International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics

The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) is an international agricultural research organisation that focuses on improving food security, reducing poverty, and enhancing the resilience of farming systems in the semi-arid regions of the world. Established in 1972, ICRISAT operates as a non-profit organisation headquartered in Patancheru, near Hyderabad, Telangana, India. It works primarily in partnership with governments, research institutions, and development agencies across Asia and sub-Saharan Africa to promote sustainable agricultural practices.

Background and Establishment

ICRISAT was founded under the auspices of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) to address the chronic food insecurity and environmental challenges faced by semi-arid tropical regions. These regions are characterised by low and erratic rainfall, poor soils, and frequent droughts, which make agricultural production highly vulnerable.
The institute was established through a collaboration between the Government of India, the Rockefeller Foundation, the Ford Foundation, and other international agencies. It was envisioned as a centre of excellence for research on dryland agriculture and as part of the global effort to overcome hunger and malnutrition in developing countries.
ICRISAT’s work initially focused on improving crop productivity but later expanded to include issues such as natural resource management, climate resilience, nutrition-sensitive agriculture, and smallholder livelihoods.

Mission and Objectives

ICRISAT’s mission is to “reduce poverty, hunger, malnutrition, and environmental degradation in the dryland tropics.” The institute seeks to empower farmers by providing scientific solutions tailored to the climatic, socio-economic, and ecological conditions of semi-arid regions.
Key objectives include:

• Developing high-yielding, drought-tolerant, and disease-resistant crop varieties.
• Enhancing soil fertility, water-use efficiency, and natural resource conservation.
• Promoting sustainable agricultural intensification for smallholder farmers.
• Integrating nutrition, gender equality, and market access into agricultural development.
• Supporting policy frameworks that encourage inclusive and climate-resilient farming systems.

Research Mandate and Focus Areas

ICRISAT’s research spans multiple disciplines, combining crop improvement, agronomy, soil science, biotechnology, socioeconomics, and policy studies. Its research mandate primarily covers the semi-arid tropics of Africa and Asia, home to over 2 billion people who depend largely on rain-fed agriculture.
The institute focuses on six mandate crops, known for their adaptability to harsh environments and nutritional importance:

1. Sorghum (Jowar) – A staple cereal for millions, known for its drought resilience.
2. Pearl Millet (Bajra) – A hardy grain with high nutritional value and climate tolerance.
3. Chickpea (Gram) – A key pulse crop rich in protein and essential amino acids.
4. Pigeonpea (Arhar/Tur) – A legume vital for soil enrichment through nitrogen fixation.
5. Groundnut (Peanut) – An important oilseed and protein source for smallholder farmers.
6. Finger Millet (Ragi) – Valued for its nutrient density and role in traditional diets.

In addition to crop research, ICRISAT also works on natural resource management (NRM), agricultural diversification, and climate adaptation technologies.

Global Presence and Collaborative Network

ICRISAT operates through a decentralised network of regional and country offices across India and sub-Saharan Africa, including Kenya, Niger, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Mali, Malawi, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe. The headquarters in Patancheru serves as the central hub for coordination, research infrastructure, and training.
The institute collaborates extensively with:

• National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) in partner countries.
• International organisations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Bank.
• Universities, NGOs, and private sector partners involved in agricultural innovation and development.

Through these partnerships, ICRISAT ensures that research outputs are translated into practical applications that directly benefit farmers and rural communities.

Key Research Programmes and Initiatives

ICRISAT’s research programmes are structured around thematic areas addressing current and future challenges in agriculture:

1. Accelerated Crop Improvement: Focuses on breeding climate-resilient, high-yielding, and biofortified varieties using advanced tools such as genomics, molecular markers, and gene editing.
2. Resilient Farm Systems: Develops integrated crop-livestock systems and soil-water conservation models to sustain productivity under variable climates.
3. Nutrition and Food Systems: Promotes nutri-cereals like millets and legumes to combat malnutrition and improve dietary diversity.
4. Digital Agriculture and Data Science: Uses digital platforms, satellite imagery, and predictive analytics for weather forecasting, pest management, and precision farming.
5. Inclusive Market-Oriented Development: Strengthens value chains, market access, and agribusiness opportunities for smallholders, especially women and youth.
6. Climate Change Adaptation: Researches drought-tolerant crops, water-efficient practices, and climate-smart technologies to enhance resilience.

Major Achievements

Over the decades, ICRISAT has contributed significantly to improving agricultural productivity and sustainability in dryland regions. Some notable achievements include:

• Development of over 1,500 improved crop varieties, many of which have been adopted widely across Asia and Africa.
• Introduction of short-duration and high-yielding varieties of chickpea and pigeonpea, revolutionising pulse cultivation in India.
• Pioneering work in hybrid sorghum and pearl millet, leading to substantial yield increases and resilience to drought.
• Promotion of biofortified millets to address micronutrient deficiencies, such as iron and zinc deficiencies.
• Establishment of the Genebank at ICRISAT, which conserves over 128,000 accessions of dryland crops from more than 140 countries, serving as a vital global genetic resource.
• Initiation of the Village Level Studies (VLS) to analyse rural socio-economic dynamics and inform policy decisions.

Contributions to India and Global Agriculture

In India, ICRISAT’s research has directly supported national programmes such as the National Food Security Mission and the Millet Mission. The institute has played a pivotal role in reintroducing millets as “nutri-cereals” under government policy frameworks promoting nutrition and climate-smart agriculture.
Globally, ICRISAT’s partnerships have led to widespread adoption of improved technologies in Africa’s Sahel and Horn regions, contributing to better food security and livelihoods for millions of farmers in marginal environments.

Challenges and Future Directions

Despite its success, ICRISAT continues to address pressing challenges:

• Climate change and unpredictable weather patterns affecting dryland productivity.
• Degradation of soil and water resources.
• The need for sustainable intensification without ecological harm.
• Integration of smallholder farmers into modern markets and value chains.