased... [ View ] |
Madhura SwaminathanMember, World Food Prize Foundation Council of Advisors
Madhura Swaminathan is Professor and Head of the Economic Analysis Unit at the Indian Statistical Institute, Bengaluru. She holds a doctorate in Economics from the University of Oxford and has worked on issues related to food security, agriculture and rural development for over 30 years. She has authored ten books... [ View ] |
Krishan Prasad TimsinaExecutive Director, Nepal Agricultural Research Council
Dr. Krishna Prasad Timsina is currently the Executive Director of the Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC), Nepal. He completed his Ph.D. in Agribusiness Management at the Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand, in 2015. His research interests span farm business analysis, value chain, agricultural policy analysis, behavioral economics, agri-food system transformation, climate... [ View ] |
Maximo Torero CullenChief Economist, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Mr. Maximo Torero Cullen is the Chief Economist of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). He joined the organization in January 2019 as Assistant Director-General for the Economic and Social Development Department. Prior to joining FAO, he served as the World Bank Group Executive Director for... [ View ] |
Daniela VegaChief of Staff, CIMMYT
Daniela Vega is the Chief of Staff to the Director General of CIMMYT, where she contributes to the development and implementation of CIMMYT's global strategy for 2030. Her work focuses on designing innovative solutions for complex problems, strategic management, developing sustainable alliances with governments, the private sector and civil society... [ View ] |
Víctor Manuel Villalobos ArámbulaMember, World Food Prize Foundation Council of Advisors
Dr. Victor Villalobos Arambula holds a Master of Science in Agricultural Engineering from Mexico’s National School of Agriculture (ENA) and a Master of Science in Agricultural Engineering from Chapingo Postgraduate College, Mexico, and a PhD in Plant Morphogenesis from the University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Dr. Villalobos has worked in academia... [ View ] |
Archna VyasDirector, Program Advocacy and Communications: Growth, Opportunity and Empowerment, Gates Foundation
Archna Vyas oversees advocacy and communications for two foundation divisions: Global Growth & Opportunity and Gender Equality. Her work advances the goals of the foundation and its partners in areas such as financial inclusion, agricultural productivity, urban sanitation, nutrition, global education, women’s economic empowerment and women in leadership. Archna joined the... [ View ] |
Usha Barwale ZehrChairperson and Executive Director, Grow Indigo
Dr. Usha Barwale Zehr leads M/s. Grow Indigo Private Limited, a joint venture between Mahyco Grow and Indigo Ag, USA, as Chairperson and Executive Director. Grow Indigo is pioneering sustainable agriculture in India by promoting regenerative practices including carbon farming, biological crop care and digital agriculture. An alumna of the University... [ View ] |
