Xi Cao appointed head of ADB-CGIAR Clearing House Facility To Accelerate Agri-innovation And Investment

30 October 2025, Philippines: The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) has announced the appointment of Ms. Xi Cao as the new Head of the Clearing House Facility on Scaling of Agricultural Innovations for Development. In this role, she will lead efforts to design, implement, and scale transformative agricultural innovations that improve livelihoods, enhance food security, and foster climate-resilient rural development across Asia and beyond.

The Clearing House Facility, established under the ADB–CGIAR partnership and facilitated by IRRI, serves as a central mechanism for identifying, refining, and packaging scalable agricultural innovations. By connecting CGIAR research outputs with international financial institutions (IFIs), investors, and national stakeholders, the Facility aims to accelerate the adoption of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) and other high-impact technologies that support sustainable growth and rural prosperity.

Ms. Cao brings to IRRI more than 13 years of experience in agricultural investment, policy analysis, and international development, with a strong record of leadership in multilateral organizations, including the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

Prior to joining IRRI, she served as Technical Manager of the UNEP-led and Global Environment Facility (GEF)-funded Financing Agrochemical Reduction and Management (FARM) Project, a $341 million global initiative advancing sustainable agrochemical use and climate-smart financing across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. In this capacity, she coordinated international partnerships with UNDP, UNIDO, ADB, and industry associations such as International Biocontrol Manufacturers Association, translating global policy frameworks into country-level actions for environmental and agricultural impact.

Earlier, as Regional Innovative Finance Specialist at the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok, Ms. Cao spearheaded the Hand-in-Hand Investment Initiative, supporting national investment programs in countries such as Laos, Cambodia, Bangladesh, and the Pacific Islands. She also led the development and implementation of FAO’s Regional South–South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) Strategy and Action Plan, driving innovative financing partnerships across the Global South and strengthening collaboration with China’s Global Development Initiative.

Her experience at IFAD as Policy and Programme Specialist also strengthened her expertise in agricultural finance and program management. There, she supported a portfolio exceeding US$1.14 billion across Asia and the pacific region, helped establish the China–IFAD SSTC Facility, and led the design of the China–Pakistan Agricultural Value Chain Project, promoting cross-border cooperation and innovative agri-financing models.

A PhD candidate in Agricultural Economics at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Ms. Cao’s research focuses on behavioral economics and sustainable food consumption, complementing her practical experience in scaling evidence-based agricultural innovations.

In her new role, Ms. Cao will oversee the development of a global Clearing House innovation database, enhance collaboration between CGIAR centers, and IFIs, and guide the creation of country-level investment strategies for scaling CSA technologies. Her leadership will be crucial in transforming scientific discoveries into investment-ready opportunities that deliver measurable benefits for farmers and communities.

With Ms. Cao’s appointment, IRRI and CGIAR strengthen their global role as a convener of science, investment, and policy for sustainable agricultural transformation, bridging the gap between research and real-world impact. She officially joins IRRI beginning 3 November 2025.

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