The Indian Chamber of Food and Agriculture (ICFA) has appointed former Union Minister Suresh Prabhu as its new Chairman. Mr. Prabhu, a board member of the World Agriculture Forum (WAF) and the former Union Minister for Commerce & Industry, was nominated by the newly formed 24-member ICFA Board.
Under Mr. Prabhu’s leadership, India’s first Agri Exports Policy was launched in 2018, leading to a remarkable increase in agricultural exports, from 15 million MT in 2018 to 38 million MT in 2022. His focus on collaborating with stakeholders across the agricultural value chain has strengthened India’s food system and will further promote a sustainable ecosystem for farmers and the wider industry.
Dr. M J Khan, the outgoing Chairman, praised Mr. Prabhu’s global expertise, highlighting his contributions to various UN bodies and his role as India’s Sherpa for G-7 and G-20 summits. He expressed confidence that Mr. Prabhu would help ICFA expand its global footprint by fostering collaborations and partnerships that promote agrotrade, technology, and investment in agriculture.
In his acceptance speech, Mr. Prabhu said, “I am truly honoured to serve as Chairman of ICFA. By embracing innovation, fostering collaboration, and implementing policies that benefit farmers and the entire agricultural value chain, I believe we can elevate India as a global leader in agriculture and food security. I look forward to working with all stakeholders to achieve this vision.“
The new leadership team at ICFA also includes Dr. Tarun Shridhar (Former Union Secretary, and 1984-batch retired IAS officer) as Director General, Dr. Ashok Dalwai (Chairman, PM Task Force on DFI, and 1984-batch retired IAS officer) as Co-chair, Dr. Meenesh Shah (Chairman, NDDB), and Mr. Simon Wiebusch (MD, Bayer Crop Science) as Vice Chairs, who will guide the organization toward new achievements.
