Advanta Seeds, a global seed company under the UPL Group, has announced the appointment of Rajan Gajaria as its new Vice Chairman. With more than three decades of experience in the agriculture sector, Rajan has served on the boards of UPL SAS and Advanta for the past two years. He brings a wealth of industry knowledge from his previous leadership roles, including a long tenure at Corteva Agriscience, and has recently worked alongside CEOs, venture capital firms, and private equity investors on global business and growth strategies.
In his new capacity at Advanta, Rajan will focus on shaping long-term strategy, enhancing shareholder returns through focused investments, and guiding the company’s growth through mergers and acquisitions. He will also contribute to broader initiatives aimed at strengthening Advanta’s global reach and market leadership. Rajan will retain his role on Advanta’s Board of Directors as part of this expanded responsibility.
Welcoming the appointment, Jai Shroff, Chairman and Group CEO of UPL, said, “Rajan’s leadership and deep understanding of the agriculture industry come at a pivotal time for Advanta. We are confident his contribution will help us accelerate key strategic priorities and deliver strong value to all stakeholders.”
Rajan Gajaria commented, “I am excited to take on this role at a transformative phase in Advanta’s journey. I look forward to working closely with the leadership team to unlock new growth opportunities and create long-term value.”
Bhupen Dubey, CEO of Advanta, added, “Rajan’s appointment is a major step forward for us. His strategic perspective and global experience will support our efforts to drive innovation, expand internationally, and strengthen our commitment to customers, employees, and shareholders.”
UPL Ltd is a global leader in sustainable agriculture, offering a broad range of products and solutions that span the entire agri-food value chain. With annual revenues exceeding USD 5 billion, UPL ranks among the largest agriculture companies globally, supporting farmers in over 140 countries.
The UPL Group functions through four specialized business platforms that collectively drive its global operations and sustainability goals. These include UPL Corporation Ltd. (UPL Corp), which manages the group’s core crop protection business; UPL Sustainable Agriculture Solutions (SAS), focused on providing integrated agricultural services and solutions; Advanta Enterprises Ltd., a leader in the development and distribution of high-quality hybrid seeds; and Superform Chemistries Limited, which specializes in innovative chemical technologies to support sustainable farming practices.These platforms work collectively to deliver on the company’s mission of Reimagining Sustainability through its OpenAg® philosophy—an open, collaborative approach aimed at transforming global food systems.
A part of the UPL Group, Advanta Seeds is a global player in the seed industry, committed to sustainable farming and improving farmer livelihoods through advanced seed technologies. Operating in more than 80 countries, Advanta focuses on developing high-performance hybrid seeds that enhance resilience to climate challenges and boost crop productivity.
Its portfolio includes a wide range of crops such as corn, sorghum, sunflower, canola, rice, and a variety of vegetables. Advanta serves both smallholder farmers and large-scale agricultural enterprises across developed and emerging markets on all five continents, supporting food security and sustainable agriculture worldwide.
