URJA GADA

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EDUCATION

Yale University (Yale School of Environment) New Haven, CT Master of Environmental Management (Business and Environment) May 2025 Area of focus: Regenerative Agriculture and Sustainable Food Systems, Supply Chains and regenerative Business Models, GHG Emissions accounting, Carbon dynamics, Corporate sustainability and strategy development Gujarat Ayurved University Gujarat, India

Master of Medicinal Plants Sciences June 2018

Area of focus: Pharmacognosy & Phyto-chemistry

Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture & Forestry Himachal Pradesh, India Bachelor of Science (Honors) Horticulture June 2014 Area of focus: Commercial Horticulture

WORK EXPERIENCE

World Resources Institute, India New Delhi, India

Senior Research Analyst Apr 2022-Mar 2023

Co-led a Sustainable Urban & Peri-urban Agriculture (SUPA) Scoping study project

Coordinated and facilitated deep, diverse stakeholder engagement through 4 nationwide consultations, a one-on-one interview series, and case studies to create a diagnostic knowledge product that examines SUPA as a nature-based solution to achieve food security and climate change mitigation

Conducted primary and secondary research and data analysis and created presentations to communicate complex ideas and research findings to diverse audiences Urban Farms Co. (Div. Araku Originals Pvt. Ltd.) New Delhi, India Deputy Technical Manager Jan 2020-Mar 2022

Successfully trained and enabled 150+ farmers in five agro-climatic locations to transition to profitable regenerative agriculture farming techniques with a keen focus on soil health

Closely managed a team of over 20 individuals involved in farm operations, sales, and marketing. Acted as a pivotal liaison between the sales and production teams, strategizing year-round supply of vegetables in collaboration with network farmers

Developed a 12-acre biodynamic model farm cultivating over 90 varieties of fresh organic vegetables that served as a training centre for farming communities that included a semi-mechanized composting unit and holistic crop management models

Developed crop-specific package of practices, Handled IMO (Organic Certifications), and Assisted in Regenerative Farm ERP customization

ICAR- Directorate of Medicinal & Aromatic Plants Research Gujarat, India Senior Research Fellow Dec 2018-Jan 2020

Conducted research focused on the determination, identification and isolation of several bio-active compounds of crucial medicinal importance from extracts of different parts of a variety of Garcinia species employing Column chromatography, High-performance thin-layer Chromatography INTERNSHIP & TRAININGS

Indian Institute of Plantation Management-Bengaluru (IIPMB), India Jun 2021-Aug 2021 Professional Certificate Programme on Agri-Business and Management

• An online interactive industry-oriented program on certification, liaisoning processes for sales and marketing of organic produce in India.

Sarjan Biotech Pvt. Ltd., Gujarat, India Feb 2016-May 2016 Technical Intern - Tissue Culture

• Gained First-hand experience with Banana Tissue Culture- G9 Variety. Conducted experiments using bioreactor techniques for the propagation of medicinal plants under controlled conditions. Worked on secondary hardening of tissue-cultured banana saplings.

• Assisted with daily lab operations- maintaining growth chambers, preparing media, hardening units, and routine quality control checks for the culture.

Bhaikaka Krishi Kendra, Gujarat, Gujarat, India Jun 2015-Dec 2015 Long-Term Farming Apprenticeship

• Independently cultivated 30 varieties of vegetable crops using organic biodynamic farming techniques

• Participated as a resource person in educational and training programs on biodynamic farming such as workshops, seminars and mentorship programs.

• Key learnings: soil health management, organic nursery management, composting techniques, insects as plant health indicators, crop rotation, green manuring, cover cropping, companion cropping ecosystem creation and management, agroforestry systems, dairy and fodder management. Scientific Research Center - Kelkar Education Trust, Mumbai, India Oct 2014-Nov 2014 Research Intern

• Successfully completed a training and certification program on tissue culture propagation (Aromatic plants) and microbiology techniques (General Microbiology) Gantali Mitra Mandal, Thane, India Nov 2014-Mar 2015 Certificate Course in Yogic Education

• Excelled in practical and theoretical Yoga

OTHER PROFESSIONAL INVOLVEMENTS

• Biodynamic Farming workshop Bhaikaka Krishi Kendra, Gujarat Assisted in providing biodynamic farming training to 100+ farmers in Central India, with a focus on small to marginal farmers. Leveraged bilingual skills to translate subject matter and techniques into Gujarati, Hindi, Marathi, and English to increase accessibility and understanding.

• Panel Member for Board of Studies Shri Vishwakarma Skill University Collaborated with industry and educational leaders to develop the curriculum for Under-graduate and Graduate agriculture courses, with a focus on preparing youth for success in the industry. Offered expertise on key topics to be included, ensuring that students build a strong foundation in theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

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