Sambit Satapathy: Charting A New Course For The Seed Industry With A Visionary Approach To Agricultural Advancements
Sambit Satapathy
Managing Director
Sambit Satapathy is a dynamic leader and visionary, serving as the Managing Director of Akshay Seeds. With a profound understanding of agriculture and a deep commitment to innovation, Sambit has been at the forefront of driving change within the seed industry. Under his stewardship, Akshay Seeds has emerged as a trusted name, providing high-quality vegetable seeds that meet the diverse needs of farmers across India and beyond. His leadership journey is defined by a passion for empowering farmers and enhancing agricultural productivity through cutting-edge research, sustainable practices, and a farmer-first approach.
Below is an excerpt of Sambit Satapathy’s exclusive interaction with CEO Insights magazine.
Give a brief account of your professional background and experience. What is the motivation that fuels your daily routines?
My professional journey began after graduating from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, in 1992, where I completed the PGDM (MBA) course. With a deep-rooted passion for the agribusiness sector, I've had the privilege to work across various roles, from sales and marketing to leadership, with renowned companies like JK Seeds, Syngenta, Seminis, Bioseed Vietnam and DuPont Pioneer Indonesia. Over the years, my experiences across India, Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia have shaped my entrepreneurial spirit. Today, as the Managing Partner of Akshay Seeds, I aim to revolutionize & achieve benchmarks in the seed industry, leveraging my expertise to create impactful solutions for farmers. My motivation lies in empowering farmers, enhancing
productivity, finding impactful solutions, and ensuring sustainable growth through innovation and knowledge sharing.
Could you tell us about the unique experiences the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad offers and what did you learn from the campus beyond academics?
Joining IIM Ahmedabad was a transformative experience. Coming from the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, I was initially apprehensive about fitting in with such a diverse and talented cohort. But IIM Ahmedabad provides more than just academics; it shapes personalities and builds confidence. The collaborative environment fosters learning beyond the classroom like teamwork, people management, problem solving abilities, innovative thinking and finding solutions, managing pressures, collaboration and cooperation and communication. The support from peers is invaluable; if you struggle in a subject, there's always help from friends with different strengths. The institute moulds raw talent into refined professionals, ready to face real-world challenges and lead teams effectively, turning every student into a finished product. It creates a profound impact on one’s personality and make people more humble along with knowledge and skills.
My leadership approach centers around mentoring and fostering trust. I believe that effective leadership goes beyond imparting knowledge or skills; it involves understanding people, their needs, and creating a safe space for open communication. I mentor by being hands on - working alongside my team, and guiding them through real world challenges demonstrating resilience. I lead by example inspiring my team to follow suit. I encourage learning through experience, accept mistakes, and provide constructive feedback to build confidence. I understand the emotional needs of team members which is key to maintaining morale and building stronger personal relationships. I inspire the team to focus on achieving results that foster innovation and improve efficiency. By creating an environment of trust and support, I empower & help my team members grow into leaders themselves. Seeing them succeed and lead in various roles worldwide brings immense satisfaction and motivates me to continue mentoring with passion and purpose.
What is the future destination you are heading towards?
Could you tell us about the unique experiences the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad offers and what did you learn from the campus beyond academics?
Joining IIM Ahmedabad was a transformative experience. Coming from the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, I was initially apprehensive about fitting in with such a diverse and talented cohort. But IIM Ahmedabad provides more than just academics; it shapes personalities and builds confidence. The collaborative environment fosters learning beyond the classroom like teamwork, people management, problem solving abilities, innovative thinking and finding solutions, managing pressures, collaboration and cooperation and communication. The support from peers is invaluable; if you struggle in a subject, there's always help from friends with different strengths. The institute moulds raw talent into refined professionals, ready to face real-world challenges and lead teams effectively, turning every student into a finished product. It creates a profound impact on one’s personality and make people more humble along with knowledge and skills.
My journey at IIM Ahmedabad was a catalyst for growth, sharpening my strategic mindset & inspiring impactful leadership
My leadership approach centers around mentoring and fostering trust. I believe that effective leadership goes beyond imparting knowledge or skills; it involves understanding people, their needs, and creating a safe space for open communication. I mentor by being hands on - working alongside my team, and guiding them through real world challenges demonstrating resilience. I lead by example inspiring my team to follow suit. I encourage learning through experience, accept mistakes, and provide constructive feedback to build confidence. I understand the emotional needs of team members which is key to maintaining morale and building stronger personal relationships. I inspire the team to focus on achieving results that foster innovation and improve efficiency. By creating an environment of trust and support, I empower & help my team members grow into leaders themselves. Seeing them succeed and lead in various roles worldwide brings immense satisfaction and motivates me to continue mentoring with passion and purpose.
What is the future destination you are heading towards?
My future aspirations revolve around three key goals. First, I aim to elevate my company, Akshay Seeds, into a reputable dynamic, progressive seed industry leader in providing quality vegetable seeds to farmers both in India and globally, creating immense opportunities for my dedicated team. Second, I want to mentor young professionals in my industry, sharing the knowledge and experience I’ve accumulated over 32 years to help them excel and become professionally ready to serve farmers around the globe which will secure food for billions of people. Finally, I plan to establish an NGO focused on empowering farmers by providing them with market and crop knowledge, essential information, easily adaptable technologies, sustainable agriculture practices resources, and guidance to improve agricultural productivity and livelihoods. This initiative will address current challenges, enhance farmers' livelihoods, and ultimately contribute to the progress of our nation.
In light of your strong experience within the industry, what advice would you give to budding industry leaders?
For budding industry leaders, my advice is to stay true to your roots and deeply understand the challenges faced by farmers today. By keeping a farmer centric approach and staying committed to innovation, sustainability, environmentally friendly methods, and collaboration, emerging leaders can have a profound impact on the agriculture industry’s future. Understanding and leveraging precision agriculture, AI-driven tools, IoT, and smart farming technologies can significantly enhance productivity and efficiency. Leaders must develop strategies and solutions that help mitigate the risks posed by changing weather patterns, droughts, and floods. Regardless of whether you are in the corporate, government, or NGO sector, leverage your knowledge and experience to empower farmers. Share insights, facilitate access to information, and break down barriers to help them adopt better practices and technologies. Remember, it’s about translating your expertise into actionable knowledge that reaches the farmlands and improves farmers' livelihoods. When farmers prosper, it reflects the success of our work and our duty to give back to the community and the nation.
Sambit Satapathy, Managing Director, Akshay Seeds
Sambit Satapathy is the Managing Director of Akshay Seeds, a leader in the seed industry. With a focus on innovation, sustainable growth, and talent development, he has driven the company to new heights, setting benchmarks in agricultural advancements and contributing to the future of farming in India.
In light of your strong experience within the industry, what advice would you give to budding industry leaders?
For budding industry leaders, my advice is to stay true to your roots and deeply understand the challenges faced by farmers today. By keeping a farmer centric approach and staying committed to innovation, sustainability, environmentally friendly methods, and collaboration, emerging leaders can have a profound impact on the agriculture industry’s future. Understanding and leveraging precision agriculture, AI-driven tools, IoT, and smart farming technologies can significantly enhance productivity and efficiency. Leaders must develop strategies and solutions that help mitigate the risks posed by changing weather patterns, droughts, and floods. Regardless of whether you are in the corporate, government, or NGO sector, leverage your knowledge and experience to empower farmers. Share insights, facilitate access to information, and break down barriers to help them adopt better practices and technologies. Remember, it’s about translating your expertise into actionable knowledge that reaches the farmlands and improves farmers' livelihoods. When farmers prosper, it reflects the success of our work and our duty to give back to the community and the nation.
Sambit Satapathy, Managing Director, Akshay Seeds
Sambit Satapathy is the Managing Director of Akshay Seeds, a leader in the seed industry. With a focus on innovation, sustainable growth, and talent development, he has driven the company to new heights, setting benchmarks in agricultural advancements and contributing to the future of farming in India.