Dr AK Krishna Kumar is Former Principal Advisor, IL&FS Cluster Development  Initiative Pvt Ltd. He established the agri,food processing and rural enterprises development vertical in IL&FS and  was heading the Cluster based initiatives of the Company in sectors like textiles, leather, agri & food processing, dairy, rubber etc. and has conceptualized and implemented several value chain projects across sectors in India and  Africa. He also spearheaded the development of regional economic /area development projects embracing the principles of growth pole and regional competitive advantage. He has also handled many prestigious assignments with multi-lateral and bilateral organisations . Dr krishna Kumar also was heading the international operations of IL&FS cluster development initiative. Besides he has also designed skill and capacity development programmes in Agri and food processing sectors  He has served on many committees of the Govt of India, state governments and industry and trade associations.

Prior to joining IL&FS he was the Rubber Production Commissioner and Ex Officico Member of the Rubber Board under Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India. He has served on several committees of Govt. of India, Academic and Research Institutions at various levels including policy making. He has more than 70 publications and has guided Ph.d and Post graduate students. He is widely travelled and is a passionate development professional with focus on creating institutions which can provide economies of scale under robust institutional frame work of marginal and small  producers across sectors