Dr. Udai Shankar Awasthi, Managing Director of the Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO), has been awarded the 2024 Rochdale Pioneers Award by the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA). He is the second Indian to receive this honor, following the late Dr. Verghese Kurien, who was recognized in 2001. This award, the ICA’s highest honor, celebrates individuals or cooperative organizations that have contributed to innovative and financially sustainable cooperative activities.
The award was presented by ICA President Ariel Guarco during a special ceremony at the ICA Global Conference in New Delhi on Tuesday, recognizing Dr. Awasthi’s contributions to cooperative growth and innovation in India. IFFCO Ltd. is hosting the ICA General Assembly and Global Cooperative Conference 2024 in partnership with the International Cooperative Alliance and the Union Ministry of Cooperation. The event, held at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi, will conclude on November 30, 2024.
A chemical engineer, Dr. Awasthi joined IFFCO in 1976. Under his leadership, the cooperative increased its production capacity by 292% and net worth by 688%. He has led IFFCO into various business spheres, diversified its operations, and successfully developed indigenous Nano Fertilisers for Indian farmers.
Dr. Awasthi expressed his gratitude upon receiving the honor, saying, “I am humbled and honored to receive this prestigious ICA award. This award embodies Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of ‘Sahkar se Samriddhi’ and highlights IFFCO’s exceptional efforts under the guidance and dynamic leadership of the Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah. We remain dedicated to advancing their vision of elevating India’s cooperative movement on the global stage. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the ICA and the global cooperative fraternity for this recognition, which inspires us to uphold and advance the cooperative spirit globally.”
Dr. Awasthi further stated, “IFFCO has championed sustainable agriculture through Nano fertilizers like Nano DAP and Nano Urea Liquid, transforming farming practices and meeting the demand for eco-friendly solutions. These innovations have improved soil health, boosted farmer profitability, and promoted environmentally responsible farming.” IFFCO is being approached by other countries also for the supply of Nano Fertilisers and planning to export the Nano fertiliser to 25 more countries in the upcoming future.
IFFCO has achieved notable operational success, producing 44 lakh bottles of Nano DAP Liquid and selling over 2.04 crore bottles of Nano Urea Liquid. The cooperative has conducted 80,000 field demonstrations and trained over 80,000 farmers and 1,500 rural entrepreneurs. Total fertilizer production has reached 88.95 lakh tons, including 48.85 lakh tons of urea and 40.10 lakh tons of NPK, DAP, WSF, and specialty fertilizers. Domestic and international sales totaled 112.26 lakh tons, further advancing the use of organic and chemical fertilizers.