Annual Report

2008

Climate change predictions point to a warmer world within the next 50 years, a trend that is increasingly being supported by ‘on-the-ground’ measurements. However, the impact of rising temperatures on rainfall distribution patterns in the semi-arid tropics (SAT) of Africa and Asia remains far less certain.

To read more - Annual Report 2008.pdf

2007

Chickpea [Cicer arietinum] is grown in over fifty countries in a wide range of environments and cropping systems. An important component to be considered for crop adaptation to the different environments is phenology (the time to flowering, podding and maturity). Chickpea can mature in a wide timeframe ranging from 80 to 180 days depending on the genotype, growing conditions and environment. However, in at least two-thirds of the chickpea growing areas, the available crop-growing season is short (90-120 days) due to risk of drought or temperature extremities towards the end of crop season, which coincides with the pod filling stage of the crop. So, in order for the crop to escape stress at the end of the season, it is important to cultivate early maturing varieties for these areas.

To read more - Annual Report 2007.pdf

2006

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) is grown for grain and stover in the hottest and driest areas of Africa and south Asia. In India, at least 70% of the 9 m ha sown to this crop is genetically uniform single-cross hybrids, which are particularly vulnerable to downy mildew (DM) disease caused by the pseudo-fungus Sclerospora graminicola. DM is the most important pearl millet disease, causing national production losses up to 30% during epidemics.

To read more - Annual Report 2006.pdf

2005

"How would you go about improving the productivity of sorghum in west Africa so as to improve food security and increase farmers incomes, and so by building on several thousand years of farmers selection for adaptation and quality of grain?"

To read more - Annual Report 2005.pdf

2004

Everybody knows that groundnut (or peanuts, as they are known in many countries) provide a tasty snack. But few people in the developed world are aware that groundnuts are also essential part of the diets of millions of poor people. In West Africa, groundnut, which is rich in protein, oil, amino acids and vitamins, is both an important food and cash crop.

To read more - Annual Report 2004.pdf

2003

A few years ago, subsistence was a word routinely applied to agriculture in the semi-arid tropics. Farmers produced crops for their own consumption and barely made ends meet. But farmers, tired of being poor, are asking new questions. Farming in the SAT is not just about livelihoods. It's about business.

To read more - Annual Report 2003.pdf

2002

Change and evolution are central to modern society. Organizations like ICRISAT must continue to adapt, innovate and evolve. But as we move ahead seeking ways to cope with new challenges we face, we must strive to keep our guiding values firmly in mind.

To read more- Annual Report 2002.pdf

2001

Hunkered in the 10 percent of vast, sand-blown Niger that is marginally arable, Amassagal's story is one of constant battle with the coming desert. The village was settled by nomadic Bella people about 80 years ago, after a brutal drought burned up millions of acres of grazing lands, killing thousands of people, camels and cattle.

To read more- Annual Report 2001.pdf