Xi Cao appointed head of ADB-CGIAR Clearing House Facility to accelerate agri-innovation and investment

Los Baños, Philippines (24 October 2025) — The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) has announced the appointment of Ms. Xi Cao as the new Head of the Clearing House Facility on Scaling of Agricultural Innovations for Development. In this role, she will lead efforts to design, implement, and scale transformative agricultural innovations that improve livelihoods, enhance food security, and foster climate-resilient rural development across Asia and beyond.

The Clearing House Facility, established under the ADB–CGIAR partnership and facilitated by IRRI, serves as a central mechanism for identifying, refining, and packaging scalable agricultural innovations. By connecting CGIAR research outputs with international financial institutions (IFIs), investors, and national stakeholders, the Facility aims to accelerate the adoption of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) and other high-impact technologies that support sustainable growth and rural prosperity.