Parbhani, January 10, 2026 — Aligning with the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP-2020) and UGC guidelines,Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth (VNMKV), Parbhani, has launched “Professor of Practice” positions by appointing over 10 distinguished experts from industry and business.
This strategic initiative aims to infuse agricultural education with practical, industry-relevant skills, boosting employability and forging stronger connections between academia, food processing, safety, and the agribusiness value chain in the Marathwada region. Approved by the Academic Council and Executive Council under the guidance of Dr. B. V. Asewar, Director (Education) and Dean (Faculty), these one-year appointments (extendable) require experts to visit the campus at least once every 1-2 months for lectures, demonstrations, student mentoring, and industry interactions. Appointees will receive travel allowances, honorarium, and necessary facilities. Key Appointees Spotlighted
Dr. Prabodh S. Halde — Professor of Practice in Food Technology and Regulatory Affairs A senior food technologist with over 30 years of experience, Dr. Halde served as Global Head of Technical Regulatory Affairs at Marico Limited, shaping regulatory strategies and policy advocacy at national and international levels. He is Chairman of the Chamber for Advancement of Small and Medium Businesses and All India Food Processors Association, Treasurer of Protein Foods and Nutrition Development Association of India, Joint Secretary of Solvent Extractors Association of India, and former President of the Association of Food Scientists and Technologists India (AFSTI). Deeply engaged with FSSAI and Codex (representing India at multiple meetings), he has spoken at over 300 conferences, mentored thousands of students and 100+ startups, and authored influential books including the autobiography Accidental Food Technologist and the motivational Prabodhika series. Hailing from a farming family in Nagpur, he completed his food technology education from Parbhani, making his journey from rural roots to global leadership a powerful inspiration for students. In his role as Professor of Practice, he will emphasize bridging academia and industry through mentoring, faculty development, and hands-on learning in food processing and regulations.
Dr. Umesh Munjaji Kamble — Professor of Practice in Food Technology/Processing Boasting over 21 years in senior roles at SGS India, Reliance Retail, and Godrej Agrovet, Dr. Kamble is Director of F2F Corporate Consultants, Waste to Best Enviro Engineering, and FoodTech Pathshala. Recently elected as National Vice President of AFSTI and appointed Chairman of ASSOCHAM Maharashtra State Development Council (2025-26), he received the AFSTI-FSSAI National Award in 2023. As an FSSAI-FoSTaC partner, he leads nationwide food safety training, while advocating for zero food waste, startup growth, and farmer empowerment.
Shri. Vijaykumar Chole — Professor of Practice in Agribusiness Management Boasting over 25 years of expertise, Shri. Chole is Managing Director of Plantera and former Secretary of Maharashtra Rajya Draksha Bagaitdar Sangh. He previously served as Vice President at Satara Mega Food Park (BVG India), where he fast-tracked Maharashtra’s first Mega Food Park and set up an Agritech Centre. His pioneering work in herbal nano-technology has impacted over 7,000 farmers positively. He has contributed to World Bank projects, Maharashtra and national food processing policies, and received accolades including the M.S. Swaminathan Award and the “Best Business Model” award from ISB and Goldman Sachs.
Other prominent appointees include Dr. Anil Ramesh Majgaonkar, Dr. Narendra Kumar, Prakash Patil, Dr. Umesh Kabke,
Dr. Sayyad Ismail, and several more. The university’s leadership, led by the Vice-Chancellor, views this as a landmark step in achieving NEP-2020
objectives. Additional expert appointments are planned, promising enhanced practical training, advanced food processing knowledge, robust food safety standards, and stronger farmer-industry synergies for future-ready agricultural professionals. Translate in hindi and marathi for news publication
