Introduction

As ICRISAT moves forward into this millennium, there is a need to take stock of what it has done and what lies ahead. This document outlines ICRISAT's major achievements in the period 2000-2004 and challenges in period 2005-2009. Presented in five themes (Teaming up, Transformation, Triumphs in Science, Turnaround and The Future), it synthesizes collective inputs from senior scientists and staff.

These accomplishments were made possible through TEAM ICRISAT and its partners under the stewardship of Dr. William Dar with the sustained support of donors and guidance of the Governing Board.

Teaming Up

Mapped out a new vision, mission and research strategy

Charted a new vision, mission and research strategy
Advocated Grey to Green Revolution as the battle cry for the semi-arid tropics (SAT)
Mobilized broad support for the new vision, mission, research strategy and the Grey to Green Revolution.

Built ‘TEAM ICRISAT'

Built ‘TEAM ICRISAT' to pursue the new vision and mission
Trained staff to internalize ‘TEAM ICRISAT ' and empowered teams
Established effective communication channels across teams and management
Rewarded teams through awards and recognition.

Transformation

‘ Science with a Human Face' as ICRISAT's way of life

Put a human face to ICRISAT's science
Mobilized staff and partners to do agricultural research tailored to the SAT poor
Changed policies and humanized organizational processes
Institutionalized and nurtured a culture of scientific excellence.

Streamlined programs and decentralized O&M setup

Adopted a thematic approach to research programs and management
Implemented a lean, flat and responsive organization
Decentralized and empowered regional hubs
Aligned research thrusts with the Millennium Development Goals

Institutional innovations

Enhanced accessibility and visibility of ICRISAT
Pursued innovative resource mobilization measures
Pioneered innovative public-private sector partnerships
Increased special project funding from $5.9 M to $13.5 M
Blazed the trail of e-learning and harnessed ICT for knowledge and seamless management
Leveraged ICRISAT's assets and capabilities
Implemented cost optimization and cost-saving measures
Created a safer and more secure workplace.

Triumphs in Science

CGIAR's recognition of excellence

Won two King Baudouin Awards (2002 and 2004)
Won one CGIAR Best Scientist Award (2002)
Won two Promising Young Scientist Awards (2003 and 2004)
Rated superior in 2003

Strategic assessments and impacts

Identified major SAT changes, emerging trends and their implications for research priorities
Performed strategic assessments to guide research direction and strategy in the SAT
Synthesized and institutionalized partnerships and innovation systems perspectives
Shifted from commodity to a systems approach in social science research.

Crop improvement

Bred and released varieties and parental lines for hybrids and open pollinated varieties
Developed CMS system for producing pigeonpea hybrids
Developed and tested guinea race sorghum hybrids in WCA (first time)
Achieved breakthroughs in Helicoverpa resistance
Developed cost-effective IPM strategies for legumes
Designed seminal strategy in developing mini-core collections representing species diversity
Gained leads in improving crop productivity under drought through root trait-breeding.

Biotechnology

Tested world's first GMO groundnut, pigeonpea and chickpea
Released first public-bred marker-assisted selection crop in India (pearl millet hybrid HHB 67-2)
Unraveled mystery of sterility mosaic virus
Generated information on biosafety of transgenic crops to non-target natural enemies
Developed cutting-edge research facilities for applied genomics and transgenics.

Watersheds

Pursued a sustainable development research agenda and developed consortium model
Scaled-up community-based watershed management approach in India and advocated it as a movement in Asia
Developed South-South linkages between Asia and SSA
Strengthened on-farm participatory research

Seed systems - Ensured that ICRISAT's improved crop varieties reach poor farmers.

Linking farmers with markets - Recognized the importance of markets to farmers; mainstreamed work on commercialization of crops.

The New Sahel - Established as a driver and strategic entry point for sustainable livelihoods and poverty reduction in the Sahel

Low-cost drip irrigation technology to poor farmers
New fruit trees and vegetable varieties
Solutions to low soil fertility, erosion, low yields and low profitability.

Turnaround

Attained financial stability

Turned around financial performance from a deficit of $0.600 M in 1999 to a surplus of $3.297 M in 2004
Increased gross revenues from $23.4 M in 2000 to $30.3 M in 2004
Stabilized reserves from $6.9 M in 2002 to $8.86 M at present
Increased earned income from $0.971 M in 2002 to $2.719 M at present
Attained significant exchange gains on investments in recent years.

Improved staff morale

Turned low staff morale and institutional uncertainty into a strong, stable organization
Restored confidence and optimism in the organization
Met the needs and aspirations of staff
Brought about transparency in decision-making.

The Future

Research challenges

Fulfilling the research agenda and achieving greater research impacts in SSA
Putting transgenic products in the public domain
Addressing contemporary challenges in crop improvement and protection
Enhancing cross theme collaboration
Promoting alternative uses of mandate crops
Creating new science tools
Sensitizing donors and policy makers about the SAT
Optimizing opportunities in ICT and e-learning.

Institutional challenges

Sustaining momentum gained in 2000–2004
Fine-tuning decentralization in the SSA hubs
Sustain efforts to increase core-funding and innovative resource mobilization
Gearing up for the EPMR in 2008
Modernizing equipment, instruments and tools
Sustaining cost management
Strengthening inter-center collaboration through the Alliance of the Future Harvest centers of the CGIAR
Intensifying strategic partnerships, alliances and South-South collaboration.