Advanta Seeds names Rajan Gajaria as Vice Chairman

Advanta Seeds, a leading global seed company and a key part of the UPL Group, has announced the appointment of Rajan Gajaria as Vice Chairman. The move marks a significant step in Advanta’s strategic evolution as it seeks to accelerate growth and expand its global footprint in the agri-inputs sector.

Rajan is no stranger to Advanta, having served as a Board Member of UPL SAS and Advanta for the past two years. His appointment to Vice Chairman underscores the company’s confidence in his deep industry expertise and visionary leadership. With over 30 years of experience in the global agriculture industry, Rajan brings a unique blend of operational excellence, strategic insight, and cross-border leadership capabilities.

He joins Advanta following a distinguished tenure at Corteva Agriscience, where he held several senior leadership roles. In recent years, Rajan has been actively engaged across a portfolio of ventures—serving on multiple boards and collaborating closely with CEOs, venture capitalists, and private equity firms. His extensive experience in guiding high-growth companies and navigating complex business environments has equipped him with a broad and agile perspective on global market dynamics.

In his new role as Vice Chairman, Rajan will play a pivotal role in shaping Advanta’s long-term strategy. His focus will include:

• Driving shareholder value through disciplined and forward-looking investment strategies
• Accelerating inorganic growth via targeted mergers and acquisitions
• Providing strategic counsel on market expansion, innovation, and sustainable business models
• Supporting broader initiatives aimed at enhancing Advanta’s global impact and leadership position in the seed sector

Rajan will continue to serve on Advanta’s Board of Directors, bringing continuity and seasoned governance to the company’s leadership structure.

This appointment comes at a time when the global agricultural sector is undergoing rapid transformation, with increased emphasis on climate-resilient crops, food security, and sustainable farming practices. Rajan Gajaria’s leadership is expected to reinforce Advanta’s commitment to innovation, farmer-centric solutions, and long-term value creation.

Jai Shroff, Chairman & Group CEO of UPL, said, “We are delighted to welcome Rajan Gajaria as Vice Chairman of Advanta. His deep expertise in the agriculture sector and proven leadership will be pivotal as we accelerate our strategic initiatives and deliver greater value to our stakeholders.”

 Rajan Gajaria, Vice Chairman, Advanta, shared, “Joining Advanta at this exciting stage represents a significant opportunity. I look forward to collaborating with the leadership team to explore new avenues for growth and deliver meaningful value for all stakeholders.”

 Bhupen Dubey, CEO of Advanta, added, “Rajan’s arrival marks a significant milestone for Advanta. His strategic vision and deep industry expertise will be instrumental as we continue to drive innovation, expand our global presence, and deliver exceptional outcomes for our shareholders, customers and employees.”