Kumar Vibhanshu
New Delhi
Summary
Results-driven Change Maker and Agri-tech enthusiast, possessing 11 years of experience in private and public sectors, has equipped me with a deep understanding of agriculture technologies and the complexities of the stakeholder ecosystem. I have successfully led medium to large-scale projects, shaping public policy, building high-performing teams, and fostering international multistakeholder collaborations.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Policy Fellow
United States Agency for International Development-DAI Global-LEAD
2023.01 - 2024.01
- To conduct policy research at the interface of digitalization of small holding farmers and Non-farm Nano-enterprises
- Developed research framework and theories of change by applying Technology Acceptance Model to understand farmer’s behavioral intention for adopting technology and establishing agenda points for policy recommendations to strengthen and digitalizing agricultural ecosystem
- Analyzing the gap of financial products in current practices including upgradation of post-harvest practices with e-commerce platforms
- Designing project framework and managing stakeholders from Government, Industry, Academia, CSOs and Ag-tech Startups.
Director (Strategy & Partnership)
Vaidik Ecosystems Pvt. Ltd
2021.07 - 2022.12
- Designed and structured innovative initiative in building systems to improve smallholder farmers’ productivity and access to markets through local food supply chains, other institutional markets, domestic and international trade
- Partnered with philanthropic foundations, NGOs and startups to assist Senior Bureaucrats to implement ambitious initiatives of government; One District One Product (ODOP) and District as Export Hub (DEH)
- Value chain analysis of all selected agricultural and horticultural crops under ODOP and DEH Program and linking it with modern agriculture techniques for doubling the farmer’s income
- Published articles and presented in international forums, establishing thought leadership and suggested recommendations to policy makers
- Implementing best use case of IoT in agriculture, knowledge management, MLE activities and interacting with stakeholders for project by identifying potential areas in developing Smart Agriculture.
Senior Consultant
PricewaterhouseCoopers Private Limited (PwC India)
2018.12 - 2021.07
- Sketched policy guidelines and SOPs to establish “Innovative Agriculture-Center of Excellences” in PPP model with Intel, Siemens, Dassault, Schneider, Hexagon, MathWorks to promote INDUSTRY 4.0 in Agriculture
- Established CoEs to impart skills like AI, Robotics, Deep learning, Machine Learning, Precision farming etc
- To smallholding farmers in partnership with Technology and Ag-tech Startups
- Ideated and implemented Rural Business Incubator to promote circular systems with state governments by developing small food processing units at farm level in Uttarakhand
- Conceptualized Rural Entrepreneurship Development Program (USD 25 Mn) of International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to provide enterprise development training to small holding farmers.
Management Consultant
Ernst & Young LLP
2017.04 - 2018.12
- Drafted Startup & Incubation policy for Government with extensive primary research and stakeholder engagement and created a network of 20+ Incubation centers and 400+ Startups
- Worked directly with ag-tech startups to scale their businesses, developed Go-to-Market strategy and analyzing its impact at farm level
- Outlined framework, strategies (DPRs) and stakeholder management for establishing food processing clusters with financial assistance under SAMPADA Yojna in Madhya Pradesh
- Partnered with INGOs, startups and institutions for capacity building of farmers on technological advancements of on-farm production practices for plant growth and plant protection to improve soil health
- Facilitated adoption of technologies for an efficient agricultural marketing to benefit small and marginal farmers and promotion of Farm to Fork model
- Assisted EY at Business Sessions/ Interactions with Innovate UK, Agritech Venture Day 2017 (NIA) at London
- Managed funds/grants and execution of large and complex projects, including resource, stakeholders, deliverables, timeline and billing while maintaining the quality of delivery and profitability.
Senior Associate, Social Transformation
TARU Leading Edge Private Limited
2014.08 - 2017.04
- Provided strategic, pragmatic and substantial advisory services to various departments and institutions like BMGF, CCF, World Bank, ADB, JICA etc., on agriculture and rural livelihoods initiatives
- Analysed, implemented and monitored new developments, innovations, and trends in Regenerative Agriculture by parterning with scientists and agricultural extension managers
- Developed ambitious investment and partnerships that support regenerative agriculture approach in key areas, including sustainable farming, food technology, soil management etc
- Supported leadership team in internal processes such as budget management, business plan, board reporting, and communications.
Young Professional, Sustainable Agriculture & Livelihoods
Government of Andhra Pradesh
2013.04 - 2014.08
- Engaged as an management consultant in Andhra Pradesh Rural Inclusive Growth Project funded by The World Bank with special focus on doubling the farmer’s income by sustainable agriculture practices, entrepreneurship, skill development and developing farm & non-farm livelihood options
- Advocacy for adopting strategies like 36
- 36 model farming technique, rainfed sustainable agriculture model and organic farming for attaining objectives of community managed sustainable
- Strategized to promote women led enterprises entrepreneurship among SHGs and scaled up Farm and Non-Farm initiatives Planning, execution and monitoring of initiatives undertaken for the community based sustainalbe agriculture.
Education
Fellowship -
USAID-SARDI India MSME Tech Policy Fellowship
01.2024
MBA -
Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM)
03.2013
Bachelor of Science (Hons.) in Agriculture -
Allahabad Agricultural Institute-Deemed University
04.2011
Skills
- Strategic Planning
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Program Management
- Problem Solving
- Financial Modeling
- Cross-functional Collaboration
- Communication Skills & Capacity Building
Accomplishments
- Received “Letter of Appreciation” from Government and Private Sector clients for promotion of technology in Agriculture Practices.
- Awarded with Flexible Champion by PwC India for outstanding team management as a team player.
- Honoured as jury member for Global Agri-Entrepreneur Awards – 2021 by Entrepreneurs’ Organization.
- Nominated in GRID Innovation Challenge at PwC for the idea - Development Impact Market-Place Investment/Exchange – Impact Kosh
- Honored as jury member - Startup Yatra (organized by Government of India).
- Honored by Association of Agriculture and Food Processing Industries of Madhya Pradesh, for the excellence and services provided for strengthening the MSME, Startup and incubation ecosystem in Madhya Pradesh.
- Participated in Agri-Food Park Development Programme organized by NIESBUD.
- Nominated to participate in 5 days workshop on development of project implementation plan and value chain development and export promotion of agricultural commodities organized by the World Bank.
Timeline
Policy Fellow
United States Agency for International Development-DAI Global-LEAD
2023.01 - 2024.01
Director (Strategy & Partnership)
Vaidik Ecosystems Pvt. Ltd
2021.07 - 2022.12
Senior Consultant
PricewaterhouseCoopers Private Limited (PwC India)
2018.12 - 2021.07
Management Consultant
Ernst & Young LLP
2017.04 - 2018.12
Senior Associate, Social Transformation
TARU Leading Edge Private Limited
2014.08 - 2017.04
Young Professional, Sustainable Agriculture & Livelihoods
Government of Andhra Pradesh
2013.04 - 2014.08
Fellowship -
USAID-SARDI India MSME Tech Policy Fellowship
MBA -
Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM)
Bachelor of Science (Hons.) in Agriculture -
Allahabad Agricultural Institute-Deemed University
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