Dr. U. S. Awasthi

About: Dr. US Awasthi pursued a degree in Chemical Engineering between the years 1963-1967, from Banaras Hindu University. He then went on to work with Shriram Chemical Industries in Kota in the year 1967. Later in the year 1971, he joined Zuari Agro-Chemicals Ltd., Goa following which he worked at key positions in IFFCO & KRIBHCO, involving the construction of Hazira and Aonla projects, in between 1976-1986. In the year 1986, Awasthi joined Pyrites, Phosphates & Chemical Limited (PPCL) as its Managing Director and Chairman. He also headed Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers Ltd. (RCF) as its Chairman and Managing Director from April 1991-March 1992. Thereafter, he served as the Chairman of Fertiliser Association of India (FAI), New Delhi during 1994-96. Post that, he was the President of International Fertiliser Industry Association (IFA), Paris from 1997 to 1999. Dr. US Awasthi joined IFFCO as its Managing Director on February 1, 1993. He has completed twenty-five years of service as IFFCO MD. During Dr. Awasthi’s tenure at IFFCO, the production of fertilizers has grown from 24 lakh tonnes to 86.5 lakh tonnes, and the fertilizer marketing has mounted to one crore and thirty lakh tons. The conceptualization of Oman India Fertiliser Company (OMIFCO), a proposal made by Dr. Awasthi himself, helped the Indian Government save Rs. 23000 crore in Oman, with regards to import. He has also been instrumental in the diversification of IFFCO into seventeen significant subsidiaries across the globe. Dr. US Awasthi’s blog provides glimpses of such significant initiatives he has played a pivotal role in. Besides fulfilling his role as IFFCO MD, Dr. US Awasthi is also a Director at: - IFFCO-TOKIO General Insurance Company Limited Indian Potash Limited Kisan International Trading FZE

BOOK

Name: The Joys of Crisis

Description:

The phenomenal successes and achievements of IFFCO, the world’s largest farm and fertilizer cooperative, are attributable to two factors—one, its ability to stay way ahead of both its competitors as well as the market, and two, its managing director Udai Shanker Awasthi.

Conceived in 1967 to streamline the fertilizer industry, IFFCO’s cooperative movement has empowered Indian farmers and made the country self-reliant in food grain production. From establishing state-ofthe- art fertilizer plants to creating numerous revolutionary nano-technology-based products, IFFCO has constantly nurtured India’s farm sector. Its recent nano innovations are bound to not only change the face of agriculture throughout the world but also mitigate climate changes and soil damage.

IFFCO’s nano products were the brainchild of Awasthi, who has led IFFCO for three decades. It is this continuity that has helped him plan ahead and ensure the company’s rapid growth and diversification. Turning every crisis into a joyous experience has been his motto throughout his professional life. Even though he served under nine different prime ministers and thirty-six ministers—much of this over a period when IFFCO was, for all practical purposes, a governmentowned organization—he never allowed the cross-currents of India’s politics to dent his abiding love for the nation, unwavering loyalty to Indian farmers and unwavering loyalty to IFFCO and the men and women who are associated with it.

Awasthi’s ability to put the needs of the organization before everything else has enabled IFFCO to realize PM Modi’s dream of Atmanirbhar Bharat, while also enhancing India’s position as a knowledge superpower, a vishwaguru.