Work

In his career spanning over 36 years, Dr. Pattanayak, has made noticeable contribution to administration and development, especially in the field of agriculture and horticulture. As founder Director of National Horticulture Mission, his contributions have impacted the accelerated horticulture development in the country. As Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, GOI, his leadership resulted in India witnessing a sort of pulse revolution during the year 2016-17, when the production of pulses jumped from existing 17 million tons to that of 24 million tons and he has also been credited for the turnaround of NAFED by providing an enabling environment to the organization to realize its true potential. He has been also instrumental in developing a new strategic framework and vision for “Doubling of Farmers Income” and as a part of this vision, many new initiatives like Soil Health Cards, Affordable Crop insurance Scheme, Electronic National Agriculture Market (an electronic platform for price discovery and trading)

Dr. Pattanayak joined the Karnataka cadre of IAS and served in various capacities viz. Assistant Commissioner, Kundapur, Project Director Rural Development Society, Raichur, Director of Fisheries, Karnataka, Secretary, Paradip Port Trust, Odisha, Deputy Commissioner, Kodagu, Chief Executive Officer, Zilla Panchayat, Kodagu, Registrar of University of Mysore and Deputy Commissioner of Uttara Kannada district. He played a significant role as Director of Watershed Development, Director of Horticulture and Secretary, Department of Ecology Environment, Karnataka. He also served as Excise Commissioner, Karnataka, Chairman, Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board Bangalore, Mission Director, National Horticulture Mission, Government of India, Minister (Agriculture) & Alternate Permanent Representative of India to FAO, WFP and IFAD in Rome, Principal Secretary, Energy Department, Karnataka and Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, Government of Karnataka, Bangalore.

Dr Pattanayak has been responsible for the formulation and implementation of national policies and programs aimed at achieving rapid agricultural growth through optimum utilization of the country’s land, water, soil and natural resources to secure the lives and livelihoods of the small holder farmers and for ensuring the food security of the country. He has also been responsible for implementation of measures for sustainable development in accordance with Agenda 21 and International Conventions, and also successfully implemented environmental projects assisted by NORAD & GTZ, especially relating to restoration of dying lakes, reforestation of barren landmasses and development of pico-hydel projects.