The 2024 Rochdale Pioneers Award has been presented to Dr Udai Shanker Awasthi, the Managing Director of the Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO).
A chemical engineer, he joined IFFCO in 1976. Under his leadership, the cooperative increased its production capacity by 292% and net worth by 688%. IFFCO is the largest fertiliser producer and marketer in India, and the biggest cooperative in the world by turnover on GDP per capita.
Established in 2000, the Rochdale Pioneers Award is the highest honour the ICA bestows. It aims to recognise, in the spirit of the Rochdale Pioneers, a person or, under special circumstances, a cooperative organisation, having contributed to innovative and financially sustainable cooperative activities that have significantly benefited their membership.
ICA President Ariel Guarco presented the award to Dr Awasthi during a special ceremony at the ICA Global Conference in New Delhi, India, on 25 November.
“I am deeply humbled and honored to receive this prestigious award,” said Dr Udai Shanker Awasthi. “This recognition belongs not just to me but to the entire IFFCO family, whose dedication and hard work have driven the cooperative’s success. This award motivates us to continue pushing boundaries and exploring opportunities that benefit the farming community and cooperative sector. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the International Cooperative Alliance for this recognition, that inspires us to uphold and advance the cooperative spirit globally.”
Dr Awasthi further added, “Having been recognized among the top 300 cooperatives globally by the ICA World Cooperative Monitor Report, IFFCO championed sustainable agriculture through Nano fertilizers like Nano DAP and Nano Urea Liquid, transforming farming practices and meeting the demand for eco-friendly solutions. Locally produced Nano fertilizers tackled logistical issues, reduced import reliance, and replaced bulky packaging with compact bottles. These innovations improved soil health, boosted farmer profitability, and promoted environmentally responsible farming”.
Read the full press release in the documents attached.
