Ramesh Chand
CGIAR Board, Voting Member
Dr. Ramesh Chand Distinguished Professor | Agricultural Economist | Former Member, NITI Aayog Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER), New Delhi Executive
Dr. Ramesh Chand is among India’s foremost agricultural economists and public policy leaders, with over four decades of distinguished contributions to agricultural transformation, food systems, rural development, and economic policymaking. He served as Member, NITI Aayog (2015–2026), the Government of India’s apex policy institution chaired by the Prime Minister, holding the rank and status of Minister of State. Widely recognized for combining rigorous economic analysis with strategic policy vision, he has played a pivotal role in shaping India’s agricultural growth agenda, food security framework, nutrition strategy, agricultural reforms, market development, value chains, trade policy, and farmer welfare initiatives.
Key Positions Held
- Member, NITI Aayog, Government of India (2015–2026)
- Chairman, Governing Body, Institute of Economic Growth, University of Delhi (2022–2025)
- Director, National Institute for Agricultural Economics and Policy Research (2010–2015)
- ICAR National Professor in Agricultural Economics (2005–2010)
Distinguished Professor, Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) Global Engagements Dr. Chand has been a leading voice in global discussions on food security and sustainable agriculture. His international leadership roles include:
- Board Member, CGIAR consisting of 12 Centres
- Member, Policy Advisory Council, Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR)
- Former Board Member, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), AfricaRice, and CIMMYT
- Was National Convener (India), UN Food Systems Initiative Education Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi.
