The DialogueNEXT conference, a high-level global event, was held at the ICAR Convention Centre, Pusa Campus, New Delhi, on 8–9 September 2025. The two-day summit aimed to accelerate the adoption of agricultural innovations and deliver them directly to farmers to secure the future of global food systems.
Focus on Smallholder Farmers
Addressing the gathering, Shri Mangi Lal Jat, Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research & Education and Director General of ICAR, highlighted that emerging global megatrends are posing complex challenges to agri-food systems. He stressed the need for systemic solutions focused on smallholder farmers and their rapid implementation.
“Expanding investment in cutting-edge science, innovation, discovery, and delivery partnerships is essential,” he said, adding that India’s rapidly advancing agricultural revolution positions the country as a potential ‘Smallholder Agriculture Innovation Hub’ for the Global South.
Global Partnerships and India’s Leadership
This year’s DialogueNEXT was centered on the theme “Take it to the Farmer.” Organized by the World Food Prize Foundation in collaboration with CIMMYT, Borlaug Institute for South Asia (BISA), and ICAR, the event underscored the importance of ensuring that agricultural innovations directly reach farmers—especially in the Global South.
The timing of the event held special significance, coinciding with World Agriculture Day and reflecting India’s strong legacy in agricultural innovation. Indian winners of the prestigious World Food Prize were honored during the conference, further highlighting India’s leadership in global food systems.
Nicole Prenger, Senior Director of the World Food Prize Foundation, noted, “Hosting DialogueNEXT in India holds immense importance against the historical backdrop of Dr. Norman Borlaug’s introduction of semi-dwarf wheat varieties 60 years ago, which doubled production and averted famine. The goal of DialogueNEXT is to inspire similar ‘moonshot’ initiatives to sustainably feed the world’s growing population in the coming decades.”
Showcasing Indian Innovations Globally
Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Prime Minister of India and Board Member of CIMMYT, along with Bram Govaerts, Director General of CIMMYT and BISA, emphasized that India’s agricultural innovations hold the potential to drive transformative global change in productivity, sustainability, and accessibility. The conference is expected to boost international collaboration to scale these efforts, not only across South Asia but also worldwide.
Strong International Participation
The summit witnessed participation from senior government officials, scientists, and agricultural leaders from Asia, Europe, and the Americas, including:
- Thinley Namgyel, Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture & Livestock, Government of Bhutan
- Govinda Prasad Sharma, Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture & Livestock Development, Government of Nepal
- Máximo Torero Cullen, Chief Economist, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
- A high-level delegation from Iowa, USA, led by Governor Kim Reynolds, Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig, and Iowa Farm Bureau Federation President Brent Johnson
Shaping the Future of Global Food Security
By placing farmers at the center of discussions, DialogueNEXT has emerged as a vital platform to address the global food security crisis. The conference not only showcased India’s agricultural innovation journey on a global stage but also laid the groundwork for building sustainable and inclusive food systems for the decades ahead.
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