Sanjiv Kanwar is the Managing Director of Yara South Asia and the country head for Yara India, a wholly owned subsidiary of Yara International, headquartered in Oslo, Norway. The company entered the Indian market in 2011, starting in Pune, Maharashtra, and has since expanded its operations to over 19 states across the country.

Sanjiv is a dynamic and results-driven leader with extensive experience in the Indian agricultural industry. As the head of Yara’s business in India, his focus has been on driving growth and innovation across all aspects of the company’s operations. Over the last two decades, Sanjiv has played a key role in transforming Yara’s approach to doing business in India from a physical only to a mix of physical and digital.

Sanjiv is a strategic thinker who prioritizes customer-centricity in all aspects of Yara’s business in India. He understands the unique needs and preferences of Indian farmers, retailers and tailors Yara’s products and services to meet those needs. He is an active industry voice and thought leader with four decades of experience, regularly sharing his insights and perspectives on key trends and issues facing the sector. He is also well-connected within the industry, building strategic partnerships with key stakeholders such as government agencies, trade bodies, industry associations and other bilateral international organizations.

Sanjiv has chaired and been members of large number of committees, at national and international level such as Norwegian Business Association of India (NBAI), Fertiliser Association of India (FAI), Indian Micronutrient Committee, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and World Economic Forum (WEF) in India. Sanjiv’s views are also sought by national media.
His contributions have garnered numerous awards and recognitions such as FICCI Agriculture Sustainability Awards, Employer of the Future by Leadup Universe, Great Place to Work 2024 certified. A regular speaker at industry forums, Sanjiv’s areas of interest are agriculture, food and nutrition. He also supports and mentors some of the agri startups in India.

Sanjiv comes with a wealth of experience in the Indian agricultural industry, having held various roles at Norsk Hydro, Sabic, Indo Gulf Fertilisers, and PT Indo Bharat Rayon, Jakarta. He began his career at Indo Gulf Fertilisers, where he played a key role in strategic planning and execution. Since then, he has also held key roles at Sabic India Private Limited and Hydro Agri International.

Throughout his career, Sanjiv has demonstrated strong interpersonal skills and an ability to forge genuine relationships with team members. He has successfully infused every team he managed with a strong sense of purpose, driving results, and fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration. Sanjiv’s diverse experience and deep understanding of the Indian agricultural industry have been invaluable in his current role as the head of Yara’s business in India. His track record of success and leadership excellence position him well for continued growth and success.

Sanjiv holds an MBA in marketing from HP University, Shimla, and a BA degree in mathematics and economics from the Government College for Boys, Shimla. In his spare time, he enjoys reading historical fiction books, running, and riding motorcycles. His favourite writers include Simon Scarrow, Conn Iggulden, and Ben Kane. Sanjiv ran his first marathon at the age of 50 and is committed to maintaining a healthy work-life balance. He is also a strong advocate for safe riding practices and emphasizes the importance of proper gear and safety measures.