Veteran agricultural scientist Dr. Neeraj Sharma has been appointed as the new Country Director for the International Potato Center (CIP) India, a part of the CGIAR global research network. He brings over two decades of expertise in plant breeding, food systems, and agripolicy research.
Under Dr. Sharma’s leadership, CIP India will focus on:
- Developing high yield, disease resistant potato varieties
- Enhancing climate resilience in potato cultivation
- Expanding market access and postharvest value chains for smallholder farmers
- Promoting potatoes as a key crop for food and nutritional security
His appointment signals a renewed thrust in boosting India’s potato output and processing industries. With demand rising from both domestic consumers and international buyers, the CIP aims to make India a hub for potato innovation, especially in light of climate change and input cost challenges.
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