India's agri-search going global: ICAR's expanding footprints

ICAR is expanding agricultural research cooperation through bilateral, regional and multilateral partnerships. The outreach aims to share technologies, strengthen scientific capacity and build resilient food systems. ICAR advances AI, livestock vaccines and plans Global South research platform.New Delhi,Oct 22, 2026 14:07 ISTFrom strengthening India's agricultural foundations to shaping global research cooperation, ICAR is helping advance scientific solutions for a food-secure and resilient world.Hunger remains a global challenge, while climate change, emerging pests, water scarcity and declining natural resources threaten agricultural productivity across borders. Addressing these interconnected challenges requires scientific cooperation, shared knowledge and innovative technologies.The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), a cornerstone of India's agricultural transformation, is increasingly extending its scientific expertise beyond national boundaries to contribute to global food and nutritional security.Over five decades, ICAR has signed more than 100 agreements with countries, international research institutions and multilateral organisations. Of these, 72 are currently active, spanning 37 countries across all inhabited continents. The portfolio includes 49 country-level agreements, 12 partnerships with international agricultural research centres and 11 multilateral or multi-country collaborations.Notably, 31 active agreements were established in the last decade, reflecting the expanding international relevance of India's agricultural research capabilities. India's Green Revolution, supported by international scientific collaboration, demonstrated how research, adaptation and technology dissemination can transform agricultural production.ICAR's experience in crop improvement, resource management and technology validation now offers valuable insights to countries confronting similar challenges. India's role in global agricultural science is evolving from adapting international innovations to contributing home-grown technologies, expertise and research solutions.ICAR's international engagement extends beyond bilateral agreements to multilateral and regional platforms. Through the BRICS Agricultural Research Platform (BRICS-ARP), India is facilitating scientific exchange, collaborative research and technology sharing among participating countries.The proposed BRICS Network of Centres of Excellence on Agroecology and Regenerative Agriculture further offers opportunities to advance climate-resilient and sustainable agricultural practices through joint research and capacity building.ASEAN–India agricultural cooperation is another important avenue for strengthening regional research linkages. Collaboration in crop improvement, horticulture, agricultural mechanisation, livestock and sustainable resource management can facilitate the exchange of technologies and expertise suited to diverse farming systems.Such partnerships help strengthen institutional capacities while addressing common agricultural development priorities. India's engagement through the G20 and BIMSTEC also highlights the importance of coordinated approaches to transboundary crop pests, agricultural diseases and shared risks to food production.India's leadership in promoting millets as nutritious and climate-resilient crops is creating new opportunities for global agricultural cooperation. The Millets and Other Ancient Grains International Research Initiative (MAHARISHI), with its Secretariat at ICAR–Indian Institute of Millets Research, Hyderabad, provides a platform for international research collaboration and knowledge exchange.Complementing this initiative, the Global Centre of Excellence on Millets (Shree Anna) at ICAR-IIMR promotes millet research, production technologies, processing, value addition and capacity building. Together, these initiatives can support countries seeking to diversify food systems, improve nutrition and strengthen climate resilience through millets and other ancient grains.ICAR's contributions also extend to emerging technologies and livestock health. International research collaborations in artificial intelligence offer opportunities to advance data-driven agriculture, intelligent crop monitoring and efficient resource management. Equally significant is ICAR's work in animal vaccines and veterinary science.Vaccines and technologies developed by ICAR institutions for diseases such as Foot-and-Mouth Disease and Peste des Petits Ruminants demonstrate India's scientific capabilities in protecting livestock health. Through appropriate international partnerships, technology exchange and regulatory pathways, these innovations can contribute to disease prevention, livestock productivity and rural livelihoods in other countries.Looking ahead, the proposed Global South research platform, envisaged to connect research organisations from around 50 countries, could create a more integrated framework for agricultural knowledge-sharing, technology exchange and collaborative innovation. Building on ICAR's institutional partnerships, it offers opportunities to strengthen research capacity and improve access to relevant agricultural technologies.Ultimately, ICAR's global contribution must be measured not simply by agreements signed, but by scientific capacities strengthened, technologies shared and agricultural challenges addressed through collaboration. India's diverse agro-climatic conditions provide valuable experience, while international partnerships enrich its own research ecosystem.As the world works towards food and nutritional security for a growing population, ICAR's commitment to feeding India is increasingly complemented by a broader mission with advancing agricultural science, sharing innovation and helping build resilient food systems that nourish the world.(The article is authored by M L Jat, Secretary DARE & Director General, ICAR and Naveen P Singh, Asst Director General (International Relations), ICAR. Views expressed in the article are personal and do not represent the views of the organisation.)- Ends