Sandhya Kranthi

Sandhya Kranthi is an agricultural scientist holding a doctoral degree with over 32 years of expertise specializing in cotton research. Throughout her distinguished career, she served as an R&D manager, taking the lead in agricultural technology development and outreach programs tailored for smallholder cotton farmers in rainfed regions of India and Africa.

During a three-year tenure as a Project Consultant for the ICAC, Sandhya Kranthi played a pivotal role in providing technical support across multiple GIZ and ITC/EU projects in Africa, securing a funding of 2.5 million Euros. Her contributions and leadership have significantly impacted the field of cotton research and development.

As a scientist affiliated with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Sandhya Kranthi assumed the role of the Head of the Crop Protection Division at the Central Institute for Cotton Research in Nagpur, India, for 8 years. In this capacity, she spearheaded projects and offered technical guidance to public sector research and extension initiatives, particularly focusing on cotton crop protection programs in India.

Sandhya Kranthi's influence extends beyond borders, as she has dedicated herself to training master trainers in cotton production, protection, and regenerative agriculture across five African countries, including French-speaking nations, and Bangladesh. Leveraging both conventional and digital tools, such as Virtual Reality films and the ICAC Soil and Plant health APP developed under her guidance at the ICAC, she has made significant strides in advancing agricultural practices.

Starting her career as a molecular entomologist with proficiency in wet lab skills, Sandhya Kranthi has evolved into an expert in the practical implementation of novel regenerative agriculture production technologies. With acquired extension skills, her current passion lies in championing sustainable cotton production and fostering its alignment with regenerative agriculture practices for the future.