Dr. Jacqueline Hughes to Lead as Secretary General of the World Agriculture Forum

In a significant development for global agriculture, Dr. Jacqueline d’Arros Hughes, the outgoing Director General of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), has been appointed as the new Secretary General of the World Agriculture Forum (WAF). Dr. Hughes will assume her new role in mid-November 2024, bringing over 30 years of experience in agricultural research and development to this pivotal position.

Dr. Hughes, known for her groundbreaking contributions to sustainable agriculture, will steer the Forum towards its mission of addressing food insecurity and promoting rural development in vulnerable regions. Her career, which began with postdoctoral work in the UK and has included leadership roles in various prestigious agricultural institutes across Africa and Asia, positions her uniquely to tackle the challenges facing global agriculture today.

A distinguished plant virologist, Dr. Hughes is committed to integrating modern technologies into agricultural practices. Her interests encompass remote sensing, digitalisation, and gender equity. She advocates for the ethical use of intellectual property to enhance agricultural outcomes and emphasizes the importance of working both locally and globally to create meaningful impacts.

During her tenure at ICRISAT, Dr. Hughes led the Institute through the challenges posed by the global pandemic, achieving notable milestones such as receiving the Africa Food Prize in 2021 and welcoming Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at ICRISAT's 50th Anniversary in 2022. In 2023, she further enhanced ICRISAT’s reputation in dryland agriculture by co-chairing the International Steering Committee for the United Nations’ International Year of Millets and participating in G20 agriculture meetings in New Delhi.

Rudy Rabbinge, Chairman of the World Agriculture Forum, expressed confidence in Dr. Hughes’ ability to drive the Forum’s mission forward. “Her wealth of experience, commitment to agricultural innovation, and vision for sustainable intensification will strengthen WAF’s position as a leader in addressing food and nutrition security worldwide,” he stated.

As Secretary General, Dr. Hughes will focus on strengthening alliances and advancing innovative solutions in agriculture, ensuring that the World Agriculture Forum remains responsive to the evolving needs of the global agricultural sector.

The World Agriculture Forum is a global platform uniting governments, farmers, agribusinesses, and development institutions to facilitate sustainable agricultural development through policy advocacy and technology-driven solutions. With a commitment to collaboration and public-private partnerships, WAF aims to transform agricultural systems and support smallholder farmers towards a resilient, food-secure future.