1970
First generation
The Ganesh variant · Anantapur, AP
P. Sudhakar Rao
Visionary horticultural consultant · 1970 – 2022
For half a century, Sudhakar Rao garu walked the fields of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Maharashtra as a horticultural consultant — at a time when most experts had given up on smallholders. He was among the first to introduce the Ganesh pomegranate variant to South India, transforming Anantapur — one of India's most drought-prone districts — into a viable horticulture economy.
Secretary, All India Pomegranate Growers Association
Member, MIDH — Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture, Government of India
Counselled lakhs of farmers across four states — for free, for fifty years
He made agriculture viable at a time when everyone else was telling farmers to back out. That conviction is the bedrock of Cold Konnect.
Government of India appointments
NHB
Director · National Pomegranate Growers Association
ICAR-IIHR
Member · Research Advisory Committee
MIDH
Member · Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture
