International Crop Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT):

2. International Crop Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT): As per the findings by the ICRISAT, Land-holding farmers who engage in non-farming activity tend to improve labour efficiency on their farms.

• Objective: To understand the impact of multiple job holding on farm labour use efficiency.
• About International Crop Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT): It is an internationally recognized International Organization focused on dryland farming and agri-food systems.

o Objective: To tackle hunger, malnutrition, poverty, and environmental degradation for 2.1 billion people in drylands of Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and beyond.

o Establishment: Set up under a Memorandum of Agreement between the Government of India and CGIAR on 28 March 1972.

o Legal Status: Recognized as an “International Organisation” under Section 3 of the United Nations (Privileges and Immunities) Act, 1947 through Gazette Notification on 28 October 1972.

o Innovations: Mapped genome of cultivated groundnut (world first) → Released first commercial pigeonpea hybrid in India → Introduced Africa’s first biofortified pearl millet.

o Headquarters: Located in India, with offices in Eastern & Southern Africa, West & Central Africa.

o Research Programs: Accelerated Crop Improvement, Resilient Farm and Food Systems, and Enabling Systems Transformation.

o Focus Crops: Chickpea, pigeonpea, groundnut, sorghum, pearl millet, finger millet, small millet, oilseeds.

• Key Findings by the ICRISAT: Non-farm participation changes labour allocation decisions between farm and non-farm work.

o Migration benefits: Farmers migrating within/outside their State gain knowledge of new farm practices which they use upon return.

o Labour support: Families or hired labour manage farms in the farmer’s absence.

o Policy Recommendation: Promote structured non-farm employment to maximise positive spillovers on farming.