ICRISAT Brings Frontier Agricultural Science to the Caribbean in Landmark Partnership

The world’s premier institute for dryland agriculture and a globally acclaimed research center, the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), has brought its frontier science to Jamaica through a landmark partnership with the CARICOM Private Sector Organisation (CPSO) and SEPROD, the region’s largest food and FMCG distributor.

Backed by ICRISAT’s global expertise, the project will fast-track the development of superior forage and dual-purpose sorghum varieties in Jamaica, to address fodder shortages, enhance livestock yields, and improve climate resilience to strengthen food and feed security and help cut CARICOM’s US$6 billion food import bill by 25% by 2030.

Applauding the collaboration, Dr Himanshu Pathak, Director General of ICRISAT, said that with CPSO’s visionary leadership in convening this partnership and SEPROD’s drive to champion its success, ICRISAT is proud to bring advanced agricultural innovation to CARICOM, complementing local expertise.

“ICRISAT is part of the CGIAR system and committed to sharing frontier science that delivers strong economic and social returns, and we look forward to making a lasting impact across the region through this initiative,” said Dr Pathak.