The Value Added of Higher Education in International

(Agricultural)Development and the Role of U.S.

InstitutionsGary Pierzynski, Nina Lilja, David Frey, Sajid Alavi

Kansas State University

What should be the priority areas for global agricultural development?

• Capacity building• Sustainable agriculture production through

consumption, including food, nutrition, and child development

• Youth development, including leadership, entrepreneurship, agricultural science

• A systems approach, intensifying agricultural output in sustainable context within resource limitations

Why do global agricultural systems need to be supported?

• Global food production/processing/distribution systems must increase to meet the demand (due to incr. population & income)

• Food insecurity reduces economic growth and leads to civil conflict

• Investment in agriculture is needed now (timelag of 10-20 years for impact)

• U.S. assistance has a good record of success and brings economic returns to the U.S.

What is there for U.S.?• Expansion of U.S. export markets• Safety/quality of U.S. imports• Access to int’l networks (germplasm, new varieties

etc.)• Internationalization of U.S. curricula and student

experiences• Cross-boundary issues: water/air quality, biodiversity,

land preservation• Political stability with international partners• Investment in developing country agriculture reduces

demand for U.S. aid assistance

Role of U.S. universities

• Can effectively deliver fundamentals of sustainable agricultural development: – Human capital development (youth, cohort

training)– Research and technology transfer– Policy reform and institutional development– Form consortium partnerships (crop yields,

growing environments, chemical pesticide use, nutrition, information technology)

– Information technologies

International value-added management process

U.S. university International partners

Extension

Extension

Teaching

Research

Teaching

Research

Value-added institutional management process

Value-added institutional management process

U.S.-International dynamic interface

Positive Examples

• USAID funded projects• Fellows programs (Cochran, Borlaug, etc.)• International 4-H and youth development

04/19/23 Africa 4-H Overview 8

4-H in Africa - 2010

Department of Grain Science and Industry at K-State works closely with International Association of Operative Millers to provide technical training to flour millers worldwide with seminars, short courses and distance learning, including support for low cost addition of essential vitamins and iron into diets of millions through flour fortification.

Kansas State University

• International Grains Program – 2010: 27 courses, 477 participants, 43 countries– GEAPS-KSU Distance Learning Program

• Proposed International Center for Grain Operations and Processing – GEAPS, KSU, ISU, others?

• India - PAU (2+2), MPAU, ICAR• International diagnostic network

Kansas State University

• Distance Programs – MAB, Food Science• Plant Pathology – Fusarium workshop, writing

workshops• Agribusiness Development Teams – National

Guard, Afghanistan, 4th team in training• Extruded rice, lentil substitutes• INTSORMIL impact assessment (in progress)