CEO, Founder
Hailing from the picturesque and culturally rich village of Moozhikulam, Ranjit has been a vocal advocate for farmers and an equitable way of life for underserved communities. Graduated with an MBA in Human Resources and Marketing, Ranjit worked with a renowned private sector corporation briefly, but his career calling lay in serving the farming community at the grassroots level. Moved by the ideals of the late President Dr. Abdul Kalam, Ranjit created Agronature as a niche farming consultancy; to facilitate, to create, and sustain a better way of life for the farming communities around him.
His exciting and remarkable experiences began with National Green Corp, where his desire for farming, environment and sustainability was nurtured.Ranjit was also an Agricultural Expedition Program state winner, and served as a resource person for Forest Research Institute. He was also an active member of the ‘India against corruption campaign’ and worked devotedly towards trying to build a more progressive nation. Presently Ranjit also serves as an advisory board member for the Department of Cooperation, Kerala, in their product development, and marketing strategy department.
As the founder and CEO of Agronature, Ranjit leads Agronature in taking us to new heights in helping build better communities.
Dr. May Meenu Jacob
Director Research & Project Development
Innovative Multidisciplinary Research | Impact Assessment through R&D | Designing, Implementing & Measuring Sustainability Strategy | Multi-Stakeholder Engagement
Dr. Jacob has been working towards crafting sustainable social impact models, that are measurable and sustainable. With several years of experience in conducting formative and summative research across multiple platforms and diverse populations, she leads the research aspects in projects and organisations.
For over 10 years Dr. Jacob has worked in several research and community oriented projects in the United Kingdom, United States of America, and India, building models based on research and data, including working in the neighborhood revitalisation program envisioned by President Obama: The Promise Neighborhoods Project in Hayward California, at the California State University East Bay.
With experience in data analysis and community development, Dr. Jacob brings with her an international, yet locally sustainable perspective on community development strategies and issues. Trained in research methodologies at the London School of Economics and Political Sciences, Dr. Jacob leads the research and project development division of Agronature. The research department, under Dr. Jacob’s leadership supports feasibility studies, DPR preparation, socio-economic surveys, ESG/GRI reporting and compliance strategies.
Her previous research work includes working on European Union research projects as part of the Jean Monnet Research Centre at the University of Leeds, and her doctoral thesis at the London School of Economics and Political Sciences on Immigrant Women and Identity.
Advisory Board
Friedrich Wissing,
Founder, Ilkon, Germany
- Ilkon was established in 1985 because of growing awareness about environmental pollution and the condition of natural waters and wetlands in Germany. An expert in bio-technical and biological engineering, Wissing focuses on interdisciplinary collaboration to establish engineering practice in the field of applied limnology.
- Wissing advises Agronature on water ecology, dedicated to ecological modeling and preferential implementation of biological treatment. Depending on the task, location, and type of water body, technical devices are installed for further enhancement of water quality.
Publications
- Friedrich Wissing, Karlfriedrich Hofmann, Wasserreinigung mit Pflanzen, 273 p, 2nd edition, Ulmer Verlag, Stuttgart, Germany, 2002.
- Friedrich Wissing, Phytoremediation with wetland plants growing without soil, in: Phytoremediation inventory, COST Action 837 View, Tomas Vanek, Jean-Paul Schwitzguebel, edits, UOCHB AVCR, Praha, Czech Republic, 2003.
- Friedrich Wissing, Abwasserbehandlung in China, BI GaLaBau Nr. 10+11, BI Medien Verlag, Kiel, Germany, 2004.
- Friedrich Wissing, Pflanzen in Schwimm- und Badeteichanlagen, in: Öffentliche Schwimm- und Badeteichanlagen, Mehdi Mahabadi, Ines-Maria Rohlfing, Hrsg., Ulmer Verlag, Stuttgart, Germany, 2005.
P. Vasudev
Metallurgy Engineer, Director- Jayva Cast Domiciles, Pvt. Ltd
- Developed Domicile modular housing modules in captive research and development in Perumbavoor.
- Completed Khazana, Doha, Qatar, project for His Highness Emir of Qatar on concept to commissioning basis
- Director, Project exports, Manuel Woodcrafts & General engineering company, in-charge of developing new export projects in the Middle East.
- Project in charge of CARESS extension center, Minicoy, under Ford Foundation, USA. The center assists women of Minicoy in directly exporting value-added fish products to Sri Lanka and the Middle East.
- Chief Project Executive, Aquaculture Advance Systems Private Limited, a joint venture project with Lakshadweep Dev. Corp. Ltd. ( Govt. of India undertaking) producing and exporting marine ornamental fish hatchery, Agatti Island, Lakshadweep, India.
- Project Consultant, Industrial projects & Fishing Div. Lakshadweep Dev. Corp. Ltd. ( Govt. of India). Improved production efficiency and productivity of canning factory, Minicoy, introduced diversification with development of fish products with long shelf life. Established Skipjack Tuna export initiative under Government of India, ASIEDE scheme. Pioneered export of Sashimi Grade Yellowfin tuna to Japan.
Dr. V. N. Sivasankara Pillai
Lifetime fellow of Indian Chemical Society, and Indian Society of Analytical Scientists
- Dr. Pillai has had an illustrious career in the areas of environmental sciences, chemical sciences, and hazardous chemicals management.
- In the years 1995-97, Dr. Pillai was on the Supreme Court Empowered Committee to Study Industrial Pollution at Eloor-Edayar Area, Kochi.
- At the Cochin University of Science and Technology, Dr. Pillai has served many key faculty roles including, Professor of applied Chemistry/ Environmental Science, Hon. Director: School of Rural Development & Appropriate Technology, Civil Engineering School of Engineering, Emeritus Professor (2004-2006) , School of Environmental Studies, Professor of Environmental Studies & Director ( 2000-2004) are a few among them.
- With Kerala State Pollution Control Board, he has been an expert member for preparation of pollution inventory for Merchem (Rubber Chemical Manufacturing Unit) and Hindustan Insecticides Ltd, Kochi, Impact Assessment of Kerala Sponge Ltd, Palakkad.
Dr. Pillai is an advisory board member for Agronature Pvt. Ltd.and informs all our projects with his profound experience.
Dr. C Ravindranatha Kammath
Former HOD of Integrative Medicine at Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi,
Dr. Kammath is trained both in ayurveda and allopathic medicine ( palliative and family medicine).
He is presently a consultant at the Bethany Shalom Bhavan, Pothanikkad, and M.C.S. Hospital Muvattupuzha.
At Agronature, Dr. Kammath advises the nutritional aspects and applications of food products. He also advises on the medicinal plants utilisation of our agricultural projects