Science, Solidarity, and Sustainability

At the recently held international conference on Global South and Triangular Cooperation: Emerging Facets, organised by the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) in New Delhi, Dr. M.L. Jat, Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), articulated a compelling vision for inclusive agricultural transformation driven by innovation, collaboration, and mutual learning.

- 

Harnessing Diversity for Global Adaptation

Dr. Jat underlined India's unique positioning as a microcosm of the Global South due to its immense geographic and agro-climatic diversity. “Given India's diversity, our sub-national contexts often mirror conditions found in other countries. In many ways, Indian states or regions can serve as analogues for other developing nations.”

This diversity, he argued, enables India to serve as a testing ground for developing technology adaptation domains—frameworks that can be tailored and transferred to other countries facing similar agricultural challenges. “If we work collectively—especially here in India—we can develop adaptation frameworks and domain-specific solutions that can truly benefit the Global South.”

Millets, Gene Banks, and the Future of Food

India's proactive steps in conservation and nutrition security were highlighted with reference to the newly established National Gene Bank, which, Dr. Jat noted, would benefit both national and international agricultural systems.