Pradeep Jaipuria is a pioneering entrepreneur with over five decades of experience in neem, agri-biotech, and sustainable agriculture. A Chemical Engineering graduate from the esteemed Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB), he began his career as a Process Design Engineer in the Chemicals and Fertilizers sector with a leading EPC firm.

In 1973, he founded Agro Extracts Ltd. in Bangalore, setting up a solvent extraction plant to produce vegetable oils from oilseeds. By the late 1980s, the company had grown into India’s largest collector and processor of neem, spearheading innovation in neem-based agri-solutions. Leveraging his IITB design project, he established a phthalates manufacturing unit in 1980 under the same banner.

In 1991, in technical partnership with W.R. Grace & Co., Mr. Jaipuria founded P J Margo Pvt. Ltd., the world’s first commercial-scale Azadirachtin production facility, developed entirely in-house. Continuing his vision for sustainable agriculture, he launched Margo Biocontrols Pvt. Ltd. in 1995, introducing Azadirachtin-based bio-pesticides to the Indian market.

Today, under his visionary leadership, P J Margo is a global leader in neem-based solutions, offering biopesticides, biofertilizers, and biostimulants, and is India’s largest exporter of neem oil—championing eco-friendly, residue-free agriculture worldwide.

In 1973, he started Agro Extracts Ltd in Bangalore, establishing a solvent extraction plant for producing vegetable oils from oilseeds. Agro Extracts emerged as India’s largest collector and processor of neem by the late 1980s. In 1980, leveraging his final-year design project at IITB, Mr Jaipuria set up a phthalates manufacturing unit in Agro Extracts.

In 1991, Mr Jaipuria in Technical Collaboration with M/s W R Grance & Co, started P J Margo Pvt. Ltd., focused on the extraction of Azadirachtin, a key biopesticide ingredient derived from neem seeds. PJ Margo is the world’s first commercial-scale Azadirachtin production facility, designed and scaled up in-house by Mr Jaipuria’s team.

In 1995, Margo Biocontrols Pvt. Ltd., a 100% subsidiary of P J Margo and its marketing arm, introduced Azadirachtin-based pesticide formulations to the Indian market—marking a significant milestone in eco-friendly agricultural practices.

Today, under Mr Jaipuria’s visionary leadership, P J Margo is a global leader in neem-based solutions, recognized for its innovative range of bio-pesticides, bio-fertilizers, and biostimulants. The company is also the largest exporter of neem oil from India, playing a pivotal role in advancing sustainable agriculture worldwide.

Mr. Praveen Jaipuria along with Mr. Pradeep Jaipuria promoted PJ Margo in 1991 and has been its Founder and Executive Director since inception.  Along with Mr. Pradeep Jaipuria and in Technical Collaboration with W R Grace and Company, PJ Margo set up the world’s first commercial-scale facility to manufacture Azadirachtin, a biopesticidal active ingredient derived from neem seed.

Over the years, P J Margo along with its wholly owned subsidiary Margo Bio Controls has diversified and today manufactures and markets a range of Biological Agri Inputs such as Botanical Extracts, Bio stimulants, Bio pesticides and Bio fertilizers.

He is also the Founder and Joint Managing Director of Agro Extracts Limited.  Since 1976 along with Mr. Pradeep Jaipuria “Agro Extracts pioneered the large-scale collection and processing of Neem Fruits and Seeds into Neem Oil ,Neem Oil Cake and de-oiled cake. Over the years, Agro Extracts became the largest processor of Neem Fruits and Seeds in the country”. 

 Mr. Praveen Jaipuria B.com (Hons), started his career in the Textile Industry, serving as Executive Officer at Oriental Cotton Cultivation & Mills Ltd., lessees of Adoni Cotton Mills Ltd., from 1972 to 1976.  In this role, he was responsible for production planning, statistical quality control, and managing purchase and sale for a  12,000 Spindle Cotton Yarn Spinning Mill.  Prior to that, from 1970 to 1973, he was in-charge of Gajadhar Puranmall’s Power Loom Division, overseeing costing, production programming and day-today operations.

Dr. Jow-Lih Su is an Executive Board Member of Certis Biologicals, a subsidiary of Mitsui & Co in Japan. Previously, he was CEO and Board Member of Certis Biologicals and its predecessor companies for a total of 19 years, building the company from its start-up stage to a global leader in biological pesticides. During 2001 to 2008, Dr. Jow Lih Su also served as President of Mitsui AgriScience International Inc, a US holding company, where he led or participated in various M&A projects in the AgriScience Division of Mitsui & Co.

Dr. Jow Lih Su holds a PhD degree and a Bs degree in Chemical Engineering from University of Pennsylvania (US) and National Taiwan University (Taiwan), and a MBA degree from University of Maryland (US).

A seasoned management consultant with over four decades of rich experience, he holds a B.Tech from IIT Madras (1973), a Postgraduate Diploma in Industrial Engineering from the National Productivity Council (1975), and is a Fellow Member of the Institute of Cost & Management Accountants of India.

His professional journey spans 40 years of full-time management consulting. He retired as Senior Director (Management Consulting) from Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India Pvt. Ltd.(DTTIPL) in 2015.

Throughout his consulting career, he has led and delivered a broad spectrum of assignments across strategy, operations, and cost management.

Mr Thiruvengadam serves as independent director on the boards of many Companies. Additionally, he plays an advisory role for the Total Cost Management (TCM) Cell of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), promoting best practices in cost competitiveness and resource optimization across Indian industries.

A warm, culturally adaptive, and pragmatic leader, he brings over 25 years of hands-on experience across a diverse range of geographies, industries, and business models. Tarang has served assignments in Japan, India and USA and managed businesses globally. His deep understanding of global markets is complemented by a strong foundation in agribusiness,international business development, strategic alliances, and operational leadership.

Academically, he holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Agriculture and Animal Husbandry from G. B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, and an Executive Master’s in International Business from the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT, New Delhi)

Currently serving as Vice President – International Business at Certis Biologicals, a subsidiary of Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (Japan), he leads the global business of biological crop protection solutions. He also serves on the Board of Bharat Certis Agriscience Ltd.

A Chartered Accountant with over 21 years of audit experience, including tenure as an Audit Partner at Price Waterhouse from 1992 to 2013. Admitted to partnership in 1997 in Lovelock & Lewes, a member firm of Coopers & Lybrand, Usha A. Narayanan was among the first women to achieve this milestone. 

As Lead Engagement Partner, she handled audits of major Indian listed companies and Indian subsidiaries of global multinationals. From 2009 to 2013, she served on the PwC India Assurance Leadership Team, leading transformation and change management initiatives. Her core strengths include risk assessment, internal controls, Company Law, and the application of accounting and auditing standards.

She currently serves on the boards of Navi Technologies Ltd, Navi Finserve Ltd, Navi General Insurance Ltd, and as Nominee Director for PJ Margo and Margo Bio Controls. She also chairs Audit Committees for two of these companies. In the non-profit sector, she is on the board of Junior Achievement India Services. Her previous board roles include being a Director and Audit Committee Chair at Bank of Baroda, and board memberships with Social Venture Partners, SubK Impact Solutions Ltd, and Chaitanya India Pvt Ltd.

She holds an FCA from ICAI (1984), is a qualified Company Secretary (ICSI, 1989), and is a B.Com graduate from Madras University (1979).