Mussoorie: The 1998 batch IAS officer of Kerala cadre, Dr. B Ashok, Principal Secretary for Agriculture and Agricultural Production Commissioner, Kerala, has been awarded the best policy paper prize at the 16th Round of Mid-Career Training Programme Phase-V held at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie, from April 7 to 25, 2025.
Dr. Ashok’s paper titled “Harnessing India’s Agri-Processing & Value Addition Sector” was chosen as the best among those submitted by 40 senior civil servants, each with 26-28 years of service. The paper explored the potential of India’s agriculture sector, particularly focusing on agri-processing and value addition, areas that have been identified as crucial for the country’s agricultural growth and economic development.
The participants were tasked with presenting a 2500-word write-up on a topic of their choice, with one key condition: no tables or figures were allowed, which tested both subject knowledge and communication skills. Dr. Ashok’s paper presented an in-depth analysis of India’s agricultural processing industry, beginning with the sector’s status, its turnover, export performance, and employment generation.
Dr. Ashok highlighted the disparities in processing levels between India and other global agricultural leaders. He pointed out that in America, over 80% of agricultural produce is processed, and in the European Union, it’s 70%. In contrast, India processes only about 10% of its agricultural produce. Particularly concerning was the low level of processing in perishable goods such as fruits and vegetables, where India ranks second in production but 18th in processing.
His policy paper presented strategies to improve India’s agri-processing sector and enhance its contribution to the economy by addressing existing gaps and creating sustainable models for growth.
This prestigious award recognizes Dr. Ashok’s significant contributions to agriculture and policy, further highlighting his expertise in transforming the sector.
