KARACHI, November 03 2024: Dr Jacqueline d’Arros Hughes, the outgoing Director General of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), is set to take the helm as Secretary General of the World Agriculture Forum (WAF) in mid-November 2024. With an extensive career spanning over 30 years in agricultural research for development, Dr Hughes is poised to lead the Forum towards its mission of advancing sustainable agricultural practices globally.
Dr. Hughes has gained recognition for her pivotal role in addressing urgent global challenges such as food insecurity and sustainable agriculture, particularly in vulnerable regions of the world. Trained in the United Kingdom, she earned her PhD from Reading University and has a rich background that includes postdoctoral work and collaboration with national partners in Ghana. Her international experience has seen her assume leadership roles in prestigious agricultural institutes across Africa and Asia, providing her with invaluable insights into the unique challenges these regions face.
As a distinguished plant virologist, Dr Hughes has shown a keen interest in integrating modern technologies into agriculture, particularly through remote sensing and digitalisation. She is also a strong advocate for gender equity in agricultural development. Her commitment to ethical practices in plant quarantine and intellectual property rights underscores her dedication to enhancing agricultural outcomes for communities around the world. Dr. Hughes embodies the philosophy of working locally for global impact, while also recognizing the importance of global strategies to address local issues.
During her tenure at ICRISAT, Dr. Hughes successfully navigated the challenges posed by the global pandemic, achieving significant milestones that reinforced the Institute’s leadership in dryland agriculture. Under her stewardship, ICRISAT was awarded the prestigious Africa Food Prize in 2021 and celebrated its 50th Anniversary with a visit from India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, in 2022. In 2023, she further solidified ICRISAT’s role in global agricultural discourse by co-chairing the International Steering Committee for the United Nations’ International Year of Millets and participating in the agriculture meetings of the G20 Summit in New Delhi.
Rudy Rabbinge, Chairman of the World Agriculture Forum, praised Dr Hughes’s appointment, stating, “Dr Hughes brings to the World Agriculture Forum a wealth of experience and a commitment to agricultural innovation that is critical to achieving our mission. Her proven ability to deliver impactful results and her deep understanding of the international agricultural landscape will strengthen WAF’s position as a leader in addressing food and nutrition security worldwide.”
In her new role as Secretary General, Dr. Hughes will focus on building alliances and promoting innovative solutions in agriculture. She aims to ensure that WAF is well-equipped to address the evolving needs of the sector globally. Her appointment reflects WAF’s commitment to engaging visionary leaders who can drive transformative change in agricultural practices.
About the World Agriculture Forum (WAF)
The World Agriculture Forum serves as a global platform uniting diverse stakeholders—governments, farmers, agribusinesses, experts, and development institutions—to promote sustainable agricultural development. Through policy advocacy, trade facilitation, and technology-driven solutions, WAF aims to bridge implementation gaps and transform food systems. With a focus on supporting smallholder farmers and enhancing value chains, the Forum is dedicated to building a resilient and food-secure future through collaboration, innovation, and public-private partnerships.
As Dr. Hughes steps into this pivotal role, her leadership is expected to catalyze significant advancements in the agricultural sector, reinforcing WAF’s mission to ensure food security and sustainable development worldwide.
