ICRISAT Director General Dr Jacqueline Hughes honored with Lifetime Achievement in Global Agriculture Award

New Delhi: Dr Jacqueline Hughes, Director General of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), has been awarded the prestigious Lifetime Achievement in Global Agriculture Award at the 8th Asian PGPR International Conference for Sustainable Agriculture in Taiwan.

The award recognizes Dr Hughes’ lifelong dedication to agricultural research, highlighting her pioneering work in plant virology, sustainable agriculture, and food security in regions challenged by climate change and agricultural strain.

A trained virologist, Dr Hughes’ career spans over 30 years of impactful contributions to global agriculture. She has worked extensively in both Africa and Asia, leading research and development programs that have significantly improved the livelihoods of vulnerable communities.

Her leadership has driven programs focused on strategic innovation, sustainable agricultural practices, and cross-cutting research that have had far-reaching impacts across multiple continents. Through her work, Dr Hughes has promoted food and nutrition security, strengthened plant disease management, and pioneered the use of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) to reduce chemical inputs in farming.

Dr Jacqueline Hughes, Director General of ICRISAT and recipient of the 2024 PGPR Lifetime Achievement Award in Global Agriculture Award (center right); Prof. MS Reddy, Chairman, Asian PGPR Society for Sustainable Agriculture (center left); Dr Devappa, Member of the Karnataka State Public Service Commission & President of India Chapter of the Asian PGPR Society (far right); and Dr Srini Ramasamy, Organizing Secretary of the 8th Asian PGPR International Conference (far left).

In her acceptance speech at the World Vegetable Center in Shanhua, Taiwan, Dr Hughes expressed deep gratitude for the recognition.

“It is a tremendous honor to receive this award from the Asian PGPR Society. I share this achievement with the many dedicated colleagues and partners who have been integral to finding sustainable solutions for agriculture. The challenges we face due to the warming climate are substantial, especially in the semi-arid tropics, but so too are the opportunities to make a lasting impact on food security and environmental sustainability,” remarked Dr Hughes.

Since 2020, Dr Hughes has been at the helm of ICRISAT, steering its mission to enhance food security, alleviate poverty, and foster sustainable agriculture, particularly in the semi-arid regions of Africa and Asia. Under her leadership, ICRISAT has implemented innovative approaches that bolster the resilience of smallholder farmers, helping them adapt to the mounting pressures of climate change.

The Lifetime Achievement in Global Agriculture Award is the highest accolade bestowed by the Society and is a testament to Dr Hughes’ unparalleled leadership, her commitment to advancing science in service of the world’s most vulnerable farmers, and her dedication to building a sustainable and secure agricultural future.