Dr. M. L. Jat has urged agricultural universities to prepare professionals for a changing food system. The DARE Secretary and ICAR Director General identified climate change, declining natural resources, biodiversity loss and the need for healthier food as priorities for higher education.
Speaking virtually at a roundtable alongside the 2026 Norman E Borlaug International Dialogue in Des Moines, United States, he represented the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences as its President. The World Food Prize Foundation programme also included NAAS Secretary Dr. B.S. Dwivedi, Foreign Secretary Dr. Karim Meredia and Western Hemisphere International Chapter Convener Dr. P.V. Varaprasad, whose participation he acknowledged.
He said agricultural teaching and research must respond to the needs of evolving agri-food systems. Partnerships with institutions abroad give India opportunities to exchange scientific advances, learn from other countries and share its own educational experience.
His proposed shift places the entire food system and value chain at the centre of education, rather than concentrating mainly on production. Closer ties between universities and businesses would help graduates meet industry needs while encouraging support for farmers throughout the value chain.
Dr. Jat described policy discussions, research papers and policy briefs as important ways for NAAS to address agricultural development issues. He called for researchers, public officials, universities, industry and other stakeholders to work together on emerging problems.
Connecting agricultural professionals in the Indian diaspora with research and educational institutions at home was another priority. Such networks could bring international experience into teaching and make the exchange of knowledge more effective.
He cited the memorandum of understanding with the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology as an example of wider institutional cooperation. The CAST partnership is expected to support joint research, capacity development and the sharing of knowledge.
Stronger partnerships could advance research, education and agricultural extension, especially in the Global South, he said. He appealed for coordinated efforts to make food systems more resilient and agriculture more sustainable.