Shri Devesh Chaturvedi, IAS (1989 Batch, Uttar Pradesh Cadre), is the Secretary, Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India. An IIT Kanpur graduate and Princeton-trained public policy expert, he has held senior roles in finance, personnel, and rural development. With over three decades of administrative experience, he now leads India’s agricultural transformation, focusing on digital innovation, sustainable farming, and strengthening farmer welfare initiatives nationwide.
Secretary, Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
📅 Appointed: June 2024
🏛️ Government of India — Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
👔 Position: Secretary, Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW)
🌾 Major Responsibilities:
Overseeing national agricultural programs and farmer welfare schemes
Coordinating flagship missions such as PM-KISAN, PMFBY, and Digital Agriculture Mission 2.0
Strengthening Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and agri-startup ecosystems
💬 Works in close coordination with Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan and MoS Shri Bhagirath Choudhary
📈 Focuses on agricultural productivity, sustainability, and farmer income security through data integration and digital platforms
Additional Secretary (Administration), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
📅 Promoted to handle administrative, personnel, and coordination divisions within DA&FW
🏢 Supervised inter-departmental collaboration between ICAR, DARE, and state agri departments
🌱 Strengthened institutional mechanisms for monitoring agricultural schemes through data-driven dashboards
Additional Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
📅 Appointed: 2020
🏛️ Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India
🧾 Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW)
🌾 Oversaw implementation of:
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)
National Food Security Mission (NFSM)
Soil Health Card & Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)
🤝 Worked closely with state governments on crop diversification, organic farming, and farmer insurance schemes
Additional Secretary & Principal Secretary Roles
📅 Held key positions in the Government of Uttar Pradesh and Government of India
🏢 Departments / Ministries:
Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance — oversaw public sector banking and financial inclusion programs
Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) — introduced digital feedback systems and e-office models
🏆 Led modernization in administrative practices, contributing to India’s Digital Governance Index
Senior Administrative & Policy Roles
🏛️ Government of Uttar Pradesh
🧾 Departments Served:
Planning & Programme Implementation – Principal Secretary
Revenue & Land Reforms – Commissioner
Urban Development Department – Principal Secretary
🌆 Led Smart City initiatives and e-Governance reforms in urban planning
🌱 Advocated decentralized planning and participatory governance models
🏛️ Government of India (Deputation Periods):
Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) – Ministry of Finance
Joint Secretary, Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) – Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
💬 Known for improving efficiency in personnel management and HR reforms in civil services
Early IAS Career (Uttar Pradesh Cadre)
📅 Joined the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) – 1989 Batch, Uttar Pradesh Cadre
🏛️ Key Field Assignments:
Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Gorakhpur
District Magistrate (DM), Jhansi & Kanpur Dehat
Commissioner, Agra Division
🌾 Worked extensively in rural development, irrigation projects, and administrative reforms
🏆 Recognized for effective governance and transparent land record management systems
Early Life & Education
📍 Birthplace: Uttar Pradesh, India
🎓 Education:
B.Tech (Electronics Engineering) – Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur
Master’s in Public Policy – Princeton University, USA
🧠 Known for his analytical acumen, administrative efficiency, and technology-driven policy perspective
🌾 Focuses on reform-based governance and digital transformation in agriculture and administration