International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics

What International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics does

ICRISAT is a non-profit, non-political international agricultural research organization established on 28 March 1972 under a Memorandum of Agreement between the Government of India and CGIAR, and granted specified International Organisation status under the United Nations (Privileges and Immunities) Act, 1947. Headquartered in Patancheru (Hyderabad), India, with regional hubs in Nairobi (Kenya) for Eastern and Southern Africa and Bamako (Mali) for West and Central Africa, plus country offices in eight additional countries, ICRISAT employs 5,001-10,000 people across Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Its mission is to reduce hunger, malnutrition, poverty, and environmental degradation in the drylands of Asia and sub-Saharan Africa — a market of over 2.1 billion people, 50% of whom are resource-poor smallholder farmers — through improved crop varieties, resilient farming systems, and agrifood system transformation.

ICRISAT's research is organized around three flagship programs: Accelerated Crop Improvement (ACI), Resilient Farming Systems (RFS), and Transforming Agrifood System (TAS), anchored by one of the world's most extensive genebanks for dryland crops (sorghum, pearl millet, finger millet, small millets, chickpea, pigeonpea, groundnut). Underlying technologies include genomic selection, computed tomography phenotyping, rapid generation advancement, multispectral imaging, nanopore sequencing, AI-driven pest diagnostics (the Plantix app serving 50 million users), digital soil health mapping (10+ million hectares), and the MahaVistar AI advisory platform. The Genebank has facilitated export of 1.36 million seed samples to 176 countries and import of 218,000 samples from 96 countries, while Sorghum developed by ICRISAT constitutes 60-80% of active collections used by Indian private seed companies.

ICRISAT's business model is hybrid: a non-profit research institute operating primarily on pooled CGIAR funding from donors (BMGF, EU, GIZ, Irish Aid, Mastercard Foundation, McKnight Foundation, AFDB, Government of Telangana, and others), supplemented by fee-based research services (genotyping, phenotyping, soil/water analysis, aflatoxin testing, grain quality, seed processing, business incubation) and project-specific government contracts. GTM is partnerships-led and policy-driven — working through National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) in 10+ countries, CGIAR sister centers, government extension services, farmer organizations, women's self-hel

Name

International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics

Legal name

International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)

Website

https://icrisat.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

ICRISAT is a non-profit CGIAR research institute developing climate-resilient dryland crop varieties and farming systems for smallholder farmers across Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, headquartered in Hyderabad with regional hubs in Kenya and Mali.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Agricultural Research

NAICS

Oilseed and Grain Farming (1111), Dry Pea and Bean Farming (111130), Oilseed and Grain Combination Farming (111191)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700), Agricultural Production-Crops (100)

akta.pro primary industry

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Advisory (AFACABAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sorghum & Millet Farming (AFAGAAAF), Chickpea (Garbanzo) Farming (AFAGABAG), Cereal & Grain Seeds (Wheat, Barley, Oats, Rye) (AFABAFAB)

Keywords

• Agricultural research services
• Crop genetic improvement
• Germplasm conservation
• Climate-resilient agriculture
• Dryland farming systems

Headquarters

HQ city

New Delhi

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. International Agricultural Research Funding: ICRISAT is a CGIAR center and operates primarily through international agricultural research funding from governments, foundations, and multilateral organizations. CGIAR receives pooled funding from donors to support research programs across its network of centers.
2. Research Services and Consultancy: ICRISAT provides fee-based research services including genotyping and sequencing, phenotyping, soil and water analysis, food safety and aflatoxin testing, rapid generation advancement, grain quality assessment, seed processing, and business incubation.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

ICRISAT is an international non-profit agricultural research organization that develops climate-resilient crop varieties for seven mandate dryland crops (chickpea, pigeonpea, groundnut, sorghum, pearl millet, finger millet, small millets), conserves plant genetic resources through its Genebank, and delivers fee-based laboratory and research services including genotyping, phenotyping, soil and water analysis, grain quality assessment, and food safety/aflatoxin testing to research institutions, governments, and agribusiness clients.

Product overview

ICRISAT operates as a multi-disciplinary agricultural research institute organized around three interconnected research programs—Accelerated Crop Improvement (ACI), Resilient Farming Systems (RFS), and Transforming Agrifood System (TAS)—supported by a central Genebank and the Dryland Academy for capacity building. The institute offers a portfolio of fee-for-service laboratory and testing services (Genotyping and Sequencing, Phenotyping, Grain Quality Assessment, Soil and Water Analysis, Food Safety/Aflatoxin Testing, Seed Processing, Rapid Generation Advancement, Germplasm Distribution), commercialized through its Business Incubation service. The research portfolio covers seven mandate crops (chickpea, pigeonpea, groundnut, sorghum, pearl millet, finger millet, and small millets), with Digital Agriculture emerging as a cross-cutting technology enabler. The Smart Food initiative drives consumer awareness and market demand for nutritious dryland crops.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Smart Food: A platform promoting smart food choices and sustainable consumption
• Dryland Academy
• AgriPact
• ISSCA

Quantifiable outcome

• 1.6% annual genetic gain in groundnut yields over two decades through breeding programme
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability8 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

29 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and major.

• Odisha State Seeds CorporationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 April 2026Joint team from Odisha State Seeds Corporation and ICRISAT visited trial plots to assess climate-resilient pulse varieties currently under crop trials, including pigeon pea varieties ICPV 25444 and ICPL-22110.
• Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 April 2026ICRISAT and ICAR have published joint analysis outlining strategies for agricultural resilience including crop diversification toward pulses and oilseeds, precision nutrient management, and renewable energy integration to build resilience against supply shocks like fertilizer price spikes.
• Professor Jayashankar Telangana Agricultural University (PJTAU)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 April 2026Telangana Government partnered with ICRISAT and PJTAU to improve soil health in the state through capacity-building programs. PJTAU enrolled over 1,000 volunteers and committed to training at least 30,000 soil health volunteers across Telangana villages.
• ICAR-CRIDAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 February 2026ICRISAT partnered with ICAR-CRIDA and IRRI alongside the Government of Odisha for the Odisha Agriculture Drought Mitigation Programme inception workshop.
• International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 February 2026ICRISAT and IRRI partner with Government of Odisha for the Roll Out of Odisha Agriculture Drought Mitigation Programme. The two CGIAR centers also set a joint vision to demonstrate integrated seed systems for dryland farming in South Asia.
• Government of OdishacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 January 2026ICRISAT signed MoU with Government of Odisha under the National Drought Mitigation Project and Odisha Agriculture Drought Mitigation Programme for seed systems and drought-resilient agriculture.
• Department of Agriculture, Government of BiharcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 June 2025The Bihar Centre of Excellence for Millet Value Chain is jointly implemented by ICRISAT, RPCAU, BAU Sabour, and the Department of Agriculture, Government of Bihar. The project aligns with Khet Bachao Abhiyan and Bihar's Fourth Agriculture Road Map.
• IFFCO (Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative) and BBSSLcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 June 2025ICRISAT, IFFCO, and BBSSL signed a tripartite agreement to establish the Beej Anusandhan Kendra (Seed Research Hub) in Gujarat, India, for advancing seed innovation and farmer empowerment.
• Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 January 2024PJTSAU collaborated with ICRISAT, ICAR-KVK, and IOPEPC at the Groundnut Stakeholders Meeting to enhance production and export strategies in Telangana, addressing seed quality, market operations, export standards, and post-harvest practices.
• Indian Council of Agricultural Research - Krishi Vigyan Kendras (ICAR-KVK)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 January 2024ICRISAT collaborated with ICAR-KVK, PJTSAU, and IOPEPC to organize the Groundnut Stakeholders Meeting bringing together farmers, market leaders, shellers, and exporters to strengthen Telangana's groundnut value chain.
• Indian Oilseeds and Produce Export Promotion Council (IOPEPC)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 January 2024IOPEPC collaborated with ICRISAT, PJTSAU, and ICAR-KVK to address groundnut export standards, trade regulations, and market opportunities for Rabi season groundnut cultivation in Telangana.
• Dr Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University (RPCAU), PusacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2023RPCAU is a joint implementing partner in the Bihar Centre of Excellence for Millet Value Chain project, contributing research expertise and academic resources to the millet cultivation initiative in Bihar.
• Bihar Agricultural University (BAU), SabourcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2023BAU Sabour is a joint implementing partner in the Bihar Centre of Excellence for Millet Value Chain project alongside ICRISAT and RPCAU, working with the Department of Agriculture, Government of Bihar.
• Government of India (Ministry of Agriculture)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICRISAT collaborated with Government of Bihar to support implementation of Bihar's 4th Krishi Road Map, aiming to enhance sustainability and profitability of crop production across diverse agro-climatic zones.
• CGIAR ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICRISAT is a research center of the CGIAR consortium, collaborating with other CGIAR centers on shared research programs, germplasm exchange, and food system transformation initiatives.
• CGIAR Germplasm Health Units (GHUs)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICRISAT's Germplasm Health/Plant Quarantine Unit hosts CGIAR-GHU Working Group meetings and collaborates with other CGIAR centers to ensure safe germplasm exchange across borders for developing resilient crops.
• ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICRISAT works closely with ICAR-NBPGR which has facilitated export of 1.36 million seed samples to 176 countries and import of 218,000 seed samples from 96 countries for conservation and breeding programs.
• World Vegetable CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld Vegetable Center participated in the 8th CGIAR-GHU Working Group meeting hosted by ICRISAT, discussing germplasm health and safe movement of genetic resources across borders.
• SPC Centre for Pacific Crops and Trees (CePaCT)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCePaCT participated in the 8th CGIAR-GHU Working Group meeting hosted by ICRISAT, contributing to discussions on transformative advancements in germplasm health for global food security.
• South Korea National GenebankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerICRISAT repatriated four key crops—sorghum, groundnut, foxtail millet, and proso millet—to South Korea's National Genebank as part of commitments under ITPGRFA, supporting global plant genetic resources conservation.
• Svalbard Global Seed Vault (NordGen and Crop Trust)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICRISAT deposited 2,950 seeds of 56 species to the Svalbard Global Seed Vault in October 2024, including pearl millet, sorghum, and 28 Arachis wild relatives of groundnut, as part of global seed conservation efforts.
• Catholic Relief Services (CRS)majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCRS is listed as a key partner in ICRISAT's partnership network, contributing to development and implementation of agricultural programs.
• Sehgal FoundationminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSehgal Foundation is listed as a key partner in ICRISAT's development activities.
• International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and CIMMYTcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICRISAT and CIMMYT launched a new initiative to fast-track climate-resilient crops for dryland farmers in Africa and India, combining expertise in crop improvement and agricultural research.
• ICRISAT and IFPRI (CGIAR India Policy Innovation Hub)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICRISAT and IFPRI launched the CGIAR India Policy Innovation Hub to drive evidence-based agricultural policy research and innovation in India.
• SBI FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSBI Foundation joined hands with UAS Raichur and ICRISAT to launch the SMART-CROP Initiative for agricultural development.
• IITA (International Institute of Tropical Agriculture)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICRISAT and IITA strengthened cooperation for the Sahel Region, with the Deputy Director General of IITA visiting ICRISAT in Mali to explore expanded collaboration.
• FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerICRISAT and FAO collaborate on various initiatives including farmer-led seed enterprises in Mozambique and ICRISAT-bred sorghum flourishment programs in Saudi Arabia under the FAO-supported Saudi REEF Program.
• African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAIMS and ICRISAT partnered to advance climate science research, innovation, education, youth employment, and policy engagement on climate science in Africa.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• CIMMYT (International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center): CGIAR sister center focused on maize and wheat improvement. ICRISAT and CIMMYT have launched joint initiatives to fast-track climate-resilient crops for dryland farmers in Africa and India, making them the closest peer in mandate, structure, and donor base.
• World Vegetable Center: International agricultural research center managing one of the world's largest vegetable germplasm collections. World Vegetable Center and ICRISAT collaborate within the CGIAR Germplasm Health Units network for safe germplasm exchange.
• Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT: CGIAR alliance combining biodiversity and tropical agriculture research. Shares CGIAR governance, donor base, and germplasm-exchange mechanisms with ICRISAT, with overlapping smallholder farmer focus in the tropics.
• IRRI (International Rice Research Institute): CGIAR center focused on rice research. ICRISAT and IRRI have a documented joint vision to demonstrate integrated seed systems for dryland farming in South Asia, and they co-implement the Odisha Drought Mitigation Programme.
• ICARDA (International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas): CGIAR center focused on non-tropical dry areas. ICARDA's mandate (barley, lentil, faba bean, dryland wheat) overlaps directly with ICRISAT's dryland-crop and smallholder-farmer mission and shares donor pools and CGIAR governance.
• IITA (International Institute of Tropical Agriculture): CGIAR center focused on tropical agriculture in Africa. ICRISAT and IITA have strengthened cooperation for the Sahel Region, sharing mandate crops (e.g., cowpea/legumes, cereals) and overlapping African country offices.
• IFPRI (International Food Policy Research Institute): CGIAR policy research institute. ICRISAT and IFPRI jointly launched the CGIAR India Policy Innovation Hub, and IFPRI provides socioeconomic and policy research that complements ICRISAT's breeding and farming-systems work.

Emerging players

• IFDC (International Fertilizer Development Center): International non-profit focused on soil fertility and fertilizer technology. IFDC overlaps with ICRISAT's soil health and agronomy work (e.g., precision nutrient application) but is a smaller, more focused player.
• African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF): Africa-focused non-profit that facilitates access to agricultural technologies for smallholder farmers. AATF shares ICRISAT's smallholder farmer and African mandate but specializes in technology access and partnerships rather than upstream breeding.

Broad incumbents

• FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations): UN specialized agency leading international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO partners with ICRISAT on seed enterprises and country programs (e.g., Saudi REEF Program) and operates at much broader scale across all crops and geographies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ICRISAT
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/icrisatco
• Facebookfacebook.com/ICRISAT
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/icrisat

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics