The National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS) showcased India's agricultural research excellence at the World Food Prize Foundation's 2026 Norman E Borlaug International Dialogue held from October 20-22, 2026, in Des Moines, Iowa, USA. The event theme was "Before Hunger Wins."
NAAS's participation included a dedicated exhibition booth displaying prominent publications of NAAS and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), participation of seven Indian students in the Global Youth Institute program, a special roundtable on Agricultural Higher Education, and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between NAAS and the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST), USA.
Seven high school students from different parts of India, selected through the NAAS-YUVA selection drive, participated in the Global Youth Institute program where they presented research papers addressing critical food-security challenges. Ms. Ameena Nazreen A S won the GYI Award which included a US$500 cash prize, bringing recognition to NAAS and India on this global platform.
A special roundtable on "Agricultural Higher Education" brought the Indian agricultural diaspora into discussion on transforming agricultural education through global partnerships. Dr. M.L. Jat, President of NAAS, Secretary of Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), and Director General of ICAR, addressed the meeting virtually, calling for reimagining agricultural higher education to prepare future professionals to address global challenges including climate change, natural resource degradation, biodiversity loss, and growing demand for nutritious food.
Dr. Jat emphasized the need to move beyond production-centric agriculture towards an integrated agri-food systems and value-chain approach, highlighting the importance of stronger academia-industry collaboration, international knowledge exchange, and engagement with the Indian agricultural diaspora. The MoU signed between NAAS and CAST is aimed at opening new avenues for cooperation in agricultural research, capacity development, and knowledge exchange, expected to strengthen institutional linkages and create opportunities for international scientific collaboration.