China Agricultural University and other agricultural universities around the world have a critical role to play in feeding a world population that could exceed 8 billion by 2050, addressing environmental concerns, and stimulating the economy in their nations and across the globe. A model that has served the United States well for more than 140 years is that of the land grant university. By providing a seamless continuum from basic research to applied research to outreach, the land grant universities solve problems and develop strategies to benefit growers, allied industry, consumers, and the environment. University-based research provides a unique, integrated or “systems” look at the needs of agriculture. At the same time, the land grant structure provides a mechanism for technology transfer, moving research from the laboratory to the field or to private enterprise for commercialization. As a result, agriculture has benefited from the latest advancements in genomics, global positioning systems, computer guided irrigation networks, and other emerging technology.
China is revolutionizing agriculture at the same time that the country is redefining itself and its position in the world. In many aspects, China looks to the United States for their experiences on agricultural development. For example, China takes reference of the United States’ solution to environmental degradation, automobiles overload, and high demand of water. Because of China’s huge population, they have to work even harder to correct these problems than any other countries. China and the United States have to work closely together to reduce environmental harms as the two largest countries in the world. The strategy exchanges between China Agricultural University and the land grant university system of the United States are the bridge between two countries toward a promising future.
So what can China learn from the land grant system? With approximately 60,000 scientists in 400 research institutes and 70 agricultural universities, the country already has the largest publicly funded and administered agricultural research system in the world. Further, China has developed its own National Agricultural Technology Extension Service, formed under the auspices of the Ministry of Agriculture and focused at the county and township levels. This system was created in 1995 by merging the National Agricultural Technology Extension Station, National Pest Control Station, National Seed Station, and National Soil Fertility Station. Traditionally, the nation’s agricultural universities have not been part of China’s extension model.
In addition to having an impact on food production, environmental protection, technology transfer and, ultimately, the economy, the land grant universities have a unique role to play in the area of public policy. They can serve as honest brokers in public debates about controversial topics, and can provide objective, science-based information to help inform decision makers. Ideally, our land grant institutions can ensure that both agricultural practice and agricultural and environmental policy are founded on sound science.
The university plays a critical role in stimulating the economy, informing the public and policy makers, and educating an increasingly sophisticated workforce. The system is not a perfect one—it must be flexible enough to evolve with the times and the changing needs of the people it serves—but the land grant system remains a model with much to offer to a dynamic society such as China’s. The next wave may very well be working cooperatively to improve our global community; this approach is exemplified by collaboration between China Agricultural University and UC Riverside in the area of plant stress and genomics. With the many opportunities and challenges faced by China and the world today, with the vigor of the country’s economy and its ambitious vision for the future.
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