Kothari has recently led IGPA campaign for a Free Trade Policy.

MUMBAI, Apr 14 (The CONNECT) - India Pulses and Grains Association (IPGA) today announced the appointment of Bimal Kothari as its new Chairman. Kothari, who takes over as the association’s third chairman, is one of the key founding members and has been its Vice Chairman since 2011 when it was formed.

IPGA, the apex body for pulses and grains trade and industry, has over 400 direct and indirect members which include individuals, corporates as well as regional pulses traders and processors associations taking its pan-India reach to over 10,000 stakeholders involved in the farming, processing, warehousing and import business of pulses across the entire value chain.

IPGA’s vision is to make the Indian pulses and grains industry and trade globally competitive, and in so doing, help advance India’s food and nutrition security, the associatyion's website says. IPGA takes the onus of essaying a leadership role in the domestic agri-business and plays a more proactive role in the global domain to foster healthy relations among Indian market participants and between India and all associates overseas.

Kothari has recently led the India’s pulses trade and industry’s recommendations for a Free Trade Policy and made a strategic representation to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Commerce, Agriculture and DGFT.

Jitu Bheda, out-going Chairman of IPGA, described Kothari as a dynamic leader who has been instrumental in establishing the association. Bheda expressed the confidence that Kothari will further the association’s vision of being an apex body and a global think tank of the pulses industry and trade.

Kothari said, “IPGA’s leadership team has been at the forefront of the shifts in India’s pulses trade and industry. We have created a well-articulated outlook towards the industry while working closely with the government, policy makers, trade in the larger interest of the farmers and trade. IPGA has invested significantly over the last decade in enhancing relationships with foreign ministries and partner associations through The Pulses Conclave, National Pulses Summit and IPGA Knowledge Webinar Series. I feel very privileged to take on this role at such an exciting time for our sector — the needs are changing rapidly. At the helm of affairs, I will ensure that we deal with these changes in thoughtful and innovative ways to achieve larger goals which will benefit all stakeholders for years to come.”

Sunil Sawla, hon. secretary of the association, said, “His promotion reflects the knowledge, experience, and continuing contribution he has made not only to association but also to the industry as a whole.”