Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) is an international non-profit organization.
It conducts agricultural research for development across the drylands of Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
Detailed Explanation:
ICRISAT was founded to improve food security and agricultural sustainability in the harsh, drought-prone semi-arid tropics:
- The institute was established in 1972 by a consortium of donors convened by the Ford Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundation.
- Its headquarters are located in Patancheru, near Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
- It is one of the premier research centers belonging to the CGIAR (Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research) global network.
- ICRISAT focuses on developing improved varieties of six mandate crops: chickpea, pigeonpea, groundnut, pearl millet, finger millet, and sorghum.
- The institute's research has led to the development of drought-tolerant, disease-resistant, and high-yielding crop varieties that have significantly improved the livelihoods of dryland farmers worldwide.
Step 2: Final Answer:
ICRISAT was established in the year 19