Ashok Kumar

Strategic Field Development and Crop Protection R&D leader with 12.7+ years of experience in agricultural field trial management, fungicide and biological product development, and multi-location efficacy validation across India. Currently leading new product fungicide development at PI Industries, with deep expertise in field station operations, scientific protocol design, trial data validation, and cross-functional collaboration with global R&D teams. Strong track record in managing fungicide, biologicals, insecticides, herbicides, and nematicide field programs, delivering high-quality technical data to support product development, registration, and launch readiness.

Associate Team Leader – Fungicide R&D & Field Sciences - PI Industries Ltd - Udaipur

(2024-01)

• Leading India fungicide new product development programs from advanced trials to launch readiness.
• Partnering with global R&D teams on product performance, positioning, and technical strategy.
• Providing scientific leadership to multi-location field trial teams.
• Supporting commercial teams with robust data, stewardship guidance, and technical training.

Pan-India Fungicide LPT Trials In-Charge - Coromandel International Ltd - Pan-India

(2019-06 - 2024-01)

• Headed pan-India fungicide, biological, insecticide, herbicide, and nematicide field trials.
• Designed and executed multi-location protocols aligned with regulatory and global standards.
• Contributed to IPM programs and resistance management strategies.
• Developed and mentored high-performing field science teams.

Product Development Executive – Fungicides - ADAMA India Ltd

(2014-09 - 2017-07)

• Executed fungicide development trials supporting registration and commercialization.

Sales Executive - TATA RALLIS India Ltd

(2017-11 - 2019-05)

• Strengthened market understanding, customer engagement, and feedback to R&D.

Ph.D. - Agronomy - Annamalai University

M.Sc. - Agronomy - Tamil Nadu Agricultural University

B.Sc. - Agriculture - Tamil Nadu Agricultural University