ICRISAT director receives Lifetime Achievement in Global Agriculture Award

Director general of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Dr Jacqueline Hughes was recently awarded the Lifetime Achievement in Global Agriculture Award at the eighth Asian PGPR International Conference for Sustainable Agriculture in Taiwan

Dr Hughes' lifelong dedication to agricultural research fetched her the prestigious Lifetime Achievement in Global Agriculture Award, highlighting her pioneering work in plant virology, sustainable agriculture, and food security in regions challenged by climate change and agricultural strain.

Working extensively in both Africa and Asia, Dr Hughes has led research and development programmes that have significantly improved the livelihoods of vulnerable communities. Her leadership has driven programmes 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.

"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," remarked Dr Hughes at her acceptance speech at the World Vegetable Centre in Shanhua, Taiwan. "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."