Dr. Nithin Kumar C J is an accomplished agricultural scientist and regulatory professional with over six years of progressive experience spanning horticultural research, plant breeding, regulatory affairs, and intellectual property management. He holds a Ph.D. in Horticulture (Fruit Science) from the University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot, along with postgraduate diplomas in Intellectual Property Rights, Dairy Technology, and Ornamental & Landscape Gardening, reflecting a rare blend of scientific depth and regulatory expertise.
He has made a significant contribution to biodiversity conservation through the survey, collection, and conservation of wild aromatic pickling mangoes in the Western Ghats region, successfully conserving 134 unique genotypes out of 247, thereby strengthening genetic resource preservation efforts.
Currently, Dr. Nithin is associated with Kaveri Seeds Company Ltd, one of India’s leading agricultural seed companies with a strong national and international R&D presence. His work focuses on research and product development, providing legal, regulatory, and business support to R&D, marketing, product development, and sales teams, while also ensuring environmental safety and regulatory compliance.
He plays a pivotal techno-administrative and regulatory role, offering strategic support in R&D budget planning, project monitoring, SOP management, germplasm licensing and inventory management, variety evaluation, breeder seed production, and import–export compliance in accordance with DGFT and OECD guidelines. He has been instrumental in plant variety registration and protection, managing submissions to regulatory authorities such as DSIR, NBA, IBSC, and GEAC, and fostering collaborations with ICAR and international research institutions.
Previously, Dr. Nithin worked with the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India. There, he contributed extensively to DUS characterization, stability analysis, hybrid seed production, and variety registration under the PPV&FR Act, 2001, across cereals, pulses, oilseeds, vegetables, flowers, and fibre crops, strengthening national variety evaluation systems and regulatory compliance.
Widely trained in plant biosecurity, integrated pest management, extension education, protected cultivation, and IPR, Dr. Nithin is a prolific researcher with 13 published research papers, numerous articles, and contributions to book chapters. He is also a recipient of multiple merit scholarships and national awards. Recognized for his leadership, precision, and scientific integrity, he continues to drive innovation and regulatory excellence in India’s seed and horticulture sector.