Manzoor Hussain Dar

Kashmiri 🍁 . Love for all. Humanity first! Global Head- Seed Systems @icrisat

[ICRISAT @ICRISAT]

ICRISAT hosted a hands-on training program on “Empowering Women #SHGs and #FPOs in Dryland Regions through Advanced Seed Production and Management Practices” from 16 to 18 April 2026. The training brought together 13 farmers from Self-Help Groups and Farmer Producer Organisations across 8 districts of Odisha.

The inaugural session featured Dr Stanford Blade (@DrStanfordBlade), DDG-R&I alongside Dr Raman Babu, GRP Director Accelerated Crop Improvement, Dr Manzoor Hussain Dar (@mhdarson), Global Head Seed Systems, Dr Sobhan Sajja, Senior Scientist and Mr Chakradhara Panda, ICRISAT who shared insightful discussions on sustainable agriculture and seed systems.

Participants gained practical, field-based experience in seed production, including seed treatment, maintaining seed purity, and key practices such as rogueing and isolation distance, along with demonstrations on weed, pest, and disease management to tackle real-world seed production challenges.

This initiative marks a significant advancement, enhancing grassroots capacity and empowering farmers with the skills for quality seed production.

[Manzoor Hussain Dar @mhdarson]

@pathan_sumaya Hindu, muslim, christian whatever her faith may be, we should condemn such treatment for a working woman and call for a strict action against the one mistreating her and the other filming. @CMODelhi

[Manzoor Hussain Dar @mhdarson]

@doc_hormone @ASA2018 @grok Good Alhamdulillah

[Manzoor Hussain Dar @mhdarson]

@doc_hormone @ASA2018 @grok 😂 how are u

[ICRISAT @ICRISAT]

#IWD2026 celebrations with women farmers in Odisha, India

International Women’s Day was celebrated across project villages in the districts of Nuapada, Balangir and Kalahandi, recognizing the vital role women play in agriculture and rural livelihoods.

The events, facilitated by ICRISAT team in collaboration with Loksebak, Youth for Action and Rural Development (YAR), and the Centre for Youth and Social Development (CYSD), brought together around 350 farmers for a series of engaging and thought-provoking activities.

The celebrations included a street play highlighting the importance of women’s contributions to agriculture, felicitation of progressive women farmers, an exhibition showcasing quality seeds, and cultural performances, creating a vibrant platform to acknowledge and celebrate women’s leadership and contributions in farming communities.

@mhdarson @CGIAR @CGIARgender @CGIARbreeding

[ICRISAT @ICRISAT]

ICRISAT, in partnership with Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (@skuast_kashmir), conducted a five-day International Training Program on saffron cultivation and best practices in Dec 2025 at Jammu & Kashmir, with support from the FAO under the Indo–Iran Saffron Initiative.

Dr Stanford Blade (@DrStanfordBlade), Deputy Director General, Research & Innovation, ICRISAT, and Dr Manzoor Hussain Dar (@mhdarson), Global Head, Seed Systems, ICRISAT, joined the inaugural program and emphasized the collaborative research, capacity development, and seed management practices to enhance productivity and traceability.

As part of the programme, participants engaged in experiential training at the Advanced Research Station for Saffron and Seed Spices (ARSS&TSS) and visited the India International Kashmir Saffron Trading Centre (IIKSTC), strengthening knowledge exchange and innovation.

[Manzoor Hussain Dar @mhdarson]

@DrSyedSehrish Happy New Year! Stay blessed.

[Manzoor Hussain Dar @mhdarson]

It was honour hosting you at @ICRISAT @reachlastmile. Looking forward to working together!

[ICRISAT @ICRISAT]

We recently welcomed Meghalaya’s Development Commissioner & Principal Secretary, Mr Sampath Kumar IAS, to ICRISAT Headquarters.

Mr Kumar held discussions with ICRISAT leadership, including Director General Dr Himanshu Pathak and DDG–Research & Innovation Dr Stanford Blade, and interacted with research teams to explore avenues for collaboration. He toured the ICRISAT Genebank and other facilities, exploring technological solutions with strong potential to benefit Meghalaya’s agro-ecological context.

[Manzoor Hussain Dar @mhdarson]

@handukbasaaah He is making sure his boat remains under his control so that he can jump back

[Manzoor Hussain Dar @mhdarson]

Thank you @WorldFoodPrize . This inspires us to continue working with passion and build enthusiastic teams for the mission.

[KTR @KTRBRS]

Any fans of Shayari here?

Shared a couplet at the GCC Summit today :)

तारीफ की चाहत तो नाकाम लोगों की फितरत होती है..

काबिल लोगों के तो दुश्मन भी कायल होते हैं

वो पत्ते नहीं हैं हम जो शाखों से टूटकर अलग हो जाएंगे..

आँधी से कहो अपनी औकात में रहे

[Manzoor Hussain Dar @mhdarson]

Thank you Dr. Khalid Mohiuldin Mir and Dr. @shahshowkat07, ICU staff, Cath Lab incharge and others at @ Khyber Medical Institute in Srinagar ( J&K) for treating my mother for a heart related ailment.

[Dr. Stan Blade KSLA 🇨🇦🇮🇳 @DrStanfordBlade]

We had a great event detailing the successes & opportunities of our @ICRISAT engagement with @isdb_group along with our @cgiar partners! #AFSForum2025

[Manzoor Hussain Dar @mhdarson]

It was honour meeting you @OmarAbdullah @CM_JnK alongwith our DDG-R @DrStanfordBlade and discussing the establishment of an international centre for dryland and climate resilient agriculture @ICRISAT

[Office of Chief Minister, J&K @CM_JnK]

Vice-Chancellor SKUAST-Kashmir, accompanied by representatives of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), today called on Chief Minister to discuss important initiatives regarding agriculture in J&K.

[Manzoor Hussain Dar @mhdarson]

Check out my latest article: Are We Nearing a Pigeonpea Green Revolution in India? https://t.co/DydiFUfSo1 via @LinkedIn

[ICRISAT @ICRISAT]

A Season Redefined — Farmers and Scientists Unite to Pioneer Summer Pigeonpea Cultivation

In Bantanur village, nestled in #Karnataka’s Bagalkot district, a modest plot of land became the setting for a milestone in agricultural innovation. In collaboration with the Karnataka State Seed Corporation and Department of Agriculture, ICRISAT hosted a Field Day that brought together farmers, scientists, and government representatives to witness a global first: the world's first heat-tolerant pigeonpea, purpose-bred for summer cultivation.

@PIBAgriculture @KrishakJagat @krishijagran

Read the feature story here: https://t.co/kDN2WI1dwa

[Manzoor Hussain Dar @mhdarson]

SKUAST-K, ICRISAT sign MoU to boost climate-resilient agriculture in J https://t.co/2wsFpZDuru

[Manzoor Hussain Dar @mhdarson]

https://t.co/L7mpOQKF6o

[CRISP @CRISP_India]

#UPDATE

Check out our new policy brief with @ICRISAT:

“Future of Pulses & Legumes Seed Systems in India”

👉 Solutions for inclusive, resilient & farmer-driven systems.

🔗 https://t.co/EWOZggzRHF

@mhdarson @imamritapal @Alagu_Niranjan @nimisha_mittal