IFFCO MD Dr U S Awasthi was interviewed extensively by the DD National in its niche programme “Aaj Savera”. In course of the talk Awasthi touched upon several issues ranging from personal to professional.
Awasthi discussed the role of mother in developing a child’s future personality. In particular he credited his mother with training him into leadership by entrusting him with independent jobs while he was still a toddler.” She would ask me to take attendance of people working in the household and such other odd jobs. But most of all she filled me up with a positive outlook towards life which proved useful later on”, he said in a no-holds barred interview lasting 30 minutes.
Any decision in IFFCO has to be farmer-centric, Awasthi explained while discussing his life’s passion- farmers and their welfare. “We have a simple parameter to judge the usefulness of a decision. We only see its implications for farmers. We do not have just a relationship confined to selling fertilizers. It is a total relationship- complex and all encompassing”, he averred.
“In India the problem is we base our decision on the experience of past but not on the projections of future”, MD explained while recounting his experiences of plant expansion a style of working resented my many in the beginning. But even this expansion fell short of the unfolding requirements, he said.
“No matter how big one may be but if he brings in negativity I do not listen to him. In a democracy I have right to reject”, he cautioned against pessimism in life.
The DD interview touched upon several issues such as farmers’ suicide, crop insurance, India’s role in the comity of nations, among other things.
“We have made efforts to stem the tide of suicides among farmers by conducting field tours through IFFCO Kisan Seva Trust. We also asked our Japanese Insurance partner to first come up with schemes benefitting farmers such as Sankat Haran Bima”, Awasthi added.
Referring to crop insurance IFFCO MD insisted that it must be IT-based and Satellite monitored to be successful.” I can say this on the basis of my experience. Political expediency must be avoided in such cases,” he added.
“I was the first Asian to bag the top international position of IFA Presidentship. IFFCO has always tried to challenge the existing system ensuring a place of pride for the team India. We got one of our men elected to the ICA Board and this time the new President won on the basis of our support. Calling shots at international platforms is important”, MD underlined.
Eulogizing the traditional fertilization, MD gave DD Anchor the accounts of various activities IFFCO undertakes in
its Save our Soil campaign. He again demanded direct subsidy to farmers. “Let there be level playing field. We are ready to compete”, he was emphatic.
IFFCO MD also discussed the upcoming projects such as e-bazar. Aimed at ensuring direct contact between seller and buyer the novel concept may usher in a revolution in the commodity retail business, he underlined.
Jasleen K Vora DD anchor egged on the MD to bare his soul. And the interview turned out to be a great discussion about his past, present and future.
