Shobha Shetty, PhD, is the Global Director for Agriculture and Food at the World Bank. She leads the institution’s global work to help countries confront rising hunger and malnutrition, respond to the climate and biodiversity crises, and unlock better jobs through innovation and agribusiness investments. In this capacity, she directs the Bank’s strategy, partnerships, and operations to build food systems that are more resilient, sustainable, and inclusive.
Previously, Dr. Shetty served as Agriculture and Food Practice Manager in both Africa and South Asia, and as Practice Manager for Global Partnerships and Resource Mobilization in the Social, Urban, Rural, and Resilience Global Practice. She has also held leadership roles in the East Asia and Pacific and Middle East and North Africa regions, bringing extensive operational and policy experience across diverse contexts.
Her work spans food systems resilience, sustainable agriculture, and nutrition, with emphasis on digital innovation, irrigation and water management, and women’s and youth empowerment. She has also been a Visiting Fellow at Cornell University’s Tata-Cornell Agriculture and Nutrition Initiative and at the International Water Management Institute.
Dr. Shetty holds a bachelor’s in electrical engineering from Anna University and Master’s and Ph.D. degrees in Agricultural Economics from Cornell University.
