Op-Ed by Dr Himanshu Pathak, Director General of ICRISAT Each year, the International Day for Biological Diversity invites us to reflect on the living fabric that sustains life—biodiversity. The 2025 theme, “Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development,” underscores an increasingly urgent truth: sustainable development must go hand in hand with the preservation of nature. Nowhere is this more apparent than
In the delicate interplay between agricultural expansion and ecological sustainability, insects occupy a dual role—both as essential allies and as threats. ICRISAT works to ensure farming practices maintain this delicate balance between productivity and ecological sustainability. Insects constitute nearly 75% of the total species on Earth. They play an important role as crop pest, pollinators and scavengers. Crop plants, the
The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) is honored to announce the appointment of Ms Cathy Reade as Chair of its Governing Board. Ms Reade steps into her role at a defining moment for global development, where the world faces the profound challenges of climate change, food insecurity, and land degradation—but also holds the promise of transformative
In the lead-up to World Intellectual Property Day (26 April), the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) hosted a special event titled “Celebrating Innovation, Empowering the Future” at its Hyderabad campus. The event held on 22 April 2025, featured two key milestones: the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with BITS Pilani and an IP licensing agreement with Eco-Paryavaran for ICRISAT’s Solar Water Hyacinth Harvester.
New Delhi, April 2025 — In a significant step toward inclusive and climate-resilient agricultural transformation, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) have outlined a joint research vision for 2025–2027, focusing on the inclusive delivery, adoption, and scaling of improved germplasms in India’s dryland ecosystems. The planning meeting, held on April 3–4, 2025, at the ICRISAT Conference Room, NASC Complex,
As climate change continues to reshape agricultural landscapes worldwide, ensuring the health and safe movement of germplasm becomes increasingly critical for developing resilient crops that can thrive under these conditions. The CGIAR – Germplasm Health Units (GHUs) are at the forefront of this mission, ensuring that researchers and farmers have access to disease-free genetic resources essential for sustainable agriculture. In
Training Equips Researchers to Support Smallholder Farmers with Climate-Smart, Sustainable Agriculture A new wave of agricultural innovation is taking root in Southern Africa as researchers are empowered with advanced skills in crop modeling to support Circular Food Systems (CFS). To strengthen decision-making tools for smallholder farmers, a five-day intensive training workshop was held from 17-21 March 2025 at the ICRISAT
ICRISAT Presents Pivotal Research for Regenerating the Drylands As the world confronts the twin crises of climate change and land degradation, a silent revolution is taking root beneath our feet. A groundbreaking publication by scientists at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) launched at CGIAR Science Week in Nairobi, unveils a powerful new ally in the