Dr. Neeraj Sharma is an agricultural scientist and development professional with over 20 years of experience in research, program leadership, and strategic engagement across Asia, Africa, and North America. He currently serves as Country Manager – India at the International Potato Center (CIP). 

In this role, Dr. Sharma provides overall leadership to CIP’s India program, including strategy development, partnership management, and oversight of the science portfolio. He works to align CIP’s global research priorities with national agricultural goals and Government of India initiatives, with a focus on improving potato and sweetpotato value chains. His responsibilities include supporting resource mobilization, managing multi-donor projects, and strengthening collaboration with government agencies, research institutions, donors, and private sector partners. 

Dr. Sharma’s professional expertise includes potato breeding, seed systems, and inclusive value chain development, built through experience in both public and private sectors. He began his work on potato research with CIP in 2008 as a Potato Breeder in India and later worked in Vietnam, where he led a major public–private partnership (PPP) initiative. He has substantial experience in designing and managing PPPs, working closely with national research systems, private companies, and international organizations to translate research into field-level and market-oriented outcomes. 

His career also includes leadership roles with PepsiCo India and Tuberosum Technologies Inc. (Canada), which strengthened his understanding of applied research, commercialization, and partnership-based innovation. 

Dr. Sharma actively supports initiatives related to seed quality, climate-smart agriculture, and farmer income enhancement. He has played an important role in advancing the CIP South Asia Regional Centre (CSARC) in Agra, envisioned as a regional hub for research, innovation, and collaboration. 

He holds a Ph.D. in Agriculture (Vegetable Science, Plant Breeding & Seed Technology), along with Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Agriculture from Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, India.