Palakshi Nerkar is a second-year MPP student at the Harvard Kennedy School. She was accepted into the Growth Lab’s 2025 Summer Internship Program and contributed to ongoing research in Azerbaijan.
Why did you apply to be a Growth Lab intern?
I was particularly interested in expanding my current on-ground field experience by exploring agricultural policies on a broader scale. The Growth Lab’s work in Azerbaijan specifically appealed to me as it allowed me to merge my interests in agriculture with economic development and real-world policy engagement. The experience helped me understand why some producers thrive in tough ecosystems and how governments can scale those bright spots into a larger economic transformation.
What did you work on this summer?
I researched “positive deviants”- producers or exporters in Azerbaijan who succeeded against all odds- and analysed global case studies that could leverage these positive deviants to cause a significant positive impact. I also collaborated with the Growth Lab team in Azerbaijan to analyse interviews of various stakeholders involved, from producer pioneers to research centres and ministries. This study helped narrow down drivers and barriers to scaling the success of these unique cases to a national level.
In what ways were you challenged?
Coming from a tech-focused background, a deep dive into the world of economics was initially intimidating. Moreover, analysing a full value chain across unfamiliar crops and regions was a big leap from my earlier fieldwork with smallholder farmers in India. I had to understand logistics, certification bottlenecks, export finance gaps, and post-harvest constraints within weeks, all the while accounting for insights from stakeholder interviews. The biggest challenge was translating very diverse qualitative field data into a coherent policy narrative that is locally grounded but also nationally relevant.
What was your most exciting/surprising experience?
My experience was filled with small but meaningful surprises. It was incredibly exciting to discover stories of farmers and exporters who took massive leaps of faith, and even more fulfilling to see them succeed through innovative thinking. I also didn’t expect to enjoy mapping regional logistics corridors or analyzing the melon diaspora trade routes as much as I did! Every meeting with my Growth Lab team taught me something new, and I truly enjoyed those collaborative moments.
What advice would you give future Growth Lab interns?
I’d advise all incoming interns to make the most out of the experience and knowledge of their Growth Lab colleagues. They are incredibly knowledgeable on their respective regional projects and were a treasured resource for me! I’d also recommend researching the country and its social and professional norms thoroughly, especially when engaging with local stakeholders outside the Growth Lab team.
What’s next for you?
This experience reaffirmed my commitment to working on agricultural transformation from various angles. I am deeply devoted to improving the livelihoods of agrarian communities in a sustainable, regenerative manner. As I return to HKS for my final year of the MPP program, I hope to use these lessons and build on my knowledge at the intersection of agriculture and climate, and contribute via public service.
