Dr Awasthi, the managing director of the Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO), has become the second Indian to receive the prestigious Rochdale Pioneers Award from the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), following in the footsteps of Dr Verghese Kurien, who received the award in 2001.

The Rochdale Pioneers Award, established in 2000, is the highest honour bestowed by the ICA. It recognizes individuals or, in special cases, cooperative organizations that have made significant contributions to innovative and financially sustainable cooperative activities, benefiting their membership in the spirit of the Rochdale Pioneers.

Dr Awasthi, a chemical engineer who joined IFFCO in 1976, has led the cooperative to remarkable achievements. Under his guidance, IFFCO's production capacity surged by 292% and its net worth by 688%. His leadership has also seen IFFCO diversify its business and develop nano fertilizers, such as Nano DAP and Nano Urea Liquid, which have transformed farming practices in India.

The award was presented to Dr Awasthi by ICA president Ariel Guarco during a special ceremony at the ICA Global Conference in New Delhi on 25 November. IFFCO is hosting the ICA General Assembly and Global Cooperative Conference 2024 in partnership with the International Cooperative Alliance and the Union Ministry of Cooperation, with the event concluding on 30th November 2024.

In his acceptance speech, Dr Awasthi expressed his gratitude, stating, “I am humbled and honored to receive this prestigious award of ICA. This award embodies the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of “Sahkar se Samriddhi” and highlights IFFCO’s exceptional efforts under the guidance & 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.”

Dr Awasthi also highlighted IFFCO's achievements in sustainable agriculture, noting that the cooperative's nano fertilizers have addressed logistical challenges, reduced import dependence, and improved soil health, farmer profitability, and environmental sustainability. IFFCO's innovations have been widely accepted by farmers across India and neighboring countries, with plans to export nano fertilizers to 25 more foreign countries in the near future.

IFFCO's operational success is evident in its production of 44 lakh bottles of Nano DAP Liquid and over 2.04 crore bottles of Nano Urea Liquid. The cooperative has conducted 80,000 field demonstrations, training over 80,000 farmers and 1,500 rural entrepreneurs. Total fertilizer production reached 88.95 lakh tons, including 48.85 lakh tons of urea and 40.10 lakh tonnes of NPK, DAP, WSF, and specialty fertilizers. Domestic and international sales totalled 112.26 lakh tonnes, further advancing organic and chemical fertilizer use.

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