World Agriculture Forum - Innovating for Sustainable Future

Director General of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad. A trained virologist, she has held leadership roles at IITA in Nigeria, the World Vegetable Center in Taiwan, and IRRI in the Philippines. With over 15 years of experience across Africa and Asia, Dr. Hughes has led impactful agricultural research programs. Her work focuses on innovation and sustainable development, improving livelihoods in economically disadvantaged communities in these regions.

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.