Dr. Vishnuvardhan Devela Naik, Director of the National Turmeric Board, Government of India, is a distinguished agribusiness leader, agricultural scientist, and entrepreneur whose career spans nearly three decades. With more than 29 years of experience across agribusiness, farming, food processing, retail, exports, and supply chain management, he has played a pivotal role in advancing India’s agricultural sector through innovation, technology, and farmer-centric initiatives.
An alumnus of the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru, he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture before pursuing a Master’s degree and Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from the National Agricultural University, Bangi, Malaysia. His contributions to agricultural innovation and the food industry earned him an Honorary Doctorate from Washington University, USA, in recognition of his work in promoting turmeric-based products and strengthening immunity during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Throughout his career, he has successfully combined scientific research with entrepreneurial leadership. As the founder and managing director of multiple enterprises—including Carica Retail Pvt. Ltd., Plannbiz Consulting Pvt. Ltd., Fampro Agribusiness Pvt. Ltd., Roots and Shoots Pvt. Ltd., and Carica Foods—he has consistently focused on developing sustainable business models that strengthen agricultural value chains while creating market opportunities for farmers.
Beyond entrepreneurship, he continues to serve in several influential advisory and leadership roles. He is the Alumni Vice President of the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru, President of the Karnataka Industrial Entrepreneurs Welfare Association, Technical Advisor to NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, and serves on advisory bodies including HOPCOMS, FICCI, and the Karnataka Producers Marketing Association. He also serves as the National Coordinator for Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs).
A passionate advocate for farmer empowerment, he has been closely associated with the Government of India’s mission of doubling farmers’ income. He has actively promoted the formation of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) across the country, educating rural communities on collective farming models that improve market access, reduce production costs, and enhance profitability. His efforts have encouraged farmers to adopt commercial cultivation of turmeric and other high-value crops to improve agricultural incomes.
His expertise extends beyond policy into global agribusiness. Having travelled to 41 countries, he has promoted Indian agricultural products in international markets while contributing significantly to export development. His research on turmeric, particularly its curcumin content and health benefits, has supported the growing global demand for Indian turmeric in markets such as the United States and Canada.
Before assuming his current responsibilities, he held several senior leadership positions in the retail and food processing sectors. As Managing Director of Wadhawan Food Retail, he oversaw a nationwide network of more than 290 supermarkets, developed large-scale supply chain infrastructure, and established advanced warehousing facilities. He is also credited with conceptualizing the highly successful “Green Wednesday” retail initiative, a marketing model for fruits and vegetables that has since been widely adopted across India’s organized retail sector.
Widely respected for his strategic vision, decisive leadership, and commitment to innovation, he continues to champion sustainable agriculture, food processing, and rural entrepreneurship. His contributions have strengthened India’s agribusiness ecosystem while creating lasting opportunities for farmers, entrepreneurs, and the food industry. Through scientific expertise, policy engagement, and entrepreneurial excellence, Dr. Vishnuvardhan Devela Naik continues to play a significant role in shaping the future of Indian agriculture on both national and global platforms.
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