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Dr. Sangeeta Pant is a distinguished leader in plant sciences, bringing over fifteen years of expertise in plant biotechnology and the potato industry. With a strong academic foundation and a proven track record across corporate and entrepreneurial domains, she has consistently driven innovation, ensured world-class production standards, and championed the advancement of women in agriculture. Her career reflects a blend of scientific excellence, strategic vision, and a steadfast commitment to sustainable growth in the agri-biotech sector.
Educational Foundation and Early Career
Dr. Sangeeta’s academic and professional journey is rooted in a deep passion for plant science and biotechnology. She did her schooling from Kendriya Vidyalaya F.R.I, Dehradun-one of the reputed institutions known for its academic excellence and values. She holds a Ph.D. in Forest Biotechnology with a specialization in Plant Tissue Culture from the prestigious Forest Research Institute (FRI) University, Dehradun, and a Postgraduate degree in Biotechnology from H.N.B Garhwal University, Srinagar (Garhwal) Uttarakhand. Her doctoral research at F.R.I focused on the biotechnological propagation of multipurpose tree species, contributing valuable insights into sustainable forestry and advanced plant tissue culture techniques.
In 2010, Dr. Sangeeta embarked on her professional career with Saveer Biotech Limited based at Greater Noida, where she played a pivotal role in a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) project in partnership with the Government of Bihar. In this capacity, she gained extensive hands-on experience in large-scale agricultural biotechnology operations, overseeing the establishment and successful functioning of a commercial tissue culture laboratory. This early phase of her career honed her expertise in project execution, operational management, and innovation within the agri-biotech industry—laying the groundwork for her future leadership in the sector.
Entry into the Potato Industry
Dr. Sangeeta ’s foray into the potato industry began with PepsiCo in 2017, where she served as Lab Manager at the company’s Centre of Excellence for Minituber Production in Zahura—the nucleus of PepsiCo’s potato supply chain for Lay’s chips. She led tissue culture production and plant operations for minituber generation, earning the “Game Changers Appreciation Certificate” within just a few months for outstanding efforts and quality management.
In 2023, Dr. Sangeeta joined Technico Agri Sciences Limited (ITC Group company), a pioneer in quality potato seed production, as International Business Manager (IBM). Under her leadership, the company achieved remarkable growth—doubling exports and expanding into new global markets. Her strong client engagement and strategic grower development earned her multiple “Rapid Recognition Awards” and the prestigious “CEO Award”, underscoring her impact and excellence in the potato seed value chain.
Entrepreneurship and Expanded Leadership
After her tenure at PepsiCo, Dr. Sangeeta ventured into entrepreneurship, founding Poorna Agri Systems and providing consultancy for diverse agri-biotech and hydroponics projects—including running a plant tissue culture and hydroponics lab at Sharda University, Noida. Balancing professional ambition with family commitments, she took a brief career break before returning to the corporate sphere with renewed purpose.
At Technico Agri Sciences Limited (ITC Group Company), Dr. Sangeeta’s leadership quickly expanded beyond international business. She now also oversees operations at the world’s largest minituber production facility in Raipur Rani, near Chandigarh—a women-centric centre that stands as a model for female empowerment and excellence in agricultural biotechnology.
Insights on the Potato Industry and Women’s Role
Dr. Sangeeta envisions a dynamic future for India’s potato industry, which she notes is rapidly expanding and poised to surpass China as the world’s leading producer. She highlights the fast-growing processing segment, particularly the French Fries sector, as a major driver of this growth. She underscores the need for research on low-input, early-maturing, and region-specific potato varieties to address climate change challenges, reduce transportation losses, and boost local employment. Currently, she notes, no processing variety exists for southern India, presenting a key opportunity for innovation. Dr. Sangeeta also advocates for greater mechanization to mitigate labour shortages and enhance productivity, urging farmers to leverage climate data and modern techniques to adapt and thrive in changing environmental conditions.
Championing Women in Agriculture
Dr. Sangeeta is a passionate advocate for women’s empowerment in the potato industry. She believes women bring exceptional commitment, precision, and balance to their work—qualities that drive excellence in agriculture. Her leadership is exemplified by Technico’s women-centric minituber production facility, which provides meaningful employment and fosters inclusion in the sector. From a research scholar in plant biotechnology to a leader in the potato industry, Dr. Sangeeta’s journey reflects her technical acumen, visionary leadership, and dedication to social impact. Her focus on innovative potato varieties and women-led growth continues to shape the future of potatoes in India.
