Faculty Distinguished Faculty

Dr. Ravi Khetarpal, Executive Secretary of Asia Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI) since 2017 in Bangkok, leads regional initiatives and oversees projects supported by FAO, EU, WTO, ACIAR, COA, and USDA. He focuses on advancing knowledge management, agricultural innovation systems, science and technology indicators, phytosanitary compliance, and pesticide risk reduction across Asia-Pacific.

He also chairs the Tropical Agricultural Platform (TAP) and the Global Forum of Agricultural Research and Innovation (GFAR) at FAO. Previously, Dr. Khetarpal served as Regional Director and Advisor for CABI â?? South Asia, with over three decades dedicated to India's National Agricultural System, specializing in plant protection.

Dr. Khetarpal holds a PhD in Life Sciences (Plant Pathology) from the University of Paris and has conducted research at INRA, France. His expertise includes research, policy development, and capacity building in plant protection, biosecurity, seed certification, and biodiversity conservation.

He has led twelve FAO/World Bank/USDA projects and represented Asia in the STDF Working Group at WTO. Dr. Khetarpal has authored 110 research papers, 18 books, and numerous book chapters and policy papers, including co-editing a notable publication on Plant Virus Disease Control by the American Phytopathological Society, USA.