Introduction

• India’s remarkable progress in agriculture owes much to international research bodies like the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).
• With the United States scaling back funding under a more transactional foreign policy, the spotlight is now on India to take on a greater financial and leadership role in supporting these organizations.
• This support is not merely financial — it signals India''s strategic commitment to global food security, climate-smart agriculture, and soft power diplomacy.

Background

• CIMMYT and IRRI are part of the CGIAR system — a network of international agricultural research centers.
• CIMMYT specializes in maize and wheat breeding.
• IRRI focuses on rice research.
• These institutions were instrumental in India’s Green Revolution (1960s–70s), helping the country transition from a state of food shortage to surplus.
• The adoption of semi-dwarf wheat and rice varieties, driven by innovations from international centers and Indian scientists like M.S. Swaminathan and reformers like C. Subramaniam, led to significant improvements in productivity.

Recent Developments

• Under former U.S. President Donald Trump, USAID ceased its funding to CIMMYT.
• Previously, USAID provided $83 million out of CIMMYT’s total $211 million in grant revenue.
• This reflects a broader trend in U.S. foreign policy that emphasizes domestic priorities over support to multilateral institutions.
• The funding cut jeopardizes global cereal research efforts, particularly in wheat and maize.

Why India Should Step Up Funding

1. Manageable Financial Burden

• India holds over $700 billion in foreign exchange reserves.
• In 2024, India’s contributions were:
• $0.8 million to CIMMYT
• $18.3 million to IRRI
• Even a small increase in funding could produce major returns through improved yields, climate-resilient crops, and food security.
• This is a high-impact, low-cost investment.

2. Boosting India’s Soft Power

• As an emerging leader of the Global South, India’s support reinforces its identity as a development partner and responsible global actor.
• Strengthening institutions like CIMMYT and IRRI aligns with foreign policy goals: promoting South-South cooperation, building developmental diplomacy, and balancing North-South power structures.
• Ensuring food security is also essential for political stability and national sovereignty.

3. Long-Term Agricultural and Climate Strategy

• India’s population is projected to hit 1.7 billion by 2060.
• Increasing food demand amidst constraints like shrinking land, water stress, and climate change poses a serious challenge.
• Solutions lie in breeding crops that are drought-, heat-, and salinity-tolerant — areas in which CIMMYT and IRRI have global leadership.
• Continued engagement with these institutions gives India access to state-of-the-art innovations.

The Rising Role of Maize in India

• Maize is gaining prominence as:
• A feed crop for livestock (indirect human consumption through milk, meat, eggs).
• A biofuel resource — increasingly vital amid India’s push for ethanol blending.
• Demand is expected to surge, necessitating research in high-yielding, pest- and climate-resistant maize varieties.
• CIMMYT’s expertise in maize improvement is key to avoiding import dependency.

Reviving India’s Domestic Agricultural Research System

India’s support must extend beyond global institutes — revitalizing its own research framework is equally critical.

1. Funding Challenges and Institutional Fragmentation

• The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) oversees 100+ institutions, but funding remains thin and scattered, reducing overall effectiveness.

2. Leadership Vacuum

• The Green Revolution era thrived due to visionary leadership and policy direction.
• Today, there is policy hesitation on issues like genetically modified (GM) crops, biotechnology, and digital agriculture, despite strong scientific backing.

3. Overdependence on Subsidies

• Farmers continue to rely heavily on underpriced inputs such as water, electricity, and fertilisers.
• This leads to inefficiencies (e.g., excessive urea use) and unsustainable practices.
• Redirection of resources into agri-R&D, precision farming, and climate-resilient techniques would offer better long-term solutions.

Bridging Research and Practice: Strengthening Extension Services

• Scientific advancements must reach the farm gate — a weak link in India’s agri-chain is extension services.
• Global institutes like CIMMYT and IRRI follow participatory research models, involving farmers directly in testing and feedback loops.
• India can adopt similar practices by:
• Strengthening Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs)
• Encouraging farmer-led trials
• Fostering public-private collaborations in seed and technology dissemination

Strategic Advantages of Supporting CIMMYT and IRRI

• Access to Global Germplasm: Indian scientists gain access to thousands of improved crop lines adapted to diverse agro-climatic conditions.
• Global Collaboration Networks: Opportunities to work on cutting-edge research like CRISPR gene editing, digital phenotyping, and AI-driven agriculture.
• Resilience and Rapid Response: These institutes support global early warning systems and provide strategic responses to pest invasions (e.g., Fall Armyworm) or climate shocks.

Way Forward

India is entering a critical phase in its agricultural journey. Having achieved cereal self-sufficiency, the next step is building sustainable and resilient food systems. This requires:

• A renewed emphasis on science-driven agriculture
• Strategic investment in global research institutions
• A revamped ICAR and modernized national research ecosystem
• Adoption of climate-resilient, precision agriculture practices
• Empowering farmers with technology, tools, and knowledge

Conclusion

Backing CIMMYT and IRRI is more than a financial contribution — it is a strategic affirmation of India''s leadership in the global quest for food security. This support aligns with national interests, advances agricultural innovation, and reflects India’s role as a pillar of sustainable development and global cooperation.