Connect with:
Sunday / April 13. 2025

logo
mobile-logo
HomePosts Tagged "ICRISAT" (Page 2)
Agro Universities, Collaborations, Foodgrains, India, R&D, Seeds

The project aims to enhance sustainable livestock production and improve the socio-economic conditions of marginalised farmers across the Kashmir Valley.

Jammu and Kashmir, in northern India, will release new forage sorghum varieties in 2025, marking the first successful adaptation of this dryland crop to the region’s temperate climate. The release follows advanced on-farm trials of elite sorghum lines conducted by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in collaboration with the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Kashmir.

The project aims to enhance sustainable livestock production and improve the socio-economic conditions of marginalized farmers across the Kashmir Valley by releasing these cold-tolerant sorghum varieties in 2025.

The partnership focused on promoting dual-purpose sorghum varieties that provide both grain and forage. These varieties aim to enhance food, feed, and fodder security, addressing the critical feed supply-demand gap in the region’s animal husbandry sector, which plays a vital role in the local economy. Currently, the region is facing a 40 per cent fodder deficit.

Dr Stanford Blade, Deputy Director General-Research of ICRISAT, highlighted the collaborative nature of the project said “This initiative reflects ICRISAT’s commitment to delivering demand-driven innovations. Partnering with SKUAST has allowed us to co-develop sustainable solutions that benefit smallholder farmers and the broader agricultural sector”

Livestock rearing is crucial in the Kashmir Valley, providing essential protein and employment opportunities. However, the limited availability of nutritious feed poses a significant challenge for the sector, especially at high altitudes.

Fodder sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) has emerged as a promising solution. It offers high biomass production of up to 50 tons per hectare, has adaptability to local conditions and also high nutritional value. Its cultivation can improve livestock productivity and enhance the rural economy, directly benefiting marginalized communities, especially smallholder farmers and landless labor dependent on animal husbandry for their livelihoods.

Prof. Nazir A Ganai, Vice Chancellor of SKUAST Kashmir, praised the initiative: “This marks a significant step toward achieving feed, fodder, and livelihood security, especially for underprivileged tribal communities in high-altitude areas.”

Through the initiative, a comprehensive multi-environment evaluation program was established to identify high-yielding, nutritionally rich sorghum genotypes suited for the unique agro-climatic conditions of the Kashmir Valley. The trials, conducted over two cropping cycles, assessed biomass yield, nutritional quality, and adaptability to low temperatures, leading to the identification of superior cultivars.

“Developing elite sorghum lines tailored to Kashmir’s high-altitude ecologies is a remarkable achievement that will further inform our efforts to extend the cultivation north of 40° latitude,” said Dr Ephrem Habyarimana, Principal Scientist – Sorghum Breeding.

The project aims to enhance sustainable livestock

Agro Universities, India, People, R&D

Dr Pathak will officially assume his role next year, ushering in a new era of strategic leadership and growth for the Institute.

The Governing Board of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) formally announced the appointment of Dr Himanshu Pathak as the Director General designate of the globally acclaimed institute. The announcement was made by Governing Board Chair Professor Prabhu Pingali during an all-staff event at ICRISAT headquarters in Hyderabad.

Dr Pathak has a distinguished career in advancing global agricultural research and development and will bring a wealth of experience to ICRISAT. He currently serves as Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

On behalf of the Governing Board, I am delighted to welcome Dr Pathak as Director General designate said Professor Pingali.

“His strategic vision and proven leadership will be instrumental as ICRISAT confronts the challenges of expanding drylands and drives forward its mission to build resilient, sustainable agri-food systems for the most vulnerable across Asia, Africa, and beyond.

“Under Dr Pathak’s guidance, we are confident that ICRISAT will continue to build powerful new alliances and set new benchmarks in agricultural innovation and global food security and the Governing Board and I look forward to working closely with him.

“We also extend our deepest gratitude to outgoing Director General Dr Jacqueline Hughes for her unwavering leadership during a period of profound transition and unprecedented challenges. Despite the global disruptions brought on by COVID-19, Dr Hughes guided ICRISAT with resilience and vision, driving forward numerous agricultural innovations that have strengthened the Institute’s impact and reach,” said Prof. Pingali.

Dr Pathak’s appointment will herald a new chapter for ICRISAT as it embarks on its 52nd year, reinforcing the Institute’s commitment to pioneering agricultural innovations and cementing its status as a global leader in dryland research.

Dr Pathak will officially assume his role next year, ushering in a new era of strategic leadership and growth for the Institute.

Dr Pathak will officially assume his role

Agro Universities, Digital Technologies, India, R&D

The study emphasises that SMTs outperformed Machine Learning methods in crop type mapping, particularly where ground data is limited.

In a recent effort to harness satellite data for countries with limited ground reference information, the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) conducted a study using Senegal as a model to test various algorithms. While numerous remote sensing products exist for land cover mapping, accurately identifying crop types requires machine learning algorithms to process satellite data.

This study compares Machine Learning methods with Spectral Matching Techniques (SMTs) and demonstrates that SMTs are more effective than Machine Learning methods in scenarios where ground data are scarce. Although Machine Learning algorithms are valuable for processing satellite images to identify crop types, they require large volumes of high-quality training data. The study emphasizes that SMTs outperformed Machine Learning methods in crop type mapping, particularly where ground data is limited.

Dr Murali Gumma, the study’s lead author, stated, “Among the four approaches tested, Spectral Matching Techniques achieved the highest accuracy, exceeding 76 per cent. In contrast, machine learning methods—such as CART (Classification and Regression Tree), SVM (Support Vector Machines), and RF (Random Forest)—which are used for molecular machine learning and predicting compound properties, only reached accuracies between 40 per cent and 55 per cent.”

Traditional methods have faced challenges in mapping crop types in small, irregularly shaped fields and regions with inter-cropping practices. This paper highlights that high-resolution satellite imagery when combined with semi-automated algorithms like SMTs is ideally suited for dryland regions in Africa, making it a valuable tool for enhancing agricultural mapping in these challenging environments.

“In terms of the study’s applicability, there is significant potential in West African countries such as Mali and Niger. Improved insights into crop type mapping can be instrumental in calculating agricultural yield and, when combined with weather, climate, and socioeconomic data, can help pinpoint regions where productivity is impacted,” highlighted Dr Stanford Blade, Deputy Director General – Research, ICRISAT.

The study emphasises that SMTs outperformed Machine

Agro Universities, Climate, Collaborations, India, R&D, Soil Health

 The technology is rapid, non-invasive and involves no chemical use, for estimating multiple soil parameters.

In a recent study by IIT Kharagpur in collaboration with the International Crops Research Institute of Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad, has developed and validated the efficiency of Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (DRS) models for high throughput soil analysis for impact at scale in smallholder systems.

Years of research at the Agricultural and Food Engineering (AgFE) Department of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur shows that Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (DRS) may be used safely for rapid soil assessment. Conventional soil testing laboratories use wet chemistry-based soil testing methods that are time consuming and can become expensive when a large number of samples to be analysed. On the other hand, spectral reflectance of a soil sample can be rapidly measured in a non-contact mode and the results can be transformed to multiple soil parameters using calibrated spectral algorithms. Once the Diffused Reflectance Spectroscopy (DRS) algorithms are developed for a region, the algorithms may be used for analysing soil samples collected from different fields and at different time of sampling. The technology is rapid, non-invasive and involves no chemical use, for estimating multiple soil parameters.

The DRS approach was shown to be effective for estimating 8 out of 17 soil parameters with as high as 80 per cent accuracy. Specifically, the soil test crop response (STCR) ratings estimated through the DRS approach matched the wet chemistry-based STCR ratings to the tune of 43 to 100%. “This is a great opportunity because most nutrient management strategies are based on STCR ratings and these ratings may be safely estimated using the DRS approach in a very rapid manner,” says Professor B. S. Das from IIT Kharagpur. More than 60 per cent of the new samples estimated with more than 70% accuracy indicates a huge opportunity to apply the DRS technique at different spatial and temporal scales. The partnership with ICRISAT has been very productive in developing these innovative methods for rapid soil health assessment, Prof Das further added.

“ICRISAT has been at the forefront of global efforts to advance sensor-based technologies,” says Dr Jacqueline Hughes, Director General of ICRISAT. “Our recent work with NIRS-based spectroscopy for soil nutrient analysis, along with this pioneering research towards DRS models for soil analysis, ensures our commitment to deliver rapid and cost-effective alternatives to resource-poor agriculture systems.”

This is a step forward in making soil testing a feasibility through remote sensing. As the IEEE Standards Association embarks on standardizing soil spectroscopy as a standard method of soil testing (P4005 – Standards and protocols for soil spectroscopy), the efforts at IIT Kharagpur are a step forward in making soil testing through reflectance spectroscopy a reality. Developing methods for rapid soil testing for the benefit of millions of smallholder farmers of our country resonates well with IIT Kharagpur’s long commitment for low-cost soil analysis for improved agricultural practices.

 The technology is rapid, non-invasive and involves

Agro Universities, India, People

Ramaswamy’s distinguished career also includes leadership roles at renowned organizations such as Vedanta, Shell, Cadbury, and Unilever.

The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) announced the appointment of Ramkumar Ramaswamy as its new Director of Corporate Services. Ramaswamy brings to the institute a distinguished portfolio, with over 25 years of extensive expertise in leading the finance function in large multinational and Indian companies.

A Chartered Accountant with a degree in Commerce, Ramaswamy has held key positions across various sectors including consumer goods, chemicals, oil and gas, natural resources, and steel. Most recently, he served as the Chief Financial Officer and whole-time Director at Jindal Steel and Power, a leading publicly listed company. His distinguished career also includes leadership roles at renowned organizations such as Vedanta, Shell, Cadbury, and Unilever.

Ramaswamy has a rich and varied leadership experience of working with multicultural teams in high growth business environments, leading business turnarounds, long-term strategy development, mega projects, large scale change management, organizational design and restructuring and digitalization initiatives. His finance functional experience and expertise includes corporate governance, risk management, funding and treasury, investor relations, project and change management, internal controls, ethics and compliance and driving business outcomes and impact.

Dr Jacqueline d’Arros Hughes, Director General of ICRISAT, welcomed the appointment noting that Ramaswamy’s proven track record makes him an invaluable asset to the ICRISAT team.

“I am delighted to join the team at ICRISAT, an organization renowned for its commitment to agricultural innovation and sustainable development,” shared Ramaswamy. “I look forward to collaborating with our talented team to drive forward our mission of improving livelihoods and ensuring food security across the semi-arid tropics.”

Ramaswamy’s distinguished career also includes leadership roles

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, India, R&D, Sustainability

Decentralised biochar production technology will be an affordable and viable option for farmers and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to solve the issues around crop residues in a sustainable manner.

As global concerns over sustainable agriculture and climate change intensify, the use of biochar for soil amendment is increasingly gaining popularity because of its inherent properties that enrich the soil with nutrients and sequester carbon dioxide. These properties position biochar as a key player in agriculture’s shift towards net-zero emissions and in preventing soil degradation.

A recent study by ICRISAT scientists explores the design of an affordable, farm-level operable kiln for biochar production aimed at supporting smallholder farmers. The research paper also examines the properties of the biochar produced to better understand its applicability.

In her congratulatory remarks to the study’s authors, Director General of ICRISAT, Dr Jacqueline Hughes, underscored the significance of integrated solutions in accelerating our collective journey towards attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“Biochar production not only solves the issue of managing crop residues, but its application in soil health, wastewater treatment and carbon farming opens up enormous opportunities to move towards a cleaner and greener future,” Dr Hughes shared.

According to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India, India produces over 500 million tons of agricultural residues annually, with about one fourth being burned (2017-2018). The incineration of these residues causes several health and environmental concerns. However, converting these residues into biochar presents a viable alternative, offering not just a method for managing this waste, but also the potential for additional revenue or cost savings for farmers. 

Dr ML Jat, Director, Global Research Program – Resilient Farm and Food Systems, ICRISAT emphasized the importance of adopting a decentralized approach to ensure that the process benefits the farmers.

“This low-cost, decentralized biochar production technology will be an affordable and viable option for farmers and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to solve the issues around crop residues in a sustainable manner. Moreover, this technology also aligns well with government incentives for voluntary carbon markets and environmental initiatives like the ‘Mission Life-Lifestyle for the Environment program,'” Dr Jat noted.

The characteristics of biochar significantly depend on the type of crop residue used. In this study, two types of feedstocks—pigeonpea and maize stalk—were used to draw a comparison between the ICRISAT-designed pyrolysis kiln and a lab-scale muffle furnace.

The study also examined the physical and chemical attributes of biochar derived from the two feedstocks, using high-end imaging and analytical technologies such as Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Thermogravimetric Analyzer (TGA).

Research reveals that biochar created in the portable kiln at 400°C exhibits a quality comparable to that produced in the muffle furnace. Further analysis shows that the biochar derived from pigeonpea and maize stalks contains total carbon percentages of 48.9 per cent and 41.9 per cent, respectively. Within these totals, the proportion of stable carbon stands at approximately 98.6 per cent for pigeonpea stalk biochar and 94.4 per cent for maize stalk biochar.

“Organic waste management methods like composting and mulching are efficient, yet thermochemical techniques, such as pyrolysis, offer distinct advantages, including quicker processing times and higher efficiency, particularly with dry residues,” Dr Gajanan Sawargaonkar, Senior Scientist, ICRISAT, and one of the study’s authors, remarked. 

Dr Sawargaonkar also highlighted that the data produced in the study will significantly contribute to the development of a holistic set of practices aimed at advancing sustainable agriculture.

Decentralised biochar production technology will be an

AgroPolicy, Sustainability

Naveen Patnaik, in his inaugural speech, acknowledged the contribution of international experts and scientists from the CGIAR in improving agriculture in the State of Odisha

The three-day Krushi Odisha 2024 conclave organised by the Government of Odisha with the theme ‘Celebrating Women in Agriculture’ was inaugurated by the Chief Minister of the State Naveen Patnaik at Janta Maidan. More than 70 per cent of the participants were women farmers and the lead women farmers were recognised and felicitated at the event.

Naveen Patnaik, in his inaugural speech, acknowledged the contribution of international experts and scientists from the CGIAR in improving agriculture in the State of Odisha.

The pre-inaugural session ‘Gender-responsive and Nutri-sensitive Food Systems – Delivering Nutrition and Health for All’ was led by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in partnership with the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT).

Commending the Government of Odisha on the initiative, the Director General of ICRISAT, Dr Jacqueline Hughes, underscored the organisation’s commitment to inclusive growth, noting that the empowerment of women in agriculture fosters positive change towards healthier food systems and a sustainable future. 

“Women in agriculture are not just contributors; they are leaders, innovators, and stewards of the land. It’s time to recognize and amplify their role in shaping the future of farming,” said Prof Pravat Kumar Roul.

“We need to work hand-in-hand with female farmers who are critical in shaping the diets of the family – empowering women farmers not only empowers current families but safeguards future families through improved health and nutrition in children,” said Dr Sean Mayes.

Naveen Patnaik, in his inaugural speech, acknowledged

Agrotech

The mobile facility will operate in the Medchal-Malkajgiri districts of Telangana, India, and offer on-site soil testing services to farmers, promoting the adoption of regenerative agricultural practices at the grassroots level

The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) marked World Soil Day 2023 with the inauguration of ‘Technology on Wheels’, a new initiative designed to promote sustainable soil and water management practices among farmers.

This year’s World Soil Day theme, “Soil and Water: A Source of Life,” holds particular relevance for drylands, where there is a deficit of both water and soil nutrients. 

Cognizant of this inherent challenge, and the fact that soil and water account for 95 per cent of global food production, ICRISAT remains steadfast in addressing the urgent challenges posed by land degradation and the decline in soil health—particularly in the context of climate change. 

The newly launched ‘Technology on Wheels’, a mobile soil and water testing laboratory, reflects ICRISAT’s commitment to bridging the gap between scientific advancements and in-the-field implementation.  

Developed in partnership with the Laurus Charitable Trust, the mobile facility will operate in the Medchal-Malkajgiri districts of Telangana, India, and offer on-site soil testing services to farmers, promoting the adoption of regenerative agricultural practices at the grassroots level. 

Speaking at an event to mark the occasion, Dr Jacqueline Hughes, Director General of ICRISAT, highlighted ICRISAT’s longstanding efforts to bolster soil health across Asia and Africa by advancing scientific knowledge and fostering awareness of the interconnectedness between soil and water for resilient and sustainable agrifood systems. 

“We recognise that science and society, particularly farmers through their farming practices, help preserve life on Earth. At ICRISAT, we aim to provide innovative, easily implementable solutions that safeguard soils and secure water for our present and future,” Dr Hughes shared.

ICRISAT’s digitalised interventions include localised soil testing and soil-test-based crop management technologies, guiding farmers in crop and variety selection, and offering suitable technologies and inputs to enhance productivity, efficiency, and system profitability.

The mobile facility will operate in the

AgroPolicy, Foodgrains, India

At the heart of the partnership is Assam’s goal of boosting the cultivation, production and consumption of three native millet crops: Finger millet (Maruadhan), Foxtail millet (Kauni Dhan), and Proso millet (Cheena Bajra)

The International Crop Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and the Government of Assam, India, have joined forces to advance climate-resilient and nutritionally enhanced food systems through the Assam Millet Mission.

At the heart of the partnership is Assam’s goal of boosting the cultivation, production and consumption of three native millet crops: Finger millet (Maruadhan), Foxtail millet (Kauni Dhan), and Proso millet (Cheena Bajra). 

Presently, millets are only cultivated across 6,000 hectares of land in 15 districts of Assam, including Nagaon, Bongaigaon, and Dhubri, contributing 97 per cent of the State’s millet production. 

Given Assam’s vulnerability to floods and its ancient preference for rice over millets, there’s a growing imperative to transition toward diversified agriculture that incorporates resilient and nutritious millets.

Dr Jacqueline Hughes, Director General of ICRISAT lauded the partnership and hailed the Millet Mission as pioneering, particularly considering the region’s limited history of millet consumption.

“As the world’s largest millet producer and a driving force behind the International Year of Millets 2023, India stands at the forefront of the resurgence of millets.  

“ICRISAT is delighted to contribute its deep expertise in millet research to complement Assam’s visionary approach and ambitious millet value chain targets,” said Dr Hughes.

At the heart of the partnership is

Agri Genomics, Agro Universities, Agrotech, Company News, India, R&D

With this collaboration, three high-quality platinum-grade genome assemblies have emerged, representing the active global breeding germplasm.

In an era marked by growing global population and climate change concerns, a collaborative research project between Corteva Agriscience, the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) was undertaken. The research has achieved a significant milestone by resequencing pearl millet genomes. This innovative approach has led to the development of new molecular markers, opening the door to creating millet cultivars with exceptional yield performance and improved nutritional quality.

Until now, the world of millet lacked reliable DNA markers. However, with this collaboration, three high-quality platinum-grade genome assemblies have emerged, representing the active global breeding germplasm. This remarkable achievement represents a 7000-fold improvement over previously published data. These newly identified DNA markers provide an invaluable roadmap for enhancing pearl millet productivity on a global scale, with far-reaching implications for addressing food security challenges.

At this pivotal juncture, the timing of this research is particularly important, given the recent G20 conversations on finding solutions to address food security and nutritional security, with millets being recognized as a key crop due to their exceptional nutrition and climate resilience. Moreover, with 2023 being recognized as the International Year of Millets by the United Nations General Assembly, further underscores the importance of millets in the face of global climate change.

This collaborative breakthrough promises to play a pivotal role in sustainable food production and nutritional security. The fidelity of the long-read sequences and improved resolution of haplotypes provided by these platinum-grade genome assemblies will aid in understanding the genomic distinctions characterizing global heterotic gene pools in pearl millet. This research also identifies structural variations that can be used to investigate traits related to heterosis, such as fertility restoration, disease resistance, and agronomy.

Furthermore, gene annotation and enrichment analyses revealed that the millet genome is enriched with cysteine and methionine coding genes, aligning with previous findings of higher amino acid concentrations in pearl millet compared to legumes such as pigeon peas and chickpeas. This discovery highlights the potential of millets and legumes as complementary components of a balanced diet to combat malnutrition.

As we navigate the challenges of global food security and climate change, the collaborative efforts of Corteva Agriscience, ICRISAT, and ICAR have illuminated a promising path forward. By harnessing the power of genomics, this research opens new doors for sustainable agriculture, healthier diets, and enhanced food security on a global scale.

With this collaboration, three high-quality platinum-grade genome

Agro Universities, Award, India

The award-winning submission highlighted community-led innovations in landscape management in Central India’s Bundelkhand region.

ICRISAT clinched the ‘UNDP Mahatma Award for Biodiversity’ for its remarkable contributions to humanity, its unwavering commitment to positive change, and its transformative impact on society.

The award-winning submission highlighted community-led innovations in landscape management in Central India’s Bundelkhand region. Through a combination of rainwater harvesting structures and agroforestry measures, biodiversity in the seven Bundelkhand sites, covering approximately 40,000 hectares, experienced a significant revival.

 Mugdha Arora, the Award Director, commended the institute for making it through the rigorous evaluation process and demanding jury rounds of the Mahatma Award selection. She congratulated ICRISAT in a letter that hailed the institute’s extraordinary accomplishments.

“Your dedication to social good has set a shining example for others to emulate. Your selection for the Mahatma Award 2023 is not just a recognition of your past accomplishments but also a celebration of your vision for a greener, bio-diversified, equitable, and sustainable world. Your commitment to making positive change has touched the lives of many and serves as an inspiration for all of us,” said Mugdha Arora.

“The UNDP congratulates ICRISAT on receiving the Mahatma Award. Biodiversity especially in the agricultural realm is something we value ICRISAT’s expertise in, and we look forward to a longer-term partnership with ICRISAT in this area” said Suneel Padale, UNDP Senior Program Officer, Biodiversity Finance and Sustainable Land Management.

The Mahatma Award 2023 was formally conferred upon ICRISAT at a ceremony  on September 30, 2023. As part of this honour, ICRISAT received a certificate and a specially crafted bust of Mahatma Gandhi, designed and produced by the Aditya Birla Eternal Gandhi Initiative.

The Mahatma Award was founded and instituted by Philanthropist Amit Sachdeva, also known as ‘The CSR Man of India’. The annual award is supported by the Aditya Birla Group and the United Nations Development Programme.

The award-winning submission highlighted community-led innovations in

Agro Universities, India, Interaction, R&D

Programme aims to equip research managers and leaders with practical tools and strategies to navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and steer agricultural research and development.

Dr Jacqueline Hughes, Director General, ICRISAT, addressed Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) training participants on August 21, 2023, at the invitation of the ICAR – National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (ICAR-NAARM) in Hyderabad, India.

NAARM’s Executive Development Programme (EDP) for leadership development is tailored to empower national research managers and leaders in various roles, including Directors and Assistant Directors General, with enhanced leadership capacities and competencies.

The event began with the Presidential Address by Dr Ch Srinivasa Rao, Director, ICAR-NAARM, followed by an overview by Dr G Venkateshwarlu, Joint Director and Program Director.

Dr Hughes elaborated on the critical role of transformative leadership in driving positive change and fostering innovation within the realm of agricultural research.

Her insights provided a launchpad for the participants to embark on their own leadership journey within the National Agricultural Research and Education System while appreciating the synergies and opportunities through collaboration with international institutes and global research organizations.

The program ends on August 26th and aims to equip research managers and leaders with practical tools and strategies to navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and steer agricultural research and development toward greater efficiency and impact.

Programme aims to equip research managers and

AgroPolicy, Foodgrains, Sustainability

The logo and official website of the India-Africa International Millet Conference unveiled during the event

To celebrate the International Year of Millets, the Ministry of Agriculture and Famers Welfare, Government of India and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Government of Kenya will be co-hosting the ‘India-Africa International Millet Conference’ in Kenya with support of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT). The international conference scheduled for 30-31 August 2023, will witness participation from government leaders, researchers, farmers, entrepreneurs and industry associations etc, from around the globe.

The official curtain raiser for the ‘India-Africa International Millet Conference’ was held in Nairobi, Kenya, giving the audience a glimpse of what to expect.

The event was graced by the High Commissioner of India to Kenya, Joint Secretary (Crops), Government of India, Principal Secretary, Government of Kenya and Director General, ICRISAT. Officials from the agricultural sector of Kenya, members of the diplomatic community, international agricultural research leaders, farmers and representatives from the private sector also attended.

Through the international conference, the Governments of India and Kenya aim to raise public awareness about millet as the ‘world’s emerging smart food. Additionally, the global event would also help highlight the South-South exchange and collaboration opportunities within the realm of millets.

With high levels of minerals such as iron, calcium, zinc and other vital nutrients, Millets are a treasure trove of health benefits. Additionally, they are also drought-resistant, pest-resilient, climate-friendly crops that can boost income opportunities and livelihoods of smallholder farmers, especially in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.

One of the key highlights of the Curtain Raiser event was the unveiling of the logo and website of the India-Africa International Millet Conference. The website will enable participants to register for the conference and learn more about the global event and Millets in general.

The Curtain Raiser event commenced with Dr Jacqueline Hughes, DG ICRISAT, briefing the audience about the agenda of the event. While enumerating the multiple benefits of millets, she spoke about the growing discourse around mechanization, seed systems, digital agriculture and value addition in millets. “We need to strengthen the value chains of millets to ensure consumer demand which will then assure farmers of profitable markets”, Dr Hughes noted.

The logo and official website of the