Corporate Social Responsibility
ICRISAT works closely with a variety of companies and foundations to help achieve their CSR objectives.
This ranges from rural development and women empowerment to becoming water and carbon neutral.
Contact us at: Icrisat-smc@cgiar.org
Partners
News & Stories
Ongoing Projects
Doubling farmers’ income through Integrated Watershed Management in Bellary district in Karnataka, India (Phase 2)
CSR partner: JSW Foundation
Other Partners: Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs);Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), Government of Karnataka (Department of Agriculture and Watershed Development)
Duration: 01/06/2018 to 31/05/2023
Promotion of vegetable cultivation along with Wadi for nutritional security and income enhancement among the tribal families of Langigarh block of Kalahandi district, Odisha
Wal-Mart Foundation: Accelerating value chain benefits for improved income for farmers and nutrition for consumers
CSR partner: Wal-Mart Foundation
Duration: 01/07/2018 to 30/06/2020
Improving Livelihoods and Agricultural Productivity through Integrated Watershed Management
CSR partner: Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.
Other partners: Rural Education And Development Studies (READS),NGO; watershed committee
Duration: 01/10/2018 to 31/3/2019
Safe drinking water for the selected villages
CSR partner: AB InBEv
Duration: 01/10/2017- 31/03/2019
Past Projects
Insights from partners
Firstly I think the enthusiasm of the villagers to take on the initiatives around community development was really nice to see. And their involvement in partnering with ICRISAT and Asian Paints to undertake some of the development was very encouraging.
They find a lot of positivity in the work they have been doing and they really feel interested even in looking for other opportunities and not just the ones provided through this community development. They really seem to have developed confidence in themselves
What we realize is that it is not only about the science behind the water conservation but it is working with the whole community and creating a holistic and integrated environment of development“
Aashish Kshetry
Vice President – Supply Chain
Asian Paints
One very crucial thing that would ensure [sustainability] is the right partners and we have found that in ICRISAT because they have the right combination of bringing scientific expertise and also their understanding of the communities.
The programs have acted as bridge building activities for us and they have really helped us in neutralizing those flash points which can really be detrimental to a healthy working environment for us and other members of the community.
Meenakshi Sharma
FORMER – VP of Sustainability
SAB Miller India
Big Ideas for CSR
Following are just some of the Big Ideas for contributing to CSR for sustainable development.
Click the 14 options for a one-page impact pathway
Download CSR Flyer will all the 14 options.Why focusing on these 4 areas is important:
Environmental sustainability
Nothing will operate without the sustainable use of water, soils, land and energy
This is the basis for any industry to survive – water, soils, land and energy. Whether it is natural resources for industrial use or community use – it is critical for any sustainability. This is not about conservation but about sustainable use. Environmental sustainability is critical to work within communities – building a positive reputation.
Market development
Innovations will lead to major developments and revolutions
Some of the key areas that can revolutionize the profitability of agriculture are Information and Communication Technology, on-farm mechanization and genomics.
Social development
Agricultural success is necessary for rural communities to be able to afford health and education and for the country’s food security – agriculture is the basis of all this
The success of agriculture is critical for the survival of all rural communities (half the population), and to feed the whole population. Empowering women will make the largest difference to the whole family and avoid the most dramatic of human abuses. Engaging youth is critical for the long-term viability of agriculture. Malnutrition in rural areas needs to be tackled at the source – agriculture and rural communities.
Scientific advancement
Markets are core to economic growth
Working the whole agricultural value chain is needed for profitable viable success.This not only enables farmers to have access to required inputs but also brings their products to market in an efficient and effective way. Building entrepreneurial skills and agribusiness are key part of developing value chains. Untapped opportunities exist for the value chain of Smart Foods.
Awards
We are excited to have been recognized for the CSR work we have partnered on. The awards include:
Asia CSR leadership awards - for the organization with the best environmental friendly project
The Asian Leadership Awards recognizes remarkable business leaders and organizations in Asia for their continuing commitment to excellence, developing best practices and innovative strategies.
The work improved water resources availability (surface and groundwater), increased use efficiency that consequently strengthened various ecosystem services.
Special mention- CSR Good Practice (Case Study) Recognition
ICRISAT received the IICA-NGOBOX Good Practice Recognition Special Mention award. The case study ‘ICRISAT – SABMiller @ Medak’ is focused on improved livelihoods through community water resources management in community watersheds. Read case study
This was awarded at the India CSR Summit 2015, Bengaluru, October 2015. The IICA-NGOBOX Good Practice Recognition 2015 Awards is an initiative of the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs in collaboration with NGOBOX which offered a platform for Indian corporate houses and NGOs to showcase how development concerns have been met with social commitment.
The award
Gold standard award finalist for public private partnership for the establishment of the ICRISAT Development Center
This was awarded by Public Affairs Asia.
This award recognizes excellence in any project involving both the public and private sectors in the Asia Pacific. It is awarded to a partnership as a group in recognition of the public affairs and communications engagement, execution and outcomes connected to their PPP program.
Krishi Sanman Award to Dr Suhas P Wani for contributions to Indian agriculture
Awarded by ABP Majha (Marathi News channel), January 2015
Dr Suhas P Wani, Director, ICRISAT Development Center, was awarded the Krishi Sanman Award for his contributions to Indian agriculture.
The award was presented to Dr Wani, Director, ICRISAT Development Center, in Pune, India, by Mr Prakash Javadekar, Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, and Mr E Khadse, Minister of Agriculture, Government of Maharashtra.
Abhinav – Innovative Practices in IWMP award
Awarded by the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, February 2015
ICRISAT received the Abhinav Puraskar (Innovative Award) in Integrated Watershed Management. Recognizing the watershed projects’ impacts, the Department of Land Resources, Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, awarded ICRISAT the Abhinav Puraskar (Innovative Award) in Integrated Watershed Management at a ceremony held in New Delhi. The award was received by Dr Suhas P Wani, Director, ICRISAT Development Center on behalf of ICRISAT.
ABP News-CSR leadership award under COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
ABP News-CSR leadership award – Best project under COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT category
ICRISAT was presented the ABP News – CSR 
LEADERSHIP AWARD for the Best Community Development Project, during the World CSR Congress, held at Taj Lands End, Mumbai on 17th February, 2016.
The award under the community development category was conferred on the “Parasai-Sindh Watershed Project,” implemented with the support of Coca-Cola India Foundation, India. The Coca-Cola India Foundation for Rural Water Infrastructure and the ICRISAT-led consortium, which had participants from the National Research Centre for Agro-forestry (NRCAF), farmers and the Government of Uttar Pradesh, identified the micro-watershed, Parasai-Sindh in Babina block of Jhansi district, as a pilot site for improving water use efficiency, groundwater recharge and strengthening ecosystem services through the community watershed management program.
Media links:
ABP News-CSR leadership award – Under the category ACCOUNTING FOR CLIMATE CHANGE
ICRISAT was presented the ABP News – CSR LEADERSHIP AWARD under the category, Accounting for Climate Change during the World CSR Congress, held at Taj Lands End, Mumbai on 17th February, 2016.
The award recognized ICRISAT’s efforts to promote climate-smart agricultural practices, and the development of a pool of climate-smart agricultural practices shared with the agricultural community through participatory and partnership research approaches.
The integrated watershed management model adopted by ICRISAT is a holistic approach for improving resource use efficiency and enhancing livelihoods through proper land and water management, integrated nutrient management, adoption of improved cultivars, rainwater harvesting, integrated pest and disease management, and capacity development of stakeholders within the community.
ICRISAT develops solutions to help communities cope with dryland stresses and adapt to climate change by understanding the impact of dryland stresses on smallholder agriculture; undertaking crop simulation models; helping develop value chains for crops that are better adapted to the harsh and variable climate of the drylands; better farm management (e.g., soil revitalization, water conservation, and crop and livestock diversity); and providing climate modeling and decision-making tools.
Media links:
World CSR Congress- 50 Most Impactful Leaders in Water & Water Management
Dr Suhas P Wani, Research program Director-Asia and Director, ICRISAT Development Center, has been honored as one of “50 Most Impactful Leaders in Water & Water Management” at the world CSR congress held on 17th February, 2016 at Taj Lands End, Mumbai.
The 50 Most Impactful Leaders in Water & Water Management is a recognition to those leaders who are missionaries and passionate about Water Management and whose works in Water Management have contributed to Social change.
With 35 years of service in ICRISAT, Dr. Wani was one of the early pioneers in watershed management in India. Outside of India, Dr Wani has helped thousands of farmers across several Asian countries including China, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.
Media links:
Best Livelihoods Initiative Award
Multidisciplinary high-class science
From natural resource management, genetics, bioinformatics and phenotyping to economics and social sciences.
On the ground in Africa and Asia
With offices in Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe and India.
Strong networks
As we work in partnership at all levels – local, national, regional and international.
Participatory methods
Have been developed and are used as part of our work, involving the farmers through to the government and private industry where change is needed.
Recognized as independent
As an international non-profit organization that has worked in Africa and Asia for over 40 years, our scientific credibility and non-partisan approach are well recognized.
Stories
Bundelkhand cries out for CSR
Farmer suicides, famine deaths, distress migration—for 18 out of the last 30 years, recurring and long droughts have been the bane of the 21 million poor and marginalized people of Bundelkhand, according to a 2014 study by the National Institute of Disaster Management.
India-EU project for waste water reuse raises crop yield
Crops such as okra, brinjal and chilli plants – irrigated with re-used treated waste water under a jointly funded India-EU project – have shown increased yields of up to 40 per cent as compared to those irrigated by fresh water, according to a review.
World CSR Day: ICRISAT wins two CSR awards for work on climate change and community development
For its science-backed development theInternational Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)received awards in two categories —Accounting for climate change and Community development the ABP News –Global CSR Excellence &Leadership Awards. These were announced during the World CSR Congress held in Mumbai, India on 17 February.
ICRISAT wins two CSR Awards
For its science-backed development the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) received awards in two categories — Accounting for climate change and Community development at the ABP News – Global CSR Excellence & Leadership Awards.
After Karnataka, more States evince interest in Icrisat’s Bhoochetana
Icrisat’s Bhoochetana programme, which is aimed at checking the health of soil and suggesting corrective measures, is gaining momentum. After successful implementation in a few districts in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh have shown interest to introduce the programme.
ICRISAT launches new projects for farmers
Three knowledge-sharing and watershed projects aimed to improve crop productivity in Karnataka were launched by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in collaboration with the Karnataka government, JSW foundation and Anandana Coca-Cola India foundation on Thursday at Icrisat headquarters in Patancheru.
Dramatic improvement in groundwater levels
G. Sattaiah is an elderly farmer of this village. Since the past two years he has been witnessing a visible change in the village.
RECL-ICRISAT initiative to improve small ryots’ livelihood
As part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities, the Rural Electrification Corporation Ltd (RECL) is partnering with ICRISAT to improve the livelihood of smallholder farmers by adopting a science-led integrated watershed development approach.
For small farmers, ICRISAT bats on scientific advancements
Partnerships, especially to further the adoption of scientific advancements that benefit the smallholder farmers, were the recurring theme at the 73rd Governing Board meeting of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT). Appropriate partnerships with the private industry were on the agenda which included partnering with companies for their Corporate Social Responsibility.
Icrisat for partnership to benefit marginal farmers
Partnerships, especially to further the adoption of scientific advancements that benefit the marginal farmer, was the recurring theme at the 73rd Governing Board meeting of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (IIcrisat) held recently in Hyderabad and New Delhi. Appropriate partnerships with the private industry were high on the agenda which included partnering with companies for their corporate social responsibility.
The biggest challenge we face today is the attitude of people
Being listed among the `50 Most Impactful Leaders in Water & Water Management’ in the world is no mean feat. And for scientist Suhas P Wani, director of the development center at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi -Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), the honour is just another notch in his long list of accomplishments. The Hyderabadi scientist was honoured for his work on rainwater harvesting and soil conservation methods in Mumbai recently .