Neeraj Sharma Named CIP India Country Manager to Drive Sustainable Agriculture & Nutrition Security

The International Potato Center (CIP) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Neeraj Sharma as Country Manager for India, effective June 9, 2025. In this role, Dr. Sharma will lead CIP’s strategic engagement, science portfolio, and operational presence in India.

A seasoned agricultural scientist with over two decades of experience across Asia, Africa, and North America, Dr. Sharma brings to CIP deep expertise in potato breeding, seed systems, and value chain development. His work has spanned research, public-private partnerships, policy dialogue, and the conservation and use of agrobiodiversity.

Dr. Sharma holds a Ph.D. in Agriculture with a specialization in Vegetable Science (Plant Breeding and Seed Technology), as well as a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture from Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, India.

As Country Manager, Dr. Sharma will focus on:

• Advancing country-level implementation of the CIP2030 strategy;
• Driving resource mobilization and fostering equitable partnerships with donors, government bodies, and research institutions;
• Overseeing CIP operations in India in close coordination with global teams to ensure strategic alignment and operational excellence.

Dr. Sharma first joined CIP in 2008 as a Potato Breeder in India, and later served as Associate Scientist in Vietnam, leading the TAP-5 project under a public-private partnership model. His leadership roles in Tuberosum Technologies Inc. (Canada) and PepsiCo India have equipped him with strong capabilities in research management, team building, and innovation in potato R&D.

Dr. Sharma will be based in New Delhi and will play a key role in strengthening CIP’s contributions to India’s food systems, with a focus on sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, and nutrition security.