Sanjay Agarwal (IAS) brings an illustrious educational background, exemplary government service, and visionary leadership to the table as Assistant Director General at ICRISAT. He also serves as the Chairman of the National Committee on Minimum Support Price, Crop Diversification, and Natural Farming, a role appointed by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India. He is also on the Board of the International Potato Centre (CIP), Peru, a notable CGIAR institution.
Sanjay Agarwal is a distinguished alumnus of the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, and graduated with top honors. He is a 1984-batch Indian Administrative Service officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre. His tenure spanned over 37 years, during which he played pivotal roles in shaping public policy, program implementation, and effective governance. He retired as the Secretary to the Government of India.
As Secretary of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare, Government of India, Sanjay Agarwal led transformative initiatives that elevated agricultural practices and farmer incomes. Notable achievement is championing new schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi income support scheme, the Agricultural Infrastructure Fund (AIF), Scheme for promotion of 10000 Farmers Producers Organisations, Oil Palm Mission and National Bee keeping & Honey Mission aimed at enhancing farmers' income. He drove the proposal for declaration of 2023 as International Year of Millets by UN General Assembly.
Sanjay Agarwal's commitment to technological advancements in agriculture led to significant achievements, including the facilitative ecosystem for Gene editing in Indis and permitting the commercialization of Nano-Urea. His innovative efforts extended to promoting digital solutions, introducing drones in agricultural operations, and enhancing crop insurance through remote sensing.
His transformative leadership also extended to improving education systems, power sector reform, health and family welfare initiatives, and empowering handicraft artisans.