Mumbai, January 8, 2021: India Pulses and Grains Association (IPGA), the nodal body for India’s pulses trade and industry has announced an Advisory Committee with stalwarts from the agriculture sector of India to further enhance its standing as India’s leading think tank and knowledge hub on the pulses and grains industry.
The Advisory Committee will essentially play the role of guide, mentor, and advisor to the IPGA Management. The objective behind setting up this five-member committee is to help the IPGA Management gain further insights and understanding into the pulses sector, provide better support to its stakeholders, and provide more informed, nuanced, and effective policy inputs and recommendations to the government.
The Advisory Committee comprises of the following members:
· Mr Ashish Bahuguna – Public Interest Director, Board of National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange Ltd.; Former Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India; Former Chairperson, Food Safety & Standards Authority of India
· Dr Jeet Singh Sandhu – renowned agricultural scientist and Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, Sri Karan Narendra Agriculture University, Jobner Jaipur, Rajasthan
· Dr Narendra Pratap Singh – Director of Indian Institute of Pulses Research (IIPR), Kanpur and President, Indian Society of Pulses Research and Development, IIPR
· Mr Yogesh Thorat – Managing Director, MAHA Farmers Producers Company Ltd. (MAHAFPC).
· Ms Aashish Kasad – Chartered Accountant and Partner with a Big4, Indian Tax and Regulations Expert, Former Lead Partner to Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Govt. of India
Mr. Jitu Bheda, Chairman, IPGA speaking at the inaugural meeting of the IPGA Advisory Committee, said, “It is our pleasure to announce that IPGA now has an Advisory Committee with industry domain experts. It is indeed an honour to have the advisory committee members as part of IPGA. While extending warm welcome to them, we look forward to their guidance and meaningful interactions to craft a collaborative path forward with our key stakeholders.”
Mr Bimal Kothari, Vice President, IPGA, said, “With the vast experience and domain expertise of our Advisory Committee, we are sure that we will take IPGA into a different league in the next few years. We look forward to the guidance of these distinguished experts in helping our stakeholders make their businesses more sustainable, improving our interaction with the government over policymaking, and addressing long term issues of the sector through policy recommendations.”
Members of the Advisory Committee also expressed their pleasure to join hands with IPGA.
Mr Ashish Bahuguna said, “It is important that together, we figure out the issues in each and every process in the sector. To get more focus on what we are trying to push through, we must break it down to the detail. As an association, then we will be able to convey better what we want the government or our stakeholders to do.”
Dr Jeet Singh Sandhu said, “The markets are largely fine, and prices are also improving, but we have a lot to do in the technology area. Also, we do have great success stories in terms of certain pulses production growth, which need to be highlighted. I think at IPGA we can take up these and many other things, and I am looking forward to taking these up on the Committee’s agenda.”
Dr Narendra Pratap Singh said, “With the new farm bills, there is going to be better flow of technology, new players will join in, and they will help in improving conditions in the sector. IPGA can certainly play a role in supporting its stakeholders through these changes and I am happy to be a part of the Advisory Committee which will be guiding it.”
Mr Yogesh Thorat said, “I am thankful to IPGA for representing farmers on the Advisory Committee. It is a proud moment for the farmers’, producers’ organizations as well. IPGA has CSR initiatives as well as a good member base, then I think if there are opportunities of partnership or joint ventures or integrated value chain development, then that is one of the areas wherein IPGA can take lead.”
Ms Aashish Kasad said, “There is so much IPGA can do in terms of demand creation and demand fulfilment. We can do a lot in the areas of processing, innovation, R&D boost to nutrition via pulses – IPGA can tie back with companies who are operating in these areas, as well as push government to give better incentives and facilities for these things, especially innovation and R&D.”
Mr Pravin Dongre, Founder-Director, IPGA summing up the meeting, said, “With the new agricultural reforms enacted in 2020, we are looking towards the new Advisory Committee to throw some light on the emerging landscape and changes which will be ushered by them. The insights gained from the wisdom and experience of the Committee will certainly help us advise and support our members and stakeholders in navigating these reforms, which if implemented well, can make agriculture a major contributor to India’s GDP and growth.”
About IPGA:
India Pulses and Grains Association (IPGA), the nodal body for pulses and grains trade and industry in India has over 400 direct and indirect members which include individuals, corporates as well as Regional Pulses Traders and Processors Associations taking its pan-India reach to over 10,000 stake holders involved in the farming, processing, warehousing and import business of pulses across the entire value chain.
IPGA’s vision is to make Indian pulses and grains industry and trade globally competitive; and in so doing, help advance India’s food and nutrition security. IPGA takes the onus of essaying a leadership role in the domestic agri-business and play a more proactive role in the global domain to foster healthy relations among Indian market participants and between India and all associates overseas.
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