Mr. Mandava Prabhakar Rao, aged 62 years is from a reputed agricultural family (born to SriM Venkatramaiah and Smt. Rama Devi), hailing from Guntur District in Andhra Pradesh, India. Mr.Prabhakar Rao is an alumnus of Benares Hindu University and stood second in the University in B.Sc (Agriculture) and achieved 1st rank in M.Sc (Agriculture). He is also recipient of Gold Medal and Merit Scholarship in his Post Graduation. He is Chairman of NSL Group of Companies.

Taking over the family owned seed company Nuziveedu Seeds Limited in 1982, with rapid growth, despite stiff competition from MNCs, led the company to become the largest seed company in India. Developed several superior Cotton Hybrids and many leading Hybrids in Rice, Corn and Vegetables which are most popular amongst the farmers. About half the cotton produced in India will have genetics of lines developed by him. He has been working through his company for cotton productivity improvement through High Density Planting for increasing farmer profitability. The company promoted direct sowing in rice as part of its CSR activitywhich benefitted the farmers in reducing the water requirement and increasing the profitability in the Krishna River Delta region. He made pioneer efforts in making new technologies available to the farmers at affordable price. Particularly, because of his singular efforts Bt cotton seed prices came down drastically and became affordable to the farmers. He has been instrumental in bridging the gap, recently, between the technology developers and seed companies, which is considered to be a great service to Indian agriculture.

Spread of proprietary rice varieties throughout India first time by an Indian private seed company viz Nuziveedu Seeds Limited is his landmark achievement. He has developed favourable policy framework for domestic seed companies in particular for MSME companies. He worked on seed production technology to enhance yields and profits to seed growers. His contribution to R&D in cotton and seed technology is immense. Apart from managing diversified businesses, Mr. Rao has a very active participation in various Industry Bodies.

To name a few,
Founder Member - National Seed Association of India (NSAI)
President - NSAI 2007-09 & From 2013 – Till Date
Member - ICAR National Agricultural Education Accreditation Board (NAEAB) (From 2020 for a period 3 years)
Chairman - FICCI – Andhra Pradesh State Council (2016-2019)
Member - Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights Authority (PPVFR Authority) (2016-2019)
Chairman - Committee on Agriculture, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) (2015)
Member - Cotton Advisory Board, Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India (2007 to 2013)
Member - Textiles Committee, Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India (2012-13)
Member - Central Seed Committee, Ministry of Agriculture, Govt of India (2010-12)
Member - Board of International Seed Federation representing India (2010-12)
Board Member - Acharya N.G Ranga Agricultural University, Hyderabad (2007-11)
Member - Central Seed Certification Board, Govt. of India (1995-1997 & 2003-2005)
President - Andhra Pradesh Seedsmen Association (2001-2003)
Past President - CEO Clubs India, Hyderabad Chapter (Presently, He is a member)

A widely travelled person. As a member of Indian Seed Team, sponsored by USAID, toured several developed countries in Europe, USA and Japan to study the seed industry for adopting improved technologies in the domestic seed industry.

Participated in several international and national conferences on seeds held in India and abroad. Presented several papers both in national and international fora.

He has received many awards from National and International establishments such as best In-house R & D National award from DSIR 2002, Best Wind Farm award in 2007, Bio-Agri Company of the year 2008, Agriculture leadership award 2009 and International CEO Club award 2009.

In order to honour the Indian Agricultural Scientists for their outstanding achievements, he had sponsored Prof. M.S.Swaminathan Award through Retired ICAR Employees Association.

In addition to his contribution to the seed industry, he has also contributed for substantial industrialization by making combined investments of about Rs. 10,000 Crores (USD 2 Billion) in Power, Textiles, Integrated Sugar Factories, IT Infrastructure in the form of IT Parks, IT SEZs etc. The Group employs about 20,000 people directly.

He has been pioneering work on enhancing of farm productivity in the crops of cotton, sugar cane, paddy and maize through introduction of new agronomic techniques throughout India to make agriculture environmentally sustainable and economically viable.

He is at the forefront of discharging Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives and has established a charitable trust, Mandava Foundation that plays a key role in the development of Rural India by contributing in the sectors of Education, Health Care, and agricultural productivity initiatives etc.

He is the President of The Swarna Bharat Trust (SBT) Vijayawada Chapter which organizes many social activities like skill Development courses for unemployed youth, vocational training to rural women, computer courses to rural boys and girls. agricultural training to local farmers on the recent technologies with special reference to natural farming. This Trust is also rendering medical services to the rural people at their door steps.