Achieving a major milestone by becoming the only agricultural university from India to be included in the BRICS Network University, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) in Ludhiana focused on the theme of Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security. Making this a big step for the university as well as for India, as BRICS is a group of five major emerging economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. These countries work together on important global issues.
The BRICS International Governing Board approved the expansion of the BRICS Network University in May 2025. Many new areas with many topics were created, including one that was focused on sustainable farming and food security. PAU was selected because of its strong work in agricultural science and its long history of helping farmers and rural communities.
Being chosen for this network means that PAU will now work with top universities and research institutions from BRICS countries. The goal is to mainly find better ways to grow food, protect the environment, and also find a way to support farmers in facing future challenges like climate change, drought, and fluctuating markets. Experts from different countries can share ideas and learn from each other by uniting and working together.
PAU’s Vice‑Chancellor, Dr Satbir Singh Gosal, said this honour places the university in a special group of institutions that will help shape international research, education, and innovation aimed at solving urgent farm and food problems around the world. He explained that the BRICS platform gives PAU a chance to work with scientists and educators from other nations to find new solutions for food security and sustainable farming that can help farmers, students, and researchers.
One main reason PAU was chosen is because of its long record of contributions to agriculture in India. For more than six decades, PAU has played a significant role in improving farming practices, developing improved crop varieties, and also helping farmers increase their incomes. It was one of the main institutions behind the Green Revolution in India, which greatly increased food production in the country in the past.
At the same time, the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) in Delhi was also selected for the BRICS Network University in its category. However, PAU stands out because it is the only state agricultural university included from India. This recognition puts PAU at the centre of international efforts to address food security challenges.
By joining the BRICS Network University, PAU will collaborate with leading institutions from Brazil, Russia, China, and South Africa to develop innovative solutions for feeding growing populations sustainably. The university plans to focus on improving crop yields, reducing post-harvest losses, enhancing nutrition, and promoting climate-resilient farming practices. Research and educational programs within this network will aim to ensure that farmers have access to better seeds, technology, and knowledge, helping them produce more food while conserving natural resources.
These initiatives are expected to strengthen regional and global food security, making nutritious and affordable food available to millions of people now and in the future. Under the BRICS network, similar exchanges could happen on a broader international level.
PAU has also appointed Dr Vishal Bector as the main coordinator for its international work under the BRICS Network University. Dr Bector will help organise academic exchanges, joint proposals, and communication with other universities in the Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security theme.
Through all of it, PAU’s addition to the BRICS Network University marks an important step in building stronger global partnerships on food security and sustainable farming. It shows people the confidence in India’s agricultural knowledge and opens new opportunities for collaboration that could benefit farming communities not just in India, but even around the world.
