CITA's Initiation

Many prominent public personalities and eminent professionals came together under the leadership of visionary Shri. Sharad Pawar to address the challenges of globalized marketing of agricultural produce in WTO regime. These personalities identified the needs of post WTO era for development of agri trade and agribusiness. Thereafter CITA (center for International Trade in Agriculture and agro-based industries) was set up to cater to the core needs of agri-business. Initially established in 2000, as an initiative of Yashwantrao Chavan Pratishtan, Mumbai, CITA is now a section 25 company registered on 25 th March, 2004 under the Companies Act 1956.

Our Mission

Empower farmers and stakeholders for 21 st Century agribusiness through various programmes. Also advise the State / Central Governments on the agriculture development through trade and agribusiness policies and programs.

Our Objectives

  • To provide exposure to and get feedback from farming community, their associations and agro-based industries in technological developments, innovations and trends in agribusiness in the globalised economy, so as to ensure sustained agricultural growth through agribusiness.
  • To interact with State / Central Government and other policy making bodies in respect of agriculture policies and programs so as to convert them as engines of inclusive growth through agribusiness.
  • To print, publish, sell or distribute periodicals, bulletins, reports.
  • To conduct the support studies, action research and capacity building projects on issues relevant to agribusiness.
  • To take up extension in agribusiness through ICT and through networking of various government and non government agencies.

What We Do

  • Action oriented research and collections of data and information from various sources from within as well as outside the country.
  • Capacity building of stakeholders through innovative programs and organizing seminars, conferences on various issues related to agribusiness directly or in joint venture.
  • Publish periodicals / newsletters regarding issues and developments in latest agri technologies, innovations and agribusiness.
  • Liaise with Government of India, State Governments and with WTO Secretariat, other international organisations, aid agencies and NGOs working in the field of agriculture.
  • Preparation of training material in print as well as in audio visual format for dissemination amongst farming community.

Our Achievements

  • CITA has participated in almost all areas of agri policy making process in the Central Govt.
  • It has been conducting good number of capacity building programs, especially in the areas of agriculture of marketing, commodity future trading, agriculture exporters etc.
  • CITA has entered into a contract with UNCTAD-India for capacity building. Pro poor export development activities for potential commodities like Flowers, Medicinal plants, Kesar mangoes, Cashewnuts, Spices etc. are taken up. A unique approach of audio-visual documentation of marketing and value addition by tribal mango growers with special reference to mandi practices is attempted as part of development of roadmap for Kesar mango.
  • Sharad Krishi , a multi-lingual magazine dedicated to modern agribusiness is published since January 2005 in Marathi, Hindi and Kannada. It has been received very well by the farmers and other stakeholders. Sharad Krishi is a National Magazine. It has received two National Awards.
  • CITA has to its credit research reports on World trade in; Poultry, Egg & Egg products, Dairy, Wine, Raisins, Sugar, Apples, Fresh Grapes, Edible Oil, Mangoes, Organic foods & Cotton.
  • Contribution in quarantine policy, especially for Grapes, Apples and other fresh produce.
  • Skill building for agricultural production, productivity and agri based services like agri tourism, eco conservation etc.

How Do We Work

CITA , a not for profit company, registered under Section 25 of the Companies Act, is managed by its board of directors, headed by Mrs. Anuradha J. Desai, Chairperson, Venkateshwara Hatcheries Group. Other members of the Board of Directors are; Shri. Shivajirao Patil, a veteran cooperator from Maharashtra , Shri. Mithalal Mehta, Ex Vice President, Rajasthan Livelihood Mission and Ex Chief Secretary, Rajasthan, Padmashree Dr. M.Mahadevappa, a renowned agri scientist from Karnataka, Shri. Shankerlal Guru, doyen of agriculture marketing and recipient of National Award in Agriculture Marketing from Gujarat, Smt. Supriya Sule, a dynamic force for women’s empowerment and Member of Parliament from Maharashtra, Smt. Rajshree Pathy, the renowned industrialist heading Rajshree Group of Industries in Tamilnadu, Shri. Prafulla Samal, a veteran in agri marketing and social development and Member of the Cabinet of Orissa looking after important portfolios of Panchayati Raj, Information and Public Relations, Shri. Deepak Jain, an industrialist from dairy sector, Shri. Vinay Kumar, an authority in sugar industry who is the Managing Director of National Federation of Co-operative Sugar Factories and Dr. B.D. Pawar, Ex Director of Agriculture Marketing, Maharashtra and recipient of National Award in Agriculture Marketing.

Leadership Team

Founder & Chief Mentor

 

Sharad Pawar

Union Minister for Agri. Food & Consumer Affairs

 

Chairperson

 

Anuradha J. Desai

Chairperson, VH Group

 

Board of Directors

 

Shivajirao Patil

Supriya Sule

Mithalal Mehta

M.Mahadevappa

Rajshree Pathy

Shankerlal Guru

Prafulla Samal

Deepak Jain

Vinay Kurnar

B. D. Pawar

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

Pradip Patil

Working Team

Dr. B. D. Pawar has been working as full time Director of CITA since 2004 without any honorarium, salary or financial benefits. The professional team of CITA functions under his day to day guidance and supervision. Chief Executive Officer, Shri. Pradip Patil, an agribusiness professional committed to institutional building, leads the team of experts and professionals. With more than twelve years of service in the Department of Agriculture, Maharashtra State as a Technical Officer, he has a rich experience in agricultural extension management and programme monitoring. Dr. Mahendra Madhup, recipient of ‘Atmaram’ Award & ‘Chaudhari Charan Singh’ Award is a seasoned professional in agri rural journalism. He has anchored around 3000 Doordarshan programs on agriculture. Shri.M.K.Venugopal, an agricultural extension professional is former Deputy Director of Agriculture from Karnataka. He has also served the print and visual media for E TV and Annadata Magazine of Eenadu Group, Hyderabad . Other members of the team are in the areas of editing the magazine, circulation, coordination of various orientation programs and institutional tie-ups. Many experts and professionals from agribusiness and socio-economic-techno-commercial sectors have been associated with CITA as honorary resources persons.