At the dawn of the
millennium, the
International Crops Research
Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics
(ICRISAT) witnessed a renaissance.
The institution, riddled with serious
financial and human resource
challenges, rose to the call of the
new leadership. Infused with a
new verve and a burning optimism,
ICRISAT embraced the phrase
Science with a Human Face from
the inaugural speech of its young
and energetic Director General, Dr
William D. Dar, turning it into both
an inspiration and a rallying point
for an institutional transformation.
Dr Dar was appointed Director
General by the Governing Board
in the year 2000. From then on,
proactive and strategic thinking
became the order of the day. It
was the beginning of 15 years of
continued exploration of uncommon
opportunities for inclusive and
sustainable development, while
tackling the twin challenges of global
hunger and poverty, and fulfilling a
dedication to serve poor communities
in the drylands of Asia and sub-Saharan
Africa
