Prof. Ashok Sangappa Alur is a distinguished Agricultural Scientist, Policy Expert, Institution Builder and a Visionary Leader in Agriculture, Horticulture & Higher Education landscapes. He is currently serving as the First Vice Chancellor of Kodagu University in Karnataka. With over 25 years of experience, he has made remarkable contributions to agriculture, horticulture, higher education, Natural Resource Management, Food Security & Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). A strong advocate of millets & forgotten foods, he is leading initiatives to promote climate-resilient agriculture and enhance rural livelihoods.

Previously, he served as the (1) First Vice Chancellor of Bhartiya Engineering, Science & Technology University, Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh & laid a strong foundation to the new university (2) As a Special officer at University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot, he played a pivotal role in establishing new Horticultural University &Specialized research institutions along with state-of-the-art agricultural research infrastructure. (3) As the First Director of Centre of Excellence for FPOs, he was instrumental in setting up of this institute & spearheaded the promotion and capacity building of over 1250 FPOs in Karnataka. He played a key role in formulating the Karnataka State FPO Policy-2018 , thus benefiting over one million farming families (4) He has also held leadership role in implementing a Prestigious International Program of CFC and FAO at International Crops research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)in Asia (5)He was instrumental in planning & implementation of NRM & watershed Programs in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu under the Swiss Agency for Development & Cooperation &Agriculture-Man-Ecology. (6) He led the team of experts for land Resource Inventorization of 300 micro watersheds, development of resources atlas & Decision Support Systems for land & water management under World Bank funded program in Karnataka (7) He has served as Honorary Adviser for the Technical Advisory teams to implement Food Security Programs in Mozambique and Kingdom of Swaziland in South East Africa. He has also contributed to several international collaborations, soil health programs, watershed Development programs & initiatives to address Hunger and Malnutrition across Asia and Africa.

A renowned orator & a thought leader, Prof. Ashok Alur is deeply influenced by Philosophy of Lord Basaveshwara & staunch follower of principle of “Work is Worship.” He has delivered several inspirational discourses, Ted Talks, over 150 keynote speeches worldwide, inspiring change through his vision for sustainable development. He has been honoured with over 20 International, 6 National, and 6 State awards. He has been serving on several high-power committees, technical missions, international delegations of state, national governments and international organizations such as World Bank, FAO, CFC, GEF, UNDP, SGP etc. He has visited over 50 countries on several international missions, delegations, assignments. He has guided several students for PG & doctoral research. He has published over 50 books, 30 bulletins, 65 scientific papers and 230 soil and water resources atlases. He writes regular columns several journals, magazines and newspapers. He continues to drive impactful initiatives, including his Mission Million Millet Farmers campaign, aiming to transform agriculture through innovation and inclusivity.