Sachdev Celebrates 25 Years As Council Consultant

The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) recently honored its South Asia Representative Amit Sachdev on 25 years of service to the organization.

Sachdev became a consultant for the Council in 1996.

“My background was in agriculture and animal husbandry, and the kind of work that the Council did at the time was what I had always wanted to do: work with new ideas and technologies that would ensure farmers made more money, stay gainfully employed and produce better products,” he said.

Sachdev said he has seen many things change over the years, and that he remembers when India imported its first boatload of U.S. corn in 1998.

“It was more so about supply and demand in the beginning and making progress on where corn and other raw materials would come from,” Sachdev said. “U.S. corn imports continued until 2000, but then a new challenge emerged, that of genetically modified materials and higher duties on imports. As we moved forward, new challenges continued to emerge, and I have been learning on the job to meet those. It has been an exciting journey learning about new products and letting people know that we have learned to unlearn old theories and learned the new theories.”

Some of Sachdev’s favorite memories are those in which he has had the opportunity to meet with farmers.

“There are many favorite memories, but in general they are the times that I have worked with farmers in different parts of the country. The farmers always had so much respect for the Council and the teams USGC brought with it,” he said. “They opened the doors of their houses, showed us around, and some people still remember the visits and follow the systems the Council taught them.”

Sachdev says the Council has continued to teach him new things and he has enjoyed each experience.

“I enjoy learning new things, new projects and taking on new challenges as they come, especially in this part of the world [South Asia] where farming and politics go hand-in-hand,” Sachdev said. “I’ve also enjoyed traveling to some exotic locations and making new friends around the world, working with good people in the Council and in other parts of the world.”

While work has been a top priority for Sachdev, he has always made time for his family.

“My family has been my strength, especially my wife. She was always holding down the fort while I traveled, and she understands the timelines I work under. Wherever I would be, though, I have always tried to be back home in time for birthdays, anniversaries and parent-teacher meetings.”

The Council’s leadership expressed their appreciation virtually to Sachdev, honoring him with a 25-year award at the 19th International Marketing Conference and 62nd Annual Membership Meeting.

“Congratulations to Amit for his 25 years of service. He has been an anchor for the Council in South Asia for all these years,” said Kurt Shultz, USGC senior director of global strategies, who oversees the Council’s South Asia operations. “He has witnessed a lot of changes over those years, both at the Council and in South Asia, but has always been a steadfast representative of the Council in the region. It has been particularly rewarding to see all his hard work pay off as the Council opens its newest office in India this year. This office will build on and expand on Amit’s efforts to put India on the map for U.S. agriculture.”

Please join the Council in congratulating Amit!