ICRISAT hosted a hands-on training program on “Empowering Women #SHGs and #FPOs in Dryland Regions through Advanced Seed Production and Management Practices” from 16 to 18 April 2026. The training brought together 13 farmers from Self-Help Groups and Farmer Producer Organisations across 8 districts of Odisha. The inaugural session featured Dr Stanford Blade (@DrStanfordBlade), DDG-R&I alongside Dr Raman Babu, GRP Director Accelerated Crop Improvement, Dr Manzoor Hussain Dar (@mhdarson), Global Head Seed Systems, Dr Sobhan Sajja, Senior Scientist and Mr Chakradhara Panda, ICRISAT who shared insightful discussions on sustainable agriculture and seed systems. Participants gained practical, field-based experience in seed production, including seed treatment, maintaining seed purity, and key practices such as rogueing and isolation distance, along with demonstrations on weed, pest, and disease management to tackle real-world seed production challenges. This initiative marks a significant advancement, enhancing grassroots capacity and empowering farmers with the skills for quality seed production.

#IWD2026 celebrations with women farmers in Odisha, India International Women’s Day was celebrated across project villages in the districts of Nuapada, Balangir and Kalahandi, recognizing the vital role women play in agriculture and rural livelihoods. The events, facilitated by ICRISAT team in collaboration with Loksebak, Youth for Action and Rural Development (YAR), and the Centre for Youth and Social Development (CYSD), brought together around 350 farmers for a series of engaging and thought-provoking activities. The celebrations included a street play highlighting the importance of women’s contributions to agriculture, felicitation of progressive women farmers, an exhibition showcasing quality seeds, and cultural performances, creating a vibrant platform to acknowledge and celebrate women’s leadership and contributions in farming communities. @mhdarson @CGIAR @CGIARgender @CGIARbreeding

ICRISAT, in partnership with Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (@skuast_kashmir), conducted a five-day International Training Program on saffron cultivation and best practices in Dec 2025 at Jammu & Kashmir, with support from the FAO under the Indo–Iran Saffron Initiative. Dr Stanford Blade (@DrStanfordBlade), Deputy Director General, Research & Innovation, ICRISAT, and Dr Manzoor Hussain Dar (@mhdarson), Global Head, Seed Systems, ICRISAT, joined the inaugural program and emphasized the collaborative research, capacity development, and seed management practices to enhance productivity and traceability. As part of the programme, participants engaged in experiential training at the Advanced Research Station for Saffron and Seed Spices (ARSS&TSS) and visited the India International Kashmir Saffron Trading Centre (IIKSTC), strengthening knowledge exchange and innovation.

A Season Redefined — Farmers and Scientists Unite to Pioneer Summer Pigeonpea Cultivation In Bantanur village, nestled in #Karnataka’s Bagalkot district, a modest plot of land became the setting for a milestone in agricultural innovation. In collaboration with the Karnataka State Seed Corporation and Department of Agriculture, ICRISAT hosted a Field Day that brought together farmers, scientists, and government representatives to witness a global first: the world's first heat-tolerant pigeonpea, purpose-bred for summer cultivation. @PIBAgriculture @KrishakJagat @krishijagran Read the feature story here: pressroom.icrisat.org/a-seas…

The ICRISAT team led by Director General Dr Himanshu Pathak (@HPathakOfficial) and Assistant Director General, Dr Sanjay Agarwal, met with the @IFFCO_PR team at Kalol, Gujarat, to advance plans for establishing the Seed Research Centre (Beej Anusandhan Kendra) in the presence of IFFCO MD, Dr US Awasti (@drusawasthi) and BBSSL Chairman & Marketing Director, IFFCO, Dr Yogendra Kumar (@iffcoyogendra). Grateful to Doordarshan Gujarat for the extensive coverage of this significant collaboration!