ICRISAT Celebrates its 54th Foundation Day with a Vision for Resilient and Prosperous Drylands
ICRISAT March 28 2025
The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) commemorated its 54th Foundation Day with a milestone event focused on strengthening partnerships, reaffirming its commitment to transforming dryland agriculture and ensuring food and nutrition security in arid regions worldwide. The event brought together esteemed dignitaries, researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders to celebrate five decades of scientific excellence and partnerships.
In his Foundation Day Address, Dr Himanshu Pathak, Director General of ICRISAT, highlighted ICRISAT’s pioneering contributions over the past five decades and its roadmap ahead.
Dr Pathak listed 10 action points for the institution and staff to fulfill the organization's mandate and live up to the motto of 'Science of Discovery to Science of Delivery.'
The event also featured addresses from partners virtually:
- - Dr DK Yadav, Deputy Director General (Crop Sciences), ICAR, New Delhi, congratulated ICRISAT and commended its role in successfully improving people's livelihoods in India, Africa, and the world. He spoke of ICRISAT's strong partnership with the National Agricultural Research and Extension System (NARES). He said that with a growing population and changing climate, the need for increased farm productivity calls for greater collaboration.
- - Prof. O Jiri, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water & Rural Development, Government of Zimbabwe, in a message read out by his representative, said that their government was proud of their association with ICRISAT and to celebrate the Foundation Day with the Institute. He said that agriculture is key to transforming people's lives.
- - Dr Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Principal Secretary, Agriculture & Farmers Empowerment, Government of Odisha, spoke of ICRISAT's collaboration, commending staff for their work and emphasizing the importance of last-mile delivery.
The celebrations featured the launch of a special video titled Transforming Dryland Agriculture: Over 50 Years of Impact, underscoring ICRISAT’s contributions to sustainable agrifood systems. Dr Stanford Blade, Deputy Director General-Research & Innovation, presented ICRISAT’s strategic roadmap for securing food and nutrition in dryland regions.
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