The Crop Trust Welcomes Dr. Sarada Krishnan as Director of Programs
21 March 2022
The Global Crop Diversity Trust is excited to announce that, after a thorough and competitive recruitment process, Dr. Sarada Krishnan has been selected for the position of Director of Programs.
Dr. Krishnan joins the Crop Trust at a critical time in its evolution, as it responds to the urgent challenges of the climate crisis and rapid biodiversity loss. Overseeing the planning, development and implementation of the technical program of the Crop Trust, she will lead an expert team of scientists working with many dedicated partners all around the world to conserve crop diversity and use it to ensure global food and nutrition security.
"Dr. Krishnan brings an impressive academic track record in plant genetic resource conservation and is a recognized leader in the field. I am delighted she has decided to join our growing team in this key role at this pivotal moment for the Crop Trust,’’ said Stefan Schmitz, Executive Director of the Crop Trust.
Dr. Krishnan combines academic and personal interests in agriculture, and has a particular passion for coffee. Her doctoral dissertation focused on the conservation genetics of wild coffee in Madagascar, and she owns and operates coffee farms herself.
A highly effective communicator with a proven record in partnership building, fundraising and management, Dr. Krishnan has extensive experience in the field of horticulture and ex situ conservation coupled with a firm understanding of the role crop diversity collections can play for sustainable development.
"Conserving crop diversity is essential for our future food security, and I am thrilled to join the Crop Trust in this role and work with the Crop Trust team and partners to implement impactful programs," said Dr. Krishnan.
Among her many achievements, Dr. Krishnan played a key role in the development of the roadmap for the conservation of US Crop Wild Relatives, and serves on USDA’s National Genetic Resources Advisory Council. She also chairs the USDA Coffee and Cacao Crop Germplasm Committee, and as Executive Director of the International Women’s Coffee Alliance, has been advancing gender equality in the coffee industry and advocating for smallholder farmers in finding solutions to end hunger and poverty.
Dr. Krishnan will join the Crop Trust team in Bonn on 1 July, coming from the Denver Botanic Gardens, where she currently holds the position of Director of Horticulture.
Category: Coffee