Abhilash Dwivedy: Revolutionizing Aquaculture By Democratizing Advanced Technologies & Sustainable Practices
Abhilash Dwivedy
Chief Growth Officer
Technological complexity restricts adoption among small and mid-sized farmers, and issues like water pollution, disease outbreaks, and inefficient supply chains hinder profitability. Abhilash Dwivedy, Chief Growth Officer of Odisha-based Aquapulse, is helping aquafarmers tackle these challenges by democratizing tailored, world class solutions and advanced technologies to minimize post-harvest losses, enhance efficiency, and promote sustainability in aquaculture.
We are talking about a gamut of bespoke solutions, including smart application for Pond Monitoring, Farmer interaction, AI Solutions for aquaculture value chain with climate updates, pricing and lot more. Through vernacular mobile apps and grassroots training programs, Aquapulse is comprehensively dedicated to farmer empower - ment.
Abhilash is strengthening every link in the value chain by taking a holistic approach to scaling aquaculture sustainably while keeping the farmer at the center. He is on a mission to establish Aquapulse as a global leader in precision aquaculture, improving productivity while fostering inclusive growth for rural farming communities. We are proud to have him for an exclusive interview.
As the CGO, what methods have you adopted for crafting and executing a thorough growth plan? Frank
I have always prioritized data-driven decision-making, ensuring every action within the organization is rooted in a clear understanding of existing and required data, irrespective of whether it concerns business hygiene, farmer development, or stakeholder expansion.
I place significant emphasis on fore casting, currently
maintaining a well-defined 60-month projection, which allows me to provide a structured roadmap when our co-founder or founder seeks guidance to go ahead. Our strategies are based on practical timelines with clearly outlined milestones, ensuring steady progress over the coming months and years.
Additionally, my experience in various cohorts has helped refine my ability to streamline processes effectively. This ensures that I stay aligned with the organization’s mission and strategic vision. We have incorporated KPIs and structured alignments to maintain operational efficiency, ensuring seamless execution across processes, operations, and stakeholder interactions.
Could you describe your leadership style?
Our organization takes great pride in being 70 percent women-led, a milestone that has strengthened with my involvement. My leadership is rooted in empathy and engagement, fostering one-on-one connections across all levels, ensuring that everyone is valued. Open dialogue encourages diverse perspectives, fueling innovation and adaptability. Rather than relying on traditional methods, we embrace new ideas to drive long-term success.
Beyond business, I emphasize team empowerment, fostering a positive work environment through teambuilding, learning, and collaboration. A motivated and fulfilled team enhances productivity and passion, shaping not just the company but a thriving community of growth.
How do you keep yourself up to date with online industry trends?
To stay informed and updated, I consistently engage with magazines, e-books, and industry reports, including insights from MPEDA, FAO, and India's startup ecosystem, as well as various government bodies in Odisha. Participation in summits and industry events allows me to network and gain firsthand knowledge, ensuring I remain aligned with the latest trends.
Additionally, I focus on emerging technologies such as AI integration, carbon credits for processing facilities, and sustainability measures. Continuous learning is a priority for me, and I rely on magazines, podcasts, and entrepreneurial insights to understand evolving business landscapes.
I actively follow market trends and financial data to stay ahead. Ultimately, keeping up with
Additionally, my experience in various cohorts has helped refine my ability to streamline processes effectively. This ensures that I stay aligned with the organization’s mission and strategic vision. We have incorporated KPIs and structured alignments to maintain operational efficiency, ensuring seamless execution across processes, operations, and stakeholder interactions.
Could you describe your leadership style?
Our organization takes great pride in being 70 percent women-led, a milestone that has strengthened with my involvement. My leadership is rooted in empathy and engagement, fostering one-on-one connections across all levels, ensuring that everyone is valued. Open dialogue encourages diverse perspectives, fueling innovation and adaptability. Rather than relying on traditional methods, we embrace new ideas to drive long-term success.
A motivated and fulfilled team enhances produc -tivity and passion, shaping not just a company but a thriving community of growth
Beyond business, I emphasize team empowerment, fostering a positive work environment through teambuilding, learning, and collaboration. A motivated and fulfilled team enhances productivity and passion, shaping not just the company but a thriving community of growth.
How do you keep yourself up to date with online industry trends?
To stay informed and updated, I consistently engage with magazines, e-books, and industry reports, including insights from MPEDA, FAO, and India's startup ecosystem, as well as various government bodies in Odisha. Participation in summits and industry events allows me to network and gain firsthand knowledge, ensuring I remain aligned with the latest trends.
Additionally, I focus on emerging technologies such as AI integration, carbon credits for processing facilities, and sustainability measures. Continuous learning is a priority for me, and I rely on magazines, podcasts, and entrepreneurial insights to understand evolving business landscapes.
I actively follow market trends and financial data to stay ahead. Ultimately, keeping up with
relevant information ensures business success, enabling informed decision-making and strategic growth.
What is the future road map you have envisioned?
My focus is on expanding to a global scale. Currently, we have a strong presence in eastern India and select geographies. Over the next 12 to 18 months, we will establish a strong foothold in the Middle East. This expansion will help shape the aquaculture industry by analyzing consumer behavior in global markets and raising awareness about traceability, antibioticfree Seafood, and essential nutrients like vitamins and proteins, all of which Seafood provides directly.
Over the next 18 to 36 months, I aim to extend our presence to the US and Europe, ensuring that the network we are building is strategically positioned for long-term impact. Ultimately, I aspire to feature among the top 500 industry leaders, show casing our passion vision, and transformative contributions to the aquaculture space.
What piece of advice would you like to pass on to the upcoming leaders?
Success is built on domain-specific expertise, and I encourage aspiring leaders to deepen their knowledge in their respective fields. While adaptability is valuable, true effectiveness comes from mastering a core discipline, enabling one to tackle challenges, manage complex tasks, and drive impactful results. Though it requires time and effort, a long-term vision ensures sustainable success.
Maintaining focus on domain knowledge is crucial. Short-term opportunities can often lead to diversification at the cost of core strengths. My advice is simple, ‘prioritize your strengths first to create a lasting impact’. Continuous learning, seeking guidance from industry leaders, and active listening foster meaningful growth and decision-making, shaping an inclusive and forward thinking leadership style.
Abhilash Dwivedy, Chief Growth Officer, Aquapulse
An alumnus of Utkal University who is currently undergoing Executive Management Course at IIM Rohtak, Abhilash is a result-oriented professional committed to revolutionizing the agri-allied ecosystem, with a decade of dynamic experience in agribusiness and a passion for innovation in aquaculture.
•Hobbies: Traveling and exploring Seafood
•Favorite Travel Destination: Dubai and the Middle East
•Favorite Book: You Can Win by Shiv Khera
•Favorite Cuisine: Seafood of Goa and Odisha
What is the future road map you have envisioned?
My focus is on expanding to a global scale. Currently, we have a strong presence in eastern India and select geographies. Over the next 12 to 18 months, we will establish a strong foothold in the Middle East. This expansion will help shape the aquaculture industry by analyzing consumer behavior in global markets and raising awareness about traceability, antibioticfree Seafood, and essential nutrients like vitamins and proteins, all of which Seafood provides directly.
Over the next 18 to 36 months, I aim to extend our presence to the US and Europe, ensuring that the network we are building is strategically positioned for long-term impact. Ultimately, I aspire to feature among the top 500 industry leaders, show casing our passion vision, and transformative contributions to the aquaculture space.
What piece of advice would you like to pass on to the upcoming leaders?
Success is built on domain-specific expertise, and I encourage aspiring leaders to deepen their knowledge in their respective fields. While adaptability is valuable, true effectiveness comes from mastering a core discipline, enabling one to tackle challenges, manage complex tasks, and drive impactful results. Though it requires time and effort, a long-term vision ensures sustainable success.
Maintaining focus on domain knowledge is crucial. Short-term opportunities can often lead to diversification at the cost of core strengths. My advice is simple, ‘prioritize your strengths first to create a lasting impact’. Continuous learning, seeking guidance from industry leaders, and active listening foster meaningful growth and decision-making, shaping an inclusive and forward thinking leadership style.
Abhilash Dwivedy, Chief Growth Officer, Aquapulse
An alumnus of Utkal University who is currently undergoing Executive Management Course at IIM Rohtak, Abhilash is a result-oriented professional committed to revolutionizing the agri-allied ecosystem, with a decade of dynamic experience in agribusiness and a passion for innovation in aquaculture.
•Hobbies: Traveling and exploring Seafood
•Favorite Travel Destination: Dubai and the Middle East
•Favorite Book: You Can Win by Shiv Khera
•Favorite Cuisine: Seafood of Goa and Odisha