The Philippines’ The House of Representative has commended ICRISAT Director General Dr William D Dar for his exemplary public service and in appreciation of his achievements as a recipient of Agriculture Leadership Award during the 7th International Leadership Summit 2014 in New Delhi.

“On behalf of my family and ICRISAT, I humbly acknowledge the commendation of the members of the House of Representatives led by Speaker Belmonte and Deputy Speaker Padilla,” said Dr Dar, who concludes an unprecedented 15-year term on 31 December 2014, as Director General of ICRISAT.

Early this month, he also received from President Aquino a Pamana ng Pilipino Award, along with 32 other outstanding Filipinos oversea.

To date, Dar is the only Filipino who has served as director general of a global agricultural research institute. He leaves behind a legacy benefitting millions of farmers in India, Africa, and other dryland countries in the world, including the Philippines.

He has transformed ICRISAT into a leading agricultural research institute in terms of innovative research programs, impact on farmers, financial stability, quadrupling the income and investments poured into ICRISAT since 2000, from US$21 million to US$85 million in 2014.