Agricon HortiConnect 2026 · 3-Day Trade Expo · Bengaluru
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Leadership & Advisory — Agricon HortiConnect 2026

The people steering Agricon HortiConnect 2026

Leadership & Advisory

Industry veterans, former regulators and academic leaders — the founders, directors and advisors shaping India’s premier agri & horti buying week at BIEC Bengaluru.

HortiConnect Leadership

7 Directors
Mr. S. K. Gutgutia

Mr. S. K. Gutgutia

Founder, Florance Flora

Pioneer in protected farming with 30+ years of experience. Transformed India's greenhouse sector through high-quality planting materials and sustainable cultivation practices.

Mr. Rajeeb Roy

Mr. Rajeeb Roy

Leader, Indian Protected Farming

Decades-long career connecting stakeholders across the sector. Key thought leader shaping protected horticulture innovation and fostering meaningful industry partnerships.

Mr. Shrikant Bolapally

Mr. Shrikant Bolapally

Veteran Farmer & Horticulture Expert

30+ years farming experience offering practical solutions for crop management and climate-controlled cultivation, advancing sustainable agriculture practices.

Mr. Bhavin Thakker

Mr. Bhavin Thakker

Managing Director, Sonite Agriventures Pvt. Ltd.

Nearly three decades driving innovation in protected cultivation. Pioneered shade nets and mulch films in India, partnering with international agri-solution providers.

Md. Rafiulla

Md. Rafiulla

Greenhouse Manufacturer & Expert Grower

Dual expertise in manufacturing advanced greenhouse technology and expert growing practices, contributing to modernisation of India's horticulture sector.

Mr. Rajendra Kumar

Mr. Rajendra Kumar

Horticulture Industry Veteran

30+ years experience spanning greenhouse farming and agribusiness strategy, helping businesses adapt to market demands through innovation.

Mr. Rownak Gutgutia

Mr. Rownak Gutgutia

Head of Operations, Florance Flora Group

Operational leader emphasising efficiency, innovation and teamwork while driving excellence in floriculture and horticulture solutions.

Technical Advisors

3 Experts
Prof. Chandrashekhar M. Biradar

Prof. Chandrashekhar M. Biradar

CMD, Global Green Growth

Earth System Scientist with 30+ years work across multiple continents. Author of 450+ publications integrating science, tradition and innovation for sustainable development.

Dr. S. B. Dandin

Dr. S. B. Dandin

Former Vice Chancellor, UHS, Bagalkot

40+ years advancing sericulture, horticultural education and research. Established India's leading horticultural university with 8 colleges and research stations.

Dr. T. Janakiram

Dr. T. Janakiram

Former Vice Chancellor, Dr. YSR Horticultural University

40+ years in horticulture education and research. Developed 47 flower varieties and led national floriculture programmes at ICAR.

National Advisory Committee

11 Members
Dr. Tarun Shridhar
Committee Chair

Dr. Tarun Shridhar

Committee Chair · IAS, Former Secretary, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying

Chairs the National Advisory Committee for AgriCon HortiConnect 2026, bringing decades of senior government experience in agriculture, animal husbandry, dairying and fisheries policy.

Dr. A. K. Singh

Dr. A. K. Singh

Vice Chancellor, RLB Central Agricultural University, Jhansi

Leads one of India's central agricultural universities, shaping research agendas and curriculum for the next generation of agri leaders.

Dr. Harsh Bhanwala

Dr. Harsh Bhanwala

Former Chairman, NABARD

Led NABARD's national mandate on rural development finance and policy, with deep expertise in agri credit and cooperative institutions.

Dr. K. M. L. Pathak

Dr. K. M. L. Pathak

Former Vice Chancellor, DUVASU, Mathura

Former head of DUVASU, Mathura — one of India's leading veterinary and animal-sciences universities. Career-long advocate for integrated agriculture education.

Dr. Kalyan Goswami

Dr. Kalyan Goswami

Director General, Agro Chemical Federation of India

Drives policy and industry coordination for India's crop-protection sector at the Agro Chemical Federation of India.

Mr. M. C. Dominic

Mr. M. C. Dominic

Founder & Editor-in-Chief, Krishi Jagran & Agriculture World

Founder of India's largest agri-media group, bringing three decades of editorial leadership connecting farmers, industry and policy makers.

Dr. Nutan Kaushik

Dr. Nutan Kaushik

Director General, Amity Agriculture Foundation

Heads the Amity Agriculture Foundation, focused on research, incubation and applied innovation in Indian agriculture.

Dr. Poonam Malakondaiah

Dr. Poonam Malakondaiah

Former Secretary (Agriculture) & Agriculture Commissioner, Andhra Pradesh & Telangana

Senior IAS officer with deep experience driving state agriculture policy, market reform and horticulture programmes across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

Dr. S. K. Chaudhari

Dr. S. K. Chaudhari

Director General, Fertilizer Association of India

Leads the Fertilizer Association of India's national policy and advocacy agenda, with expertise in soil health and nutrient management.

Dr. S. K. Malhotra

Dr. S. K. Malhotra

Former Agriculture Commissioner, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare · Former VC, MHU Karnal

Former Agriculture Commissioner at the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Vice Chancellor of Maharana Pratap Horticultural University (MHU), Karnal.

Mr. Sunil Khairnar

Mr. Sunil Khairnar

Chairman & Incubator, Indigram Labs Foundation

Founder and chairman of Indigram Labs Foundation — one of India's leading agri-tech incubators supporting startups across the agriculture and food-tech value chain.

Backed by India’s leading agri-horti institutions

Associate and media partners working alongside Messe Muenchen India & Horticonnect Global to make Agricon HortiConnect 2026 the definitive buying week for the sector.

Talk to the 2026 expo team.

Booking a stall, joining a pavilion, sponsoring a session or requesting media access — send us a note and we’ll reply within one business day.

I’m writing as a

We reply Mon–Sat, 10:00–18:00 IST. Your details stay with the organising team.

One message, one business day.

Reach the organising team on any of these channels. For anything time-sensitive — stall confirmations, pavilion slots, press passes — the phone line is the fastest route.

Organiser Office Messe Muenchen India Pvt. Ltd.

Unit No. 1271, Solitaire Corporate Park, 7th Floor, Building No. 12, 167, Guru Hargovindji Marg, Andheri – Ghatkopar Link Road, Andheri (East), Mumbai – 400 093, India


Call the team +919930700292

Mon–Sat · 10:00–18:00 IST


Write to us bhola.mandal@mm-india.in

We reply within one business day.