A robust, more efficient research structure is part of the reorganization initiative at ICRISAT that aims at building a cohesive and interconnected body of work in agricultural research. The revitalized framework is expected to seamlessly integrate and deliver agricultural research outputs across the drylands of Asia and Africa. The strength of this framework is the deeply interlinked global and regional programs working towards common and interdependent goals.

1. Newsletter
Happenings
In-house version 13 Aug 2021, No.1919
ICRISAT introduces an invigorated research structure
The share of foundation, translational, local adaptive and scaling-for-impact research in the three Global research
programs.
Arobust, more efficient research structure is part of
the reorganization initiative at ICRISAT that aims at
building a cohesive and interconnected body of work in
agricultural research. The revitalized framework is
expected to seamlessly integrate and deliver agricultural
research outputs across the drylands of Asia and Africa.
The strength of this framework is the deeply interlinked
global and regional programs working towards common
and interdependent goals.
Under the leadership of Dr Jacqueline d’Arros Hughes,
Director General, ICRISAT, research will now be grouped
under 3 Global research programs, implemented
through 18 research clusters, supported by 3 Regional
Directors – one each for Asia, Eastern and Southern
Africa (ESA) and West and Central Africa (WCA):
▪
▪ develop market-driven climate-resilient nutritious
cultivars with high yield potential and accelerated
genetic gain utilizing genebank accessions, genomics,
breeding, physiology, disease-insect protection,
together with modern tools of speed breeding and
data-driven decisions. It will enable quick access of
quality seed of improved varieties to farmers through
improved seed systems.
▪
▪ Resilient Farm and Food Systems: The program will
address the critical issues of water management
and land degradation in the drylands. Innovations to
help smallholders adapt to and mitigate the impacts
of climate change on agriculture will be a focus of
this program. Our continued success in watershed
interventions and soil health improvement will be
useful in increasing incomes, enhancing sustainability
and imparting climate resilience.
▪
▪ Enabling Systems Transformations: This program
will focus on nutrition, agribusiness innovation and
women-youth empowerment. It will work to enable
better policies and facilitate innovations, markets
linkages and capacity development to transform
farm and food systems and improve livelihoods and
incomes of smallholder farmers in the drylands.
The three programs contain a blend of research
modalities, viz. foundation, translational, local adaptive
and scaling for impact.
The activities in the three Global research programs will
be implemented in Asia, ESA and WCA as part of several
initiatives/projects between 2021 and 2023 through
partnerships with different stakeholders, including
South-South collaboration for inter-regional technology
transfer. The Accelerated Crop Improvement program
will develop new market-driven crop varieties, while the
Resilient Farm and Food Systems program will develop
agronomic practices that conserve soil and water
resources and minimize climate risk. Finally, the Enabling
Systems Transformation program will explore socio-
economic and policy environments for upscaling of new
varieties and management practices in the drylands and
even beyond.
As part of the restructuring at ICRISAT, three Regional
Directors – one each for Asia, ESA and WCA – will now