24 July 2026, Kenya: The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) has been named the Best Research Institution at the 2026 Makueni county Agricultural and Trade Fair, a recognition that affirms the institute’s growing role in transforming agriculture and strengthening food systems in Kenya’s drylands.
The award was presented during the four-day exhibition held from 15–18 July at the Makindu Showground, where ICRISAT stood out among more than 2,000 exhibitors drawn from research institutions, government agencies, private agribusinesses, farmer organizations and development partners. The fair attracted over 20,000 stakeholders, including farmers, students, policymakers, cooperatives and agricultural innovators seeking practical solutions to the challenges facing agriculture in arid and semi-arid lands.
For many of the farmers who visited the ICRISAT exhibition, the award came as no surprise.
The institute’s pavilion was a hive of activity as visitors explored demonstration plots showcasing improved varieties of groundnut, pigeonpea, sesame, sorghum, pearl millet, finger millet and other climate-resilient crops such as foxtail millet, proso millet, barnyard millet and teff. Researchers interacted directly with farmers, explaining how quality seed of improved varieties , good agronomic practices (GAPs) and climate-smart technologies can increase productivity while helping communities adapt to increasingly erratic weather patterns.
Beyond displaying crops, ICRISAT demonstrated what science can achieve when it is firmly rooted in the needs of farmers.
“This recognition belongs to the farmers, partners and scientists who continue to believe that agricultural research can transform lives,” said Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Director General of ICRISAT.
“Across Africa’s drylands, climate change is presenting unprecedented challenges to food production. Our responsibility is to develop innovations that are not only scientifically sound but also practical, affordable and scalable. Every improved variety we develop, every technology we disseminate and every partnership we build is aimed at creating resilient food systems, improving nutrition and enhancing the livelihoods of farming communities.” Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Director General of ICRISAT.
The recognition also highlights ICRISAT’s long-standing partnership with the County Government of Makueni, where the institute has worked with farmers, extension officers, local institutions and the private sector to promote drought-tolerant nutritious crops, sustainable farming practices and diversified food systems.
Speaking during the exhibition, Makueni Governor H.E. Mutula Kilonzo commended the institute for its contribution to agricultural transformation in the county.
The recognition at the Makueni Agricultural and Trade Fair is therefore not simply a celebration of research excellence. It is a testament to the power of science, partnerships and innovation to transform agriculture—and ultimately, transform lives.
“ICRISAT has been an invaluable partner in helping Makueni build resilient food systems, through improved crop varieties, farmer training and climate-smart technologies, the institute is empowering our farmers to produce more despite changing climatic conditions. This partnership is strengthening household food security, creating income opportunities and giving our communities renewed confidence that agriculture remains a viable pathway to prosperity.” he said.
The institute’s work is increasingly becoming critical as counties seek solutions to recurring droughts and declining agricultural productivity. Improved varieties of sorghum, pearl millet, finger millet, groundnut and pigeonpea are enabling farmers to harvest reliable yields while diversifying household diets and accessing new market opportunities.
According to Dr. Henry Ojulong, a breeder at ICRISAT, agricultural research should ultimately be measured by the lives it changes rather than the papers it publishes.
“Our mission goes beyond developing improved crop varieties,” he said. “We are working to transform lives by giving farmers access to technologies that increase productivity, withstand climate stress and improve incomes while conserving the environment. When farmers harvest more, earn more and feed their families better, that is the true impact of research.” Said Dr Ojulong.
Throughout the exhibition, visitors engaged with scientists on topics ranging from improved crop varieties and soil health to integrated crop management, value addition, marketing and climate adaptation. Students and young people also had an opportunity to learn about careers in agricultural research and the role of science in addressing food insecurity.
The award comes at a time when demand for climate-resilient agricultural technologies sensitive to nutrition continues to grow across Eastern and Southern Africa. With prolonged droughts becoming more frequent, institutions such as ICRISAT are playing an increasingly important role in helping governments and farming communities adapt to a changing climate while safeguarding food and nutrition security.
For ICRISAT, the recognition is more than a trophy, it is an affirmation that research delivers its greatest value when it reaches the farmer’s field.
As the institute continues to work alongside governments, national agricultural research systems, development partners and farming communities, its focus remains clear: translating science into practical solutions that improve productivity, strengthen resilience and create sustainable livelihoods across the drylands of Africa.
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