Knowing Prof. Vijaysingh Gaikwad
Dr. Vijaysingh Rameshwar Rao Gaikwad, retd. Prof., Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIMA), was a distinguished academician, researcher, and consultant, with over 35 years of experience at national and international levels. His expertise lay in the management of economic and social organizations, enterprises and projects, and conservation of nature and natural resources. A prolific scholar, he has authored 15 books monographs, 40 research papers, and 80 case studies that have contributed extensively to the knowledge base in agricultural management, cooperative development, and public policy. He worked as a Professor at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) from 1970 to 1993, contributing significantly to policy, program evaluation, and impact assessment across diverse sectors. He has been a consultant to international organisations like the World Bank, UNRISD, ICA, ILO, UNESCO, IDRC, FAO, ESCAP, CARE INDIA, UNICEF, and multiple government agencies like NAFED, NCDC, Planning Commission, Ministry of Agriculture, and state governments etc.
Early Life and Education
Dr. V.R. Gaikwad was born in Jabalpur, India and pursued higher education in Anthropology. He obtained his Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Saugar, India, in 1962, following a Master’s degree (M.A.) in Anthropology from the same university in 1959. He completed his B.A. in Economics, Political Science, and Literature from the University of Jabalpur in 1957.
Dr. Gaikwad’s career in academia and research as a Professor at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIMA), spanned over three decades. During his tenure, he held several key positions, including:
- Chair Professor, State Bank of India (1985-1992)
- Chairman, Research & Publications (1984-1986)
- Coordinator, MDPs of Center for Management in Agriculture (CMA) (1982)
- Associated with FAO (Rome) and worked in Indonesia (1981-1982)
- Chairman, Centre for Management in Agriculture (CMA) (1978-1980)
- Chairman, Management Development Programmes (MDP) (1976-1979)
- Acting Director, IIMA (1983, 1985)
Dr. Gaikwad before joining IIMA, served as:
- Deputy Director at the National Institute of Community (now Rural) Development, Hyderabad (1964-1970)
- Lecturer at the Institute of Social Science, Agra University (1963-1964)
Experience at IIMA (1970-1993)
Dr. Gaikwad has undertaken consulting, research, and training assignments for national and international organizations in the management of policy, programs, and projects for:
- Rural development: Community development, rural institutions, local self-government, people’s participation, rural industries, off-farm employment, infrastructure for health, education, nutrition, sanitation, development administration, integrated rural development, etc.
- Agricultural development: Input supply, output marketing, post-harvest management and value addition, infrastructure development (land, water, power, credit), non-government organizations, farmers’ organizations, extension and communication, research, agro-industries, etc. It covered crops, livestock, fishery, forestry (including social forestry), etc.
- Tribal development: Forest tribes – their condition; resettlement; tribal development corporation.
- Conservation of nature and natural resources: Environmental issues; wasteland development; sanctuaries and national parks; wildlife; people and national parks; sustainable development; natural disasters, etc.
- Organization / Business enterprises: Public, private, non-government organizations, cooperative organizations/enterprises, research organizations, entrepreneurship development.
Contributions to Research and Consultancy
Dr. Gaikwad was extensively involved in Research, Policy Planning, and Consultancy at National and International Levels. He collaborated with Government Agencies, International Organisations, and Private Enterprises related to Rural Development, Cooperative Enterprises, Post-Harvest Management, Environmental Conservation, and Institutional Management.
POST-RETIREMENT EXPERIENCE-PRIVATE CONSULTANT
After retiring from IIMA in 1993, Dr. Gaikwad continued his association with the institute as a Private Consultant (1994-2003), working on projects such as:
- Founder President, Indian Society of Agri-Business Management (1993-94)
- Preparation of Perspective Plan for National Federation of Agricultural Marketing Cooperatives (NAFED) (1993-1995)
- Social & Environmental Impact of National Parks and Protected Areas in Developing Countries (UNRISD, Geneva) (1993-1995)
- Evaluation of Training Programs (MANAGE, Hyderabad) (2001-2002)
- Peer Review of National Institute of Agricultural Marketing (NIAM, Jaipur) (2000-2003)
- Post-harvest Management & Value Addition as part of the study “State of Indian Farmers: A Millennium Study” sponsored by the Ministry of Agriculture (GOI) (2001-2003 onwards)
- Business Planning for Cooperatives and Agricultural Extension, as part of the study “State of Indian Farmers: A Millennium Study” sponsored by the Ministry of Agriculture (GOI) (2001-2003 onwards)
POST-RETIREMENT CONTRIBUTIONS
- Post-retirement from IIMA in 1993, Dr. Gaikwad remained actively engaged as a consultant and researcher on various projects at IIMA and other institutions concerning several policy and institutional development projects. Additionally, he taught Procurement Management for Agri-Business at various MBA programs for 14 years.
- His independent consultancy work spans business planning for cooperatives, agricultural extension, rural development, post-harvest management, and evaluation of training programs. He has also provided expert guidance on restructuring and organizational development for numerous national and international agencies.
- Dr. Gaikwad has taught Procurement Management for Agri-Business to MBA students at various institutions for the last 14 years, mentoring future leaders.
Areas of Expertise
Dr. Gaikwad was proficient in various fields, including:
- Rural & Agricultural Development: Cooperative management, agricultural extension, post-harvest management, value addition.
- Environmental Conservation & Sustainability: Social forestry, protected area management, impact assessment, sustainable development.
- Institutional & Organizational Development: Reorganization of institutions, governance reforms, entrepreneurship promotion.
- Human Resource Development (HRD): Capacity-building programs, executive training, and skill development initiatives.
- Management Development Programs: Coordination of (MDP) for the training of executives/administrators from public, private, cooperative, and non-government voluntary organizations from India and other Asian and African countries.
- Post Graduate and Fellow (Doctoral) Programs of IIMA and Other Institutes: Teaching Organization Behavior, Communication, Indian Social Environment, Research Methodology, European Economic Community.
NATURE OF ASSIGNMENTS:
Evaluation Studies, Feasibility Studies, Social, Economic and Environmental Impact Studies, Monitoring and Control Systems, Organisation/Restructuring of Organisations, Perspective Planning, Local and Regional Planning, Training Manuals for HRD and OD, Regional Planning Manuals, Identification of Project Ideas and Project Design, Case Studies on Specific Problems, Status Reports, Self-learning modules etc.
Major Clients and Collaborations
Dr. Gaikwad worked with several prominent national and international organisations including:
International Organizations
- World Bank (1994)
- United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD, Geneva) (1993-1994)
- International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) (1986-1993)
- International Labour Organization (ILO, Delhi & Geneva) (1980, 1989-1990)
- United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organization (UNESCO) (1979, 1987)
- International Development Research Centre (IDRC) (1986)
- Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO, Rome) (1978-1985)
- United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) (1981)
- United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) (1979-1980)
- CARE India, UNICEF, Ford Foundation (1971-1978)
National Organizations and Government Agencies
- NAFED, National Cooperative Development Council (NCDC), Planning Commission (GOI), Ministry of Food, Agriculture Rural Development, Ministry of Home Affairs, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
- Personnel Dept.: LBS National Academy of Administration Mussoorie, National Institute of Agricultural Marketing (NIAM), MANAGE Hyderabad, National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management
- State Governments: Madhya Pradesh-Forest Dept., Rajasthan-Cooperative Dept., Gujarat- Tribal Development Dept., Andhra Pradesh-Industries Dept.
- Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, North East Council, Indian Council for Social Science Research (ICSSR)
- Public & Private Sector Enterprises, Agri-Business Firms, and Cooperative Organizations
- Member of the Academic Advisory Committee of Faculty of Management Studies (FOMS), College of Materials Management, University of Jabalpur, September 1996 onwards
- On Board of Directors; AGRO TECH INDIA LTD., 1990-1992; Madhya Pradesh State Agro-Industries Corporation
- Membership of various committees of the Government of India (GOI) on education, research, training, program planning and evaluation for social and economic development programs, and public administration
Publications and Research Contributions
- The Anglo-Indians: A Study in Emotional & Cultural Integration (1967)
- Panchayati Raj and Bureaucracy (1969)
- Guide to Management of Small Farmers’ Cooperatives (FAO, Rome, 1982)
- Managing Paddy-Rice Business of Small Farmers (1986)
- Planning Rural Development Projects in Laos (ILO, 1990)
- EC-1992 and Beyond (Oxford & IBH, 1994)
Global Contributions and Recognition
Dr. Gaikwad travelled extensively to countries such as The United Kingdom, The United States of America, Italy, Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Nepal, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, Philippines, South Korea, Afghanistan, Laos, and Hungary for international dialogues on development, rural management, and policy frameworks. His remarkable contributions to education, research, and consultancy continue to shape domains of rural development, agricultural management, and cooperative enterprises, leaving a lasting impact on academia, government institutions, and policy implementation bodies.
Post-Retirement Contributions
Following his retirement, Dr. Gaikwad remained actively engaged in consultancy and research. He continued to work with IIMA and other institutions on various policy and institutional development projects. Additionally, he taught Procurement Management for Agri-Business at various MBA programs for 14 years.
Legacy and Impact
Dr. V.R. Gaikwad’s contributions significantly influenced policy frameworks, rural development models, cooperative enterprises, and agricultural management practices in India and internationally. His research, training programs, and consultancy projects played a crucial role in strengthening institutional capacities, guiding policy reforms, and advancing sustainable rural development initiatives.