Key facts
- India is hosting a three-month advanced training program on millets and ancient grains for African researchers.
- The MAHARISHI initiative is funded by international grants and takes place at the Global Centre of Excellence on Millets in India.
- The program runs from December 1, 2026, to February 28, 2027, targeting early to mid-career researchers.
- Training topics include genomic-guided breeding, high-throughput genotyping and phenotyping, and biofortification.
- The initiative aims to enhance knowledge of climate-resilient crops for food security and nutritional resilience in Africa.
- Applications are open until October 10, 2026, for eligible candidates with a PhD in life sciences and under 45 years old.
The MAHARISHI initiative has launched a funded, three-month advanced training program on millets and other ancient grains in India, aimed at researchers from various African nations. The program, scheduled from December 1, 2026, to February 28, 2027, seeks to bolster understanding and skills in climate-resilient agriculture, crucial for food security and nutritional resilience in Africa, which faces intensifying impacts from climate change.
The training, held at the Global Centre of Excellence on Millets under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research - Indian Institute of Millets Research, is designed for early to mid-career researchers. It will cover advanced techniques such as genomic-guided breeding, high-throughput genotyping and phenotyping, and biofortification. Participants will also learn about the entire millet value chain, including agronomy, seed systems, post-harvest management, processing, nutrition, food security, and entrepreneurship.
Dr. Mangi Lal Jat, Secretary of India's Department of Agricultural Research and Education, highlighted the importance of cross-border scientific partnerships for food security in arid regions, emphasizing India's expertise in millet research. Alice Ruhweza, President of AGRA, commended the initiative for strengthening South-South cooperation and investing in African agricultural leadership.
Eligible candidates with a PhD in a relevant life sciences area, under 45 years old, are invited to apply via maharishi.res.in by October 10, 2026. Priority will be given to those who can disseminate the acquired knowledge within their home institutions and countries.