International Partnership for Transformation of Agri-Food Systems

Abstract

Indian agriculture in the pre-independence era was in highly fragile state resulting in serious food crisis. Initiatives on international cooperation in 1950s and1960s, brought the first ray of success through international grants, joint research programmes, establishing universities and research institutes and introduction of semi-dwarf high yielding rice and wheat varieties. Subsequently, both bilateral and multilateral cooperation were intensified through Government’s effort of establishing international cooperation Divisions in the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and coordinating with the diplomatic channels of the Ministry of External Affairs. The memorandum of understanding, work plan and research proposal templates are well established instruments today for forging international cooperation. Several international organizations, such as CIMMYT, IRRI, ICRISAT, FAO, UNDP, UN-CAPSA, CABI, NACA, APAARI, APCAEM, BMGF, ISTA and ISHS have active research collaborations with the country. Presently, India’s international cooperation in agriculture research and education has been broadened significantly connecting more than 65 nations belonging all the continents. During last 75 years, the Indian national agriculture research system has emerged as one of the largest agri-research networks in the world and is rightly playing the critical roles ensuring domestic food security. India’s capability in agricultural research and development has made remarkable foot-prints in its neighborhood like Afghanistan, Myanmar and Nepal and now it is ready to serve further in other parts of the world especially in global South. India is implementing National Education Policy 2020 for enhancing quality of education. Internationalization of agriculture education system will help developing a good number of Institutes of global excellence. Reorienting agricultural research and education system with more international cooperations will help India achieving many indicators of Sustainable Development Goals.