Dr. Shridhar Rao Jagana

Ph.D. in Plant Biotechnology and an agricultural leader with more than twenty years across research, agribusiness, and commercial operations. An agricultural scientist turned industry leader — with a career spanning frontier biotechnology research, international development, agribusiness, and commercial crop production.

He brings scientific rigour and on-ground commercial experience across the full potato value chain, from seed systems to processing supply chains.

Rooted Fries Alliance (May 2025 – Mar 2026) Built a contract farming programme from scratch — mobilising progressive farmers and distributing Santana seed potato to deliver commercially meaningful processing-grade supply for a French fries line. Conducted GOTs in Lahaul-Spiti, HP, and developed a high-altitude farmer network near Keylong and Manali for off-season seed multiplication. 70+ farmers mobilised · 330 MT seed distributed · ~3,300 MT tubers delivered.

International Potato Center (CIP) (2022 – 2024) Led the Potato Seed Security Project across Meghalaya and Tripura — transferring ARC technology, establishing a decentralised seed production system within one year, and driving expansion into Phase 2, positioning Meghalaya towards seed security status. Coordinated across CPRI, BRDC, MBDA, HRC Tripura, and state departments from secretariat to field level. 500+ farmers reached · 6 districts · 1 yr to system established.

Research foundation at ICRISAT (Ph.D. — abiotic stress tolerance in peanut), CCMB (rice yield QTL mapping), and Bioseed Research India (GM trait validation, backcross breeding — rice, brinjal, tomato). Commercial leadership at ProCent Agriscience (COO — protected cultivation) and GroAxo Agribusiness Solutions (Managing Partner — farm-to-market agribusiness).