Kansas State University has received a multimillion-dollar grant from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to manage the Climate Resilient Sustainable Intensification Innovation Lab (CRSIIL). This initiative will support agricultural research across eight countries, focusing on enhancing farming resilience to climate change, improving productivity, and reducing environmental impact. The project, part of USAID’s Feed the Future program, will provide up to $50 million in funding over the next five years.

The lab, directed by K-State’s Vara Prasad, builds on previous work by the university’s Sustainable Intensification Innovation Lab (SIIL), which had a focus on sustainable farming practices. The new project will involve research on climate adaptation, soil health, resource efficiency, and ecological solutions. It will also form a Digital and Decision Agriculture consortium to develop tools for farmers in the U.S. and partner countries, aiming to increase efficiency and profitability.

K-State will collaborate with institutions in Cambodia, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Senegal, Ghana, Guatemala, and Honduras to test and apply new technologies. The project reflects K-State’s commitment to advancing agricultural research and building resilience in farming practices, with the potential to impact both global food systems and Kansas’ agricultural industry.