CGIAR Executive Managing Director Commends ICRISAT's Work in Dryland Agriculture
Institutional News
Dr Ismahane Elouafi, Executive Managing Director of CGIAR, visited the ICRISAT Headquarters in Hyderabad, India, from January 30-31. During her visit, she commended the organization’s pioneering efforts in tackling the growing challenges of dryland agriculture in the face of escalating global temperatures.
"When we talk about drylands or ecosystems that are more difficult for agriculture, ICRISAT, as an organization, comes to mind as a center that has produced great science and innovation throughout the last 50-plus years," said Dr Elouafi.
During the two-day visit, Dr Elouafi engaged extensively with ICRISAT's leadership team, toured research facilities, and participated in a special town hall session with staff members in India and across Africa.
Dr Jacqueline Hughes, Director General of ICRISAT, warmly received Dr Elouafi at the campus and underscored the collaborative efforts between CGIAR and ICRISAT in addressing the multifaceted challenges of dryland agriculture.
"ICRISAT is delighted to contribute significantly to the mission of the One CGIAR. Our journey is grounded in science, innovation, and inclusivity with a commitment to sustainable agriculture in the drylands.
"Together, we will continue to sow the seeds of progress, nurturing a future where agriculture thrives and communities flourish in Asia, Africa and beyond," said Dr Hughes.
(Clockwise from top: Dr Elouafi at the Rapid Generation Advancement Facility, listening to a presentation on farm mechanization, at the Genebank's seed laboratory and at the Center of Excellence on Climate Change for Plant Protection)
A highlight of the visit was Dr Elouafi's participation in the "Tribal Women Millet Conclave Event," organized by the Agribusiness and Innovation Platform. At the event, Dr Elouafi had the opportunity to meet tribal women farmers from Telangana, Odisha, and Assam states of India, showcasing traditional millet products crafted by tribal women Self Help Groups (SHGs). Through this interaction, Dr Elouafi gained valuable insights into ICRISAT's initiatives to empower women farmers and SHGs in the millet value chain.
Watch the video for Dr Elouafi's thoughts on ICRISAT.
