Global Research-for-development Support Ventures (GRSV) is a not-for-profit organization. It was founded in 2015 by a team of highly experienced agricultural research-for-development (R4D) experts of international repute. Its main aim is to serve the needs of agricultural research and development institutions and individuals.

 

Mission

GRSV’s Mission is “Service to Science and Society.” GRSV intends to address strategic issues related to R4D in several interconnected areas, which include the following:

  • Agricultural Education,
  • Agricultural Research,
  • Agricultural Technology and Technology Transfer,
  • Agriculture Policy,
  • Biodiversity and Agrobiodiversity,
  • Climate Change,
  • Crop Diversification,
  • Ecological Sustainability,
  • Environmental Health,
  • Innovations in Agriculture, and
  • Profitable Agriculture.

The overall goal is to improve the effectiveness of delivery of results from research.

Specific Aims

GRSV aims to help institutions in conducting better research and in mainstreaming research results.

It plans to do so by

  • Working as an independent “Think Tank”;
  • Developing and disseminating commentaries and policy briefs on contemporary issues that affect national and global food and nutrition security;
  • Promoting sustainable rural economic growth;
  • Serving as a knowledge hub on agricultural R4D;
  • Supporting the development of digital and/or smart agriculture;
  • Facilitating the development of innovative and strategic agricultural R4D concepts; and
  • Working with scientists, development agencies, and donor organizations on project design, monitoring, mid- to end-of-project evaluations, and impact assessment.

 

In honour of Dr. Mannava V.K. Sivakumar

It is with deep regret that we announce the sad demise of Dr MVK Sivakumar, one of the GRSV International Experts.

He served as Acting Chief and then as Chief, Agricultural Meteorology Division, World Meteorological Organization (WMO) during 1998-2008; and he was Director, Climate Prediction and Adaptation Branch, WMO, Geneva, Switzerland, 2008-12. After that he was Senior Consultant, United States Agency for International Development (USAID); and Consultant, World Bank, 2013 to 2024.

Born in Guntur, India on 30 August 1950, he got his BSc(Ag) from Agricultural College, Bapatla in 1970; MSc(Ag) from Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi in 1972; and PhD from Iowa State University, Ames, USA in 1977.

He worked as Agroclimatologist at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru, India and ICRISAT, Niger during 1977-96; and Director, Soils & Agroclimatology Division, ICRISAT 1993-96;

He received many Awards and Honours, including Gamma Sigma Delta of USA, 1976; INSA Young Scientist Award and the Science Academy Medal, 1983; FAI Award 1985; Member, Baker Endowment Council, Iowa State University, USA, 2001-04; International Service in Agronomy Award, 2007; Telugu Association of North America (TANA) Award, 2009; Bharat Jyoti Award, 2011; Editor-in-Chief, Weather and Climate Extremes Journal, Elsevier, 2013 to 2024.

He was Fellow of American Society of Agronomy; Fellow of National Academy of Agricultural Sciences; Honorary Fellow, Indian Meteorological Society; Corresponding Member of the Royal Academy of Overseas Sciences of Belgium; Corresponding Academician of the Academy of Georgofili of Italy; and National Environmental Science Academy, India.

He, along with other alumni, initiated the ICRISAT Alumni Association (IAA) in 2012, and was its President until 2024. IAA enables the ICRISAT alumni to get together regularly to renew memories and reminisce as colleagues at ICRISAT.

Shiv (as he was fondly called by his friends) was an excellent human being and a good friend for many of us who worked at various ICRISAT locations. He will be fondly remembered by all who came in contact with him.

Dr Sivakumar will be missed in the field of Agro-meteorology for years to come because of his immense contributions in that field.