Hyderabad’s Agri entrepreneur, who created new export categories for India honoured by UAS Bengaluru
Hyderabad, May 16, 2026: In a rare and significant recognition, the University of Agricultural Sciences Bangalore conferred an Honorary Doctorate on its former student, Hyderabad-based agripreneur Dr GVK Naidu, Founder and Managing Director of Sam Agritech, during its 60th Convocation Ceremony.
UAS is India’s premier agricultural university and among the country’s oldest institutions dedicated to agricultural education, research and extension. Thaawarchand Gehlot, Governor and Chancellor of the University of Agricultural Sciences, presided over the function and formally presented the Doctorate.
The honour is considered exceptional, as agricultural universities seldom confer honorary doctorates upon their own alumni. It recognises Dr Naidu’s pioneering contribution to India’s fresh produce export sector and his role in transforming agricultural innovation into globally competitive business models.
Responding to the recognition, Dr Naidu said, “I never imagined that the university where I once studied would one day honour me with a doctorate. This recognition belongs to the farmers, employees, and partners who have been part of this journey.”
Founded in 1996, Sam Agritech has emerged as one of India’s leading integrated exporters of fresh and value-added produce. The company has played a key role in developing new export categories from India, including fresh pomegranate arils, fresh-cut coconut chunks, fresh figs, dried arils, and ready-to-eat fruit segments.
In recent years, the company has also diversified into high-value crops such as Hass avocado cultivation, blueberry initiatives, and almond processing, aligning with evolving global demand trends and expanding India’s horticulture footprint.
Sam Agritech operates a fully integrated farm-to-market ecosystem across South India, including nurseries, captive farms, high-care processing facilities, and international marketing networks. It is also recognised for establishing multi-locational high-care processing units near cultivation zones, enhancing product freshness and food safety.
The company adheres to global standards, including HACCP, ISO, Global GAP, BRC, US FDA, SMETA, and Fair Trade certifications, and has made a notable social impact, with over 90 per cent of its workforce comprising women in rural processing operations.
Industry observers describe the honour as recognition of the growing importance of value addition, innovation, and market-linked agriculture in India’s agri sector.-