Punjab Agricultural University Joins Elite BRICS Network, A First for Indian Agriculture

Punjab Agricultural University in Ludhiana has become the only agricultural institution from India to be inducted into the prestigious BRICS network, marking a major global recognition of the country’s agricultural research and academic capacity.

Punjab Agricultural University has been admitted to the BRICS Network University framework, a collaborative platform that brings together leading higher education and research institutions from Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The inclusion places PAU alongside select global universities working on shared academic programmes, joint research, and knowledge exchange among BRICS nations.

University officials said the induction reflects decades of work in crop science, sustainable farming practices, and farmer-centric research. The BRICS Network University focuses on priority areas such as food security, climate-resilient agriculture, natural resource management, and emerging technologies in farming, all areas where PAU has built long-standing expertise.

As part of the network, PAU will contribute to joint research projects, faculty and student exchanges, and collaborative academic initiatives with partner institutions across BRICS countries. The move is expected to open new avenues for international funding, shared laboratories, and cross-border studies addressing common agricultural challenges.

For India, PAU’s entry into the network strengthens the country’s academic presence in global agricultural research forums and reinforces its role in shaping policy-relevant research on food systems, sustainability, and rural livelihoods.

University authorities described the development as a milestone that would deepen international cooperation and create wider exposure for Indian agricultural science on a global stage.