The research taken up in the past four decades in the International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) under Agriculture Research for Development (AR4D) in this mandal headquarters town has transformed thousands of lives in dry-lands in Asia and Africa.

“In a 2014 impact assessment study of ICRISAT’s highly successful breakthrough innovations – Jewels of ICRISAT- have yielded a return on investment of US$ 43 for every dollar invested with an internal rate of return of 41 percent. Average return on every dollar invested stood at US$ 70 if we include innovations spanning for four decades with an internal rate of 35 per cent return,” said William D. Dar, Director General, ICRISAT, while speaking to reporters here on Friday along with Deputy Director General C.L.L Gowda.

ICRISAT’s 42 anniversary celebrations concluded on Friday. The organisation also held a grand farewell function for Mr. Dar, who was retiring this month end and returning to Philippines . He has completed three five-years term as DG for ICIRSAT. Stating that they were able to improve the lives of lakhs of farmers from Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, Mr. Dar said that the investments into ICIRSAT by development partners have increased from US$22 million in 2000 to US$85 million in 2014. ICRISAT’s three top donors include Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, United Nations Agency for International Development (USAID) and CGIAR, a consortium of global agricultural research.

To a question, Mr. Dar said that they had already held discussions with Andhra Pradesh Government which has promised to implement ‘Bhuchetana’. “We have asked the government to prepare preliminary section strategy based on which we will prepare translation of strategy into action plan,” he said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by R. Avadhani / Patancheru (Medak District) – December 13th, 2014