Sunil Kataria Takes Charge as CEO & MD of Godrej Agrovet: A Leadership Shift with National Implications

Sunil Kataria has officially taken charge as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director (MD) of Godrej Agrovet Limited (GAVL), effective September 1, 2025, for a five-year tenure. The announcement, made public on September 2, marks an important leadership transition for the company, which operates across animal feed, crop protection, dairy, poultry, and agri-inputs.

Kataria succeeds Balram Singh Yadav, who had been at the helm of Godrej Agrovet for over a decade and was instrumental in scaling its diversified agri-business portfolio. With Kataria stepping in, the company is expected to strengthen its growth strategies in sustainable agriculture, technology adoption, and rural market expansion.

One of India's top integrated agribusiness firms, Godrej Agrovet is a part of the century-old Godrej Group and has a stronghold in animal feed, crop protection, dairy, poultry, palm oil plantations, and agri-inputs. It has established a reputation over time for integrating innovation with farmer-centred solutions, promoting sustainable farming methods and productivity growth. Given that rural India accounts for a significant proportion of the national economy, the business directly influences livelihoods and ensures food security.

Kataria is no stranger to the Godrej family. A seasoned business leader, he previously served in top roles at Godrej Consumer Products Ltd (GCPL), where he steered domestic and international businesses across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Known for his expertise in consumer strategy, rural outreach, and building large-scale growth models, Kataria is expected to bring a fresh vision to Godrej Agrovet blending consumer insights with agri-innovation to better serve India’s farmers and food supply chains.

Prior to this role, Kataria held senior leadership positions within the Godrej Group, particularly at Godrej Consumer Products Ltd (GCPL), where he played a key role in driving growth across domestic and international markets. His extensive experience in consumer-facing businesses and rural distribution is expected to complement Godrej Agrovet’s mission of improving farmer productivity while building a strong innovation-led model in food and agribusiness.

Agriculture remains the backbone of the Indian economy, employing nearly 40% of the workforce and contributing about 18% to the GDP. With Kataria at the helm, Godrej Agrovet’s renewed push for innovation, rural development, and sustainable farming could trigger multiplier effects across sectors from food security and rural incomes to export competitiveness and supply chain modernization. For India Inc., the appointment symbolizes a strategic shift: legacy companies are increasingly relying on leaders who combine traditional industry knowledge with a forward-looking, innovation-first mindset.

The relationship between artificial intelligence (AI) and agriculture is what makes this leadership shift even more pertinent today. Predictive supply chain management, smart irrigation, AI-driven crop analytics, and precision agriculture are revolutionizing the industry. Under Kataria's direction, experts think Godrej Agrovet could expand its collaborations with agri-tech start ups, AI-powered farm monitoring systems, and big data-supported productivity and sustainability solutions. Kataria's vision could close the gap between rural and urban areas, equip smallholder farmers with artificial intelligence (AI) tools, and make agriculture more profitable and ecologically sustainable by integrating Godrej Agrovet with India's digital transformation process. 

The announcement has already drawn strong reactions from industry voices. Ramesh Chand, Member of NITI Aayog, remarked that “Kataria’s appointment is timely as India’s agriculture is on the verge of a technology revolution. A leader who understands both rural realities and innovation is what the sector needs.” Devika Singh, CEO of an agri-tech start up in Bengaluru, added that “A legacy player like Godrej Agrovet embracing AI under Kataria’s leadership will push collaborations between corporates and start ups, creating a more vibrant agri-tech ecosystem.” Meanwhile, Sanjiv Mehta, former FMCG industry veteran, observed that “Kataria’s consumer background will help him bring a farmer-first but tech-enabled approach, which can redefine how India Inc. engages with agriculture.”

At a time when India is striving to balance food security, sustainability, and economic growth, Kataria’s appointment represents both continuity and change. It is continuity in Godrej’s long-standing commitment to agriculture and change in terms of adopting AI-powered innovation for the next era of growth. For the Indian economy, this leadership move could serve as a catalyst for rural transformation, corporate innovation, and India’s broader positioning as a global agri-tech hub.

This leadership change signals the company’s intent to not only consolidate its traditional strengths but also embrace new opportunities in digital farming and agri-tech collaborations, aligning with India’s broader agricultural modernization goals.

TL;DR

Sunil Kataria has taken over as CEO & MD of Godrej Agrovet, marking a major leadership transition in India’s agri-business sector. With his consumer and rural market expertise, Kataria is expected to drive innovation, strengthen farmer-centric strategies, and integrate AI into agriculture. Industry leaders say this move could accelerate rural transformation, boost India Inc.’s agri-tech collaborations, and position India as a global hub for sustainable, technology-driven farming.