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HomePosts Tagged "Dr Jacqueline d’Arros Hughes"
Agro Universities, India, People

Dr Hughes has over 30 years’ experience in agricultural research for development and is highly regarded for her leadership in tackling the pressing global challenges of food insecurity, sustainable agriculture.

Dr Jacqueline d’Arros Hughes, outgoing Director General of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), headquartered in Hyderabad, India, is set to take up the role of Secretary General of the World Agriculture Forum in mid-November 2024. Her extensive career, marked by groundbreaking work in sustainable agriculture, equips her to steer the Forum towards its mission. As Secretary General, Dr Hughes will focus on strengthening alliances and advancing innovative solutions in agriculture, ensuring the World Agriculture Forum is well-positioned to address the evolving needs of the sector globally. Her appointment is a testament to WAF’s commitment to bringing visionary leaders on board.

Dr Hughes has over 30 years’ experience in agricultural research for development and is highly regarded for her leadership in tackling the pressing global challenges of food insecurity, sustainable agriculture, and rural development in some of the world’s most vulnerable regions.

Trained in the United Kingdom, Dr Hughes holds a PhD from Reading University and began her career with postdoctoral work before working with national partners in Ghana. Throughout her career, Dr Hughes has held international leadership positions in prestigious agricultural institutes across Africa and Asia, equipping her with a profound understanding of the unique challenges faced by these regions.

A distinguished plant virologist, Dr Hughes has strong interests in remote sensing, digitalisation, and gender equity. She continues to champion the integration of modern technologies, plant quarantine best practices, and the ethical use of intellectual property to enhance agricultural outcomes. Dr Hughes believes in both working locally for global impact and working globally for local impact.

As Director General of ICRISAT, Dr Hughes adeptly led the Institute through the global pandemic, achieving significant milestones despite unprecedented challenges. Under her leadership, ICRISAT was honoured with the Africa Food Prize 2021 and welcomed the Honourable Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, at the Institute’s 50th Anniversary celebrations in 2022. Dr Hughes further strengthened ICRISAT’s influence as a leader in dryland agriculture in 2023, actively participating in the agriculture meetings of the G20 Summit held in New Delhi and serving as co-Chair of the International Steering Committee for the United Nations’ International Year of Millets.

Rudy Rabbinge, Chairman of the World Agriculture Forum, remarked: “Dr Hughes brings to the World Agriculture Forum a wealth of experience and a commitment to agricultural innovation that is critical to achieving our mission. Her proven ability to deliver impactful results, her deep understanding of the international agricultural landscape, and her vision for sustainable intensification will strengthen the World Agriculture Forum’s position as a leader and partner in addressing food and nutrition security worldwide.”

Dr Hughes has over 30 years’ experience

Agro Universities, Agrotech, India, R&D

 The portable sensors allow for quick evaluation of nutrition levels in indigenous food grains right at the farmer’s gate or in research fields.

Researchers at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) are leading a transformation in crop testing, combining AI-driven models and pocket-size near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) devices. These portable sensors allow for quick evaluation of nutrition levels in indigenous food grains right at the farmer’s gate or in research fields.

Director General of ICRISAT, Dr Jacqueline d’Arros Hughes, championed the integration of this disruptive technology into breeding pipelines and key points of relevant value chains. Aligned with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) strategy, Dr Hughes foresees the tool as a catalyst for the production of nutrient-dense crops, both in breeding programs and in farmers’ fields, a crucial element in the global fight against malnutrition.

“This technology is poised to expedite the breeding of nutrient-dense crops while facilitating their integration into the value chain. Our goal with this intervention is to provide quality assurance for the distribution of nutritionally fortified crops, so that they reach those who need them most,” remarked Dr Hughes.

Traditionally, assessing the nutritional quality of grains and feedstock could take a number of weeks, involving manual or partially automated processes and laboratory instruments. In contrast, mobile NIRS devices are more cost-effective and can assess over 150 samples per day per person.

These non-destructive and robust grain quality measuring devices provide timely information on grain composition and can be used to promote quality-based payments in the market—benefiting food producers, grain processing industries, and farmers alike.

“We see the adoption of portable technology for assessing grain quality as an important step in decentralizing and democratizing market systems, essential to promote the consumption of nutri-cereals. This transition can facilitate quality-driven payments for farmers, while providing quality assurance to health-conscious households moving forward,” noted Dr Sean Mayes, Global Research Director of the Accelerated Crop Improvement Program at ICRISAT.

 The portable sensors allow for quick evaluation

Agro Universities, Foodgrains, R&D

Key outcomes of the meeting included the development of plans for establishing Centers of Excellence on Millets in major millet-producing countries.

Agricultural leaders, policymakers, and high-level representatives from the global south gathered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from 25-26 March 2024, to chart a course for collective action beyond the International Year of Millets 2023 (IYM2023).

Millets, hailed for their climate resilience and nutritional density, have garnered global recognition as a crucial component in the fight against food insecurity and environmental degradation, providing hope to the 2.1 billion people who live in the arid regions of Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa.

High-level representatives from leading millet-producing countries in the global south including India, Mali, Nigeria, Niger, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, and Malawi, alongside prominent organizations such as the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA), and the Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR), came together to devise strategies for strengthened collaboration under a shared vision of resilience for the drylands.

Director General of ICRISAT, Dr Jacqueline d’Arros Hughes, said the elevated level of representation and engagement from all participants during the two-day session augurs well for the future of millets.

“It is important that we build on the momentum and legacy of the IYM2023 to ensure the world has access to millets, which are Smart Food with the ability to feed and nourish the planet amid growing global populations, increasing temperatures and climatic events,” Dr Hughes remarked.

“I thank all stakeholders who made the effort to attend and actively participate in these two intensive days of strategic planning, knowledge sharing and deliberations. Together, we have laid the groundwork for sustained progress in millet promotion and adoption in the global south,” she added.

Key outcomes of the meeting included the development of plans for establishing Centers of Excellence on Millets in major millet-producing countries. Centers are envisioned to serve as hubs for innovation, research, and knowledge exchange, driving sustainable crop production, resilient value chains, and broader consumer access to affordable and nutritious millet-based diets.

The convening also served as a platform to reaffirm a shared commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in the global south, particularly by supporting food security, poverty eradication, and environmental sustainability. 

Key outcomes of the meeting included the