The International Potato Center (CIP) has officially announced the appointment of Dr. Neeraj Sharma as its new Country Manager for India. This significant appointment is set to take effect on June 9, 2025. In his new capacity, Dr. Sharma will be responsible for spearheading CIP’s strategic engagement, overseeing its science portfolio, and managing the operational presence of the organisation within India.
Dr. Sharma is a highly accomplished and seasoned agricultural scientist, bringing with him over two decades of valuable experience accumulated from his work across Asia, Africa, and North America. His professional background is rich with expertise, particularly in the critical areas of potato breeding, seed systems, and value chain development. Throughout his career, his work has encompassed diverse fields, including research, fostering public-private partnerships, engaging in policy dialogue, and contributing to the conservation and utilisation of agrobiodiversity.
Dr. Sharma holds a Ph.D. in Agriculture, having specialised in Vegetable Science, with a focus on Plant Breeding and Seed Technology. His foundational education was also completed in India, where he earned both his Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Agriculture from Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University.
As the newly appointed Country Manager for India, Dr. Sharma’s mandate will involve several key strategic and operational responsibilities. His focus areas will include:
- Advancing country-level implementation of the CIP2030 strategy.
- Driving resource mobilization and fostering equitable partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholders, including donors, government bodies, and research institutions.
- Overseeing CIP operations in India, working closely with global teams to ensure strategic alignment and operational excellence.
Dr. Sharma is not new to the International Potato Center. He first joined CIP in 2008, initially serving as a Potato Breeder in India. Following this, he took on the role of Associate Scientist in Vietnam, where he played a crucial leadership role in managing the TAP-5 project. This project was notable for operating under a public-private partnership model. Beyond his time at CIP, Dr. Sharma has held significant leadership positions in the private sector. His experience at Tuberosum Technologies Inc. in Canada and PepsiCo India has been instrumental in equipping him with strong capabilities. Specifically, these roles have honed his skills in research management, team building, and driving innovation within potato research and development (R&D).
In his role as Country Manager, Dr. Sharma will be based in New Delhi. From this location, he is set to play a key role in enhancing CIP’s contributions to India’s broader food systems. This effort will particularly concentrate on areas vital for the future of agriculture in the region: sustainable agriculture, building climate resilience, and ensuring nutrition security. His extensive background in potato breeding, seed systems, and value chain development, combined with his experience in both research and public-private partnerships, positions him well to lead CIP’s efforts in these critical areas.
The International Potato Center, which has its Headquarters located in Lima, Peru, globally supports its work through the contributions made by various donors and organisations to the CGIAR Trust Fund. This announcement signifies CIP’s commitment to strengthening its presence and impact in India under the experienced leadership of Dr. Neeraj Sharma. The publication announcing this appointment is copyrighted by the International Potato Center (CIP) and is licensed for use under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
