The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) is an international organisation which conducts agricultural research for rural development, headquartered in Patancheru (Hyderabad, Telangana, India) with several regional centers (Bamako (Mali), Nairobi (Kenya)) and research stations (Niamey (Niger), Kano (Nigeria), Lilongwe (Malawi), Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Bulawayo (Zimbabwe)).
It was founded in 1972 by a consortium of organisations convened by the Ford and the Rockefeller Foundations. Its charter was signed by the FAO and the UNDP.
Since its inception, host country India has granted a special status to ICRISAT as a UN Organisation operating in the Indian territory making it eligible for special immunities and tax privileges.
ICRISAT is managed by a full-time Director General functioning under the overall guidance of an international Governing Board. The current Director General is Dr. David Bergvinson. The current chair of the Board is Prof Chandra Madramootoo.
The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) has set up iHub to provide “a creative space where agricultural tech entrepreneurs, scientists and technology experts can collaborate to innovate.”
iHub is spread over 10,000 sq. ft. at the ICRISAT campus. It includes a 40-seater accelerator facility.
An advisory council has been set up with IT Secretary (Telangana) Jayesh Ranjan, Microsoft India Managing Director Anil Bhansali, T-Hub Senior vice-President Rama Iyer and Telangana agriculture university Vice-Chancellor Praveen Rao as members.