Dr. Neeraj Sharma is an agricultural scientist and development professional with over 20 years of experience in research, program leadership, and strategic partnerships across Asia, Africa, and North America. He currently serves as Country Manager – India at the International Potato Center (CIP), where he leads the organization’s India program, guiding strategy, partnerships, and implementation of research and development initiatives aligned with national agricultural priorities.
His work focuses on strengthening potato and sweetpotato value chains, advancing seed systems, and promoting inclusive, climate-smart agricultural development. Dr. Sharma supports multi-donor project management, resource mobilization, and collaboration with government agencies, research institutions, donors, and private sector partners.
Dr. Sharma began working on potato research with CIP in 2008 as a Potato Breeder in India and later worked in Vietnam, where he led major public–private partnership initiatives. His experience also includes leadership roles with PepsiCo India and Tuberosum Technologies Inc., Canada, strengthening his expertise in applied research, innovation, and partnership-driven innovation.