Agricultural Transformation is on the Way with the Launch of ICRISAT

Published: 05 Jun 2025

Author: Precedence Research

Share :

The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), in collaboration with the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), announced its launch of the ICRISAT center, specially developed for south-south cooperation in agriculture in New Delhi, where the conference was held for south-south co-operation in the agriculture sector. This launch is strategic and potentially creates new pathways in the agricultural sector by signing the Memorandum of Understanding between ICRISAT and DAKSHIN. The Indian government takes this move with the intent of supporting and expanding south-south co-operation based on extending capacity and development partnerships.

The start of south-south cooperation in agriculture shows the significant change for the global agriculture sector’s development by offering a highly dedicated platform to share information and insights, scale innovations, and strengthen partnerships among nations having similar kinds of climatic, agricultural, and socio-economic status and barriers. 
While addressing at the time of launch, Dr Himanshu Pathak, director general of ICRISAT, said, "The global south possesses a rich foundation of innovation, local expertise and proven solutions, but more coordinated action, investment and partnership are needed to unlock their full potential at scale.”

This new center is supported by RIS’s policy leadership and high-level expertise in south-south cooperation along with the five-decade legacy of ICRISAT for offering innovations majorly based on technology and science across the region of Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. The innovation includes the foundation of breakthroughs like the world’s first commercial pigeon pea hybrid, Africa's first launch of biofortified pearl millet, and environment-smart, scalable farming methods that are enhancing resilience and supporting better livelihoods for millions. ISSCA has made strong partnerships with dedicated institutions for agriculture, aiming to revolutionize the sector. It includes the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, India, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, the International Rice Research Institute, the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas, along the Gates Foundation.