Dr Pathak has served as Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
Renowned agricultural scientist Dr Himanshu Pathak assumed charge today as the Director General of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad, the only international agricultural research center in India. Dr Pathak brings a wealth of experience to ICRISAT, having served as Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
Dr Pathak completed his BSc (Ag.) from Banaras Hindu University in 1986 and earned his MSc and PhD in Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) in 1988 and 1992, respectively. His distinguished career spans roles such as Director of the ICAR-National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack, and Director of the ICAR-National Institute of Abiotic Stress Management, Baramati, India. Pathak has also been a visiting scientist at the University of Essex, UK, and the Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research, Germany.
ICRISAT is a premier drylands agricultural research institute dedicated to uplifting smallholder farmers and ensuring food security in semi-arid tropics worldwide. Operating extensively in some of the most challenging environments in East and Southern Africa, as well as West and Central Africa, ICRISAT is committed to elevating crop productivity, resilience, and sustainability—vital to dryland communities’ prosperity. This steadfast commitment profoundly affects millions in the world’s most challenging agricultural regions.
For over five decades, the institute has pioneered cost-effective and scalable solutions empowering farming communities through advanced research, technology, and partnerships. From the world’s first pigeonpea hybrid to early maturing groundnut to Africa’s first biofortified pearl millet and more, ICRISAT’s legacy and continued focus on key semi-arid crops, like cereals, pulses, and oilseeds, addresses farmers’ diverse challenges – from adapting to climate change to bolstering soil health, water management, and market connections.
Dr Pathak’s appointment as the Director General marks a significant milestone for ICRISAT as it continues to build resilient, sustainable agri-food systems for the most vulnerable across Asia, Africa, and beyond. His strategic vision and proven leadership are expected to drive forward ICRISAT’s mission, setting new benchmarks in agricultural innovation and global food security.
