The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), a public-funded advanced agricultural research institute, has generated research products that have a significant impact on improving agricultural productivity in the semi-arid tropics in the developing countries of Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. These research products ? improved crop varieties and hybrids, technologies and research tools ? have been designated as International Public Goods (IPGs), and are available without patent protection for the benefit of mankind across the globe.