Secretary in the Department of Agricultural Research and Education, Dr M L Jat, has called for reimagining agricultural higher education to prepare future professionals to address global challenges. These challenges include climate change, natural resource degradation, biodiversity loss and the growing demand for nutritious and healthy food. He said this while virtually addressing a Roundtable organised on the sidelines of the ‘2026 Norman E Borlaug International Dialogue’ at the World Food Prize Foundation in the United States of America.

 

Delivering his remarks as President of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Dr Jat emphasised the need to transform agricultural education and research to meet the evolving requirements of agri-food systems. He highlighted India’s long-standing partnerships with global institutions, noting that international collaboration enables mutual learning and provides opportunities to share scientific and educational advancements.

 

He stressed the importance of moving beyond production-centric agriculture towards an integrated agri-food systems and value-chain approach. Dr Jat further expressed confidence that stronger international partnerships would contribute to advancing agricultural research, education and extension, with particular relevance for countries of the Global South.