Corporate Social Responsibility key to scientific advancement in agriculture
New book details unique and innovative approach of ICRISAT in building public-private-people centric partnerships
(L-R) Dr Peter Carberry, Director General (Acting), ICRISAT; Dr Paco Sereme, ICRISAT Governing Board Chair Designate; Dr Nigel Kerby, Chair, ICRISAT Governing Board; Dr Pooran Gaur, Research Program Director – Asia, ICRISAT; and Dr Suhas P Wani, former Research Program Director – Asia, ICRISAT, share a light moment at the launch of Dr Wani’s book. Photo: S Punna, ICRISAT
Partnerships between corporates, research institutions and farming communities can lead to more sustainable development of natural resources and livelihoods, triggering changes for wider social good, says a book released by ICRISAT.
The book ‘Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) – Win-win Propositions for Community, Corporates, and Agriculture’, documents various initiatives and programs, developed over the years at ICRISAT to enable adoption of technologies by smallholder farmers.
Edited by Dr Suhas P Wani, former Research Program Director – Asia, ICRISAT, and Dr KV Raju, Theme Leader – Policy and Impact, ICRISAT, the book features a series of case studies. It is based on empirical and science-backed evidences of actual design and implementation of CSR projects in rural areas in partnership with leading global corporates. The case studies on actual practices across India illustrate ICRISAT’s efforts on climate resilient agriculture, water footprint, improving livelihoods, diversification of crop pattern, enhancing crop productivity, and sustainable development in low rainfall regions.
Launching the book, Dr Nigel Kerby, Chair, ICRISAT Governing Board said, “The book details an innovative approach for building partnerships among various stakeholders to ensure delivery at the doorsteps of smallholder farmers.”
Photo: S Punna, ICRISAT
The book focuses on helping corporates plan a CSR strategy and scaling up of activities to the benefit of smallholder farmers and sustainable development of natural resources.
“Our approach is transforming subsistence agriculture into a business model using technology and scientific tools, at the same time advancing us towards achieving food, nutrient and income security,” said Dr Peter Carberry, Director General (Acting), ICRISAT.
“We are very pleased to share the learnings of these particular unique initiatives which will benefit millions of farmers across Asia and Africa,” said Dr Wani and Dr Raju.
The book also covers the philosophy and practices of CSR, emerging policies, and their implications in India. While discussing soil health improvement, improving rural wastewater management and enhancing rural livelihoods, the book offers macro and micro perspectives of CSR work and its critical benefits to both community and natural resources.
The launch was during a special symposium organized in honor of Dr Wani, who superannuated after 36 years of service to ICRISAT. All throughout his career, his work focused on scaling up science-based interventions.
