Dr Jacqueline d’Arros Hughes serves as the Director General of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in Hyderabad, India.
Trained as a virologist, Dr. Hughes worked in the United Kingdom and Ghana before moving to the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Nigeria, followed by positions at the World Vegetable Center in Taiwan, and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines. As the Deputy Director General-Research at both WorldVeg (2005–2016) and IRRI (2016–2020), she contributed significantly to the leadership of agriculture research and development.
Her extensive experience, spanning 15 years each in both Africa and Asia, provides her with invaluable insights into the realm of international agricultural research. Through her work, and that of her teams, Dr. Hughes has delivered significant impacts across Africa and Asia, enhancing the livelihoods of some of the most economically disadvantaged communities. She has also overseen various programs addressing critical issues such as strategic innovation, sustainable impact, and cross-cutting research support.
The impact of Dr. Hughes’ work in shaping research and development for food and nutrition security extends to multiple crops and their protection, forming the foundation for sustainable intensification and, importantly, improved livelihoods for the rural poor in developing nations. Her commitment to these causes is reflected not only in her extensive publication record but also in her keen interests in plant health, epidemiology, gender equity, nutrition, and the innovative fields of remote sensing and digital agriculture.