MAHARISHI launches millet research training in India for African scientists
African scientists are invited to India for a three-month training program focused on millets and other ancient grains, aiming to enhance climate resilience and food security.
The MAHARISHI initiative (Millets And Other Ancient Grains International Research Initiative) has launched a three-month, grant-funded training program in India for scientists from across the African continent. The program focuses on millets and other ancient grains, which are gaining importance due to climate change impacts such as drought and variable rainfall in Africa.
The training will take place at the ICAR–IIMR's (Indian Council of Agricultural Research – Indian Institute of Millets Research) Global Centre of Excellence on Millets in Hyderabad, India. Applications are open to early to mid-career researchers. Participants will gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge research and technologies in millet science, including genomics-assisted breeding, high-throughput genotyping and phenotyping, accelerated breeding, and the development of climate-resilient and biofortified varieties.
The program will also cover the entire value chain of millets and ancient grains, encompassing agronomy, seed systems, post-harvest management, processing, nutrition, food security, entrepreneurship, value addition, and market development. A key objective is to foster scientific exchange and South-South cooperation, connecting researchers and institutions working towards more resilient and sustainable food systems in Africa and the Global South.
Dr. Mangi Lal Jat, Secretary of DARE and Director General of ICAR, highlighted the initiative's significance, stating that the future of food security in arid regions depends on effectively linking science, people, and institutions across borders. The MAHARISHI program facilitates the sharing of India's extensive expertise in millets, multiplying its value and impact. He encouraged eligible scientists to seize the opportunity and join a growing global community advancing millet and ancient grain science.