News Overview

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,

By Prem Raj Bhatt, Mosharaf Hossain, Swati Nayak, Rabin Kushma Tharu, Jitendra Sah With women-led cooperatives taking the lead, IRRI and its partners in Nepal scale out climate-resilient varieties to build an inclusive, efficient, and responsive seed delivery system. Rice accounts for 53% of cereal grain production in Nepal and contributes 5.7% to the country’s total GDP and 13.5% to

By Shalini Gakhar As climate pressures and food insecurity continue to challenge global agriculture, IRRI showcased a suite of digital innovations that aim to transform the way farmers grow food. Nairobi, KENYA (April 2025) — The inaugural CGIAR Science Week, held in Nairobi, Kenya, was a vibrant convergence of global research leaders and innovators aiming to reimagine the food

The CAL-PSE Program generated knowledge about how to engage the private sector to address socio-environmental issues in the Amazon, with innovative approaches and a solid network of local partners. The ‘Catalyzing and Learning through Private Sector Engagement for Biodiversity Conservation’ program (CAL-PSE) is an innovative partnership led by the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT. The objective of the

Learning from the IDEAS 2025 Multi-Dimensional Evaluation Conference, Italy We caught up with Allison Poulos, Technical Reporting and Transition Manager and Solomon Adebayo, MELIA Manager – both in the Project Coordination Unit (PCU) of CGIAR to gain insights into their experiences and key takeaways from the recent Conference on Multi-Dimensional Evaluation for Influence and Transformation in Rome (4-6 March 2025). 

A review paper on the genetic improvement of bananas has been selected as one of Wiley’s most cited papers, highlighting its critical role in improving one of the world’s most important staple crops. Published in The Plant Genome, the research probes into CRISPR/Cas genome editing techniques that could impact banana breeding, making the crop more resilient to devastating diseases. Led by

Delegates from Côte d’Ivoire’s Council of Coffee and Cocoa (CCC) and the Centre National de Recherche Agronomique (CNRA) visited IITA-CGIAR headquarters in Ibadan from 7 to 11 April. The familiarization visit marked the first in a series of engagements to build strategic partnerships, explore research models, and adopt modern technologies to strengthen Côte d’Ivoire’s agricultural development—starting with its key commodities: coffee and cocoa. Côte d’Ivoire is

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is delighted to welcome Dr. Junel B. Soriano as its new Deputy Director General – Philippines Representative. A recognized leader in the country’s agriculture sector, Dr. Soriano brings over two decades of experience in advancing science-based solutions for sustainable and resilient agri-food systems. Before this appointment, Dr. Soriano served as Director IV of