South-South Cooperation: Crucial for Transforming Agriculture

Opinion Piece by Dr Himanshu Pathak, Director General of ICRISAT

Agriculture remains the backbone of livelihoods, employment, and food security across the Global South. From West African millet fields to South Asian rice paddies, the sector not only sustains communities but contributes significantly to national GDPs and employs a large share of the population, particularly women and youth. Yet, despite this central role, agriculture’s full potential to drive inclusive, long-term growth remains underutilized.

Persistent structural challenges continue to hold the sector back. Low productivity, climate vulnerability, land degradation, and limited access to finance and technology are compounded by shifting global dynamics. Development assistance is becoming less predictable, and traditional funding streams are narrowing as powerful geopolitical priorities change.

Read the original article