Divyanshi
“In every seed sown, there lies a promise of partnership, a vision of a world united by shared aspirations.”
Recently, poring over government reports, news articles, and scholarly papers, a story began to unfold- one that transcended fields of wheat and rice to touch the heart of global diplomacy. My research journey into The Strategic Deployment of Sustainable Agrarian Initiatives: India’s Evolving Soft Power Projection within the Global Geopolitical Framework revealed how India is leveraging its agricultural innovations to feed its people and build bridges with nations worldwide. In a world of climate change and food insecurity, India’s sustainable farming practices are emerging as a quiet yet powerful force of soft power, fostering trust and cooperation across borders.
This blog shares the essence of my findings, interlacing the human stories behind the data and the diplomatic significance of India’s agrarian initiatives. From Rajasthan’s arid plains to the lush highlands of Nepal, India’s efforts are sowing seeds of resilience and goodwill, aligning with its ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam- the world as one family. Here’s what I discovered, presented with a diplomatic lens and a nod to the farmers whose labour inspires global unity.
Unearthing Soft Power in Agriculture
My exploration started with a question: How can agriculture, often seen as a domestic concern, shape a nation’s global influence? Inspired by Joseph Nye’s concept of soft power—the ability to attract and persuade through shared values- I dove into India’s sustainable agrarian initiatives. Agriculture employs 45.6% of India’s workforce and contributes 17.8% to its GDP, yet its impact extends far beyond economics. With 85% of India’s farmers managing small plots, innovations like micro-irrigation and organic farming address local challenges while offering models for the world’s 500 million smallholder farms, which feed two billion people.
My research relied on qualitative narrative analysis, sifting through credible sources like government press releases, the Food and Agriculture Organisation’s reports, and news from trusted outlets. Case studies- Rajasthan’s collaboration with Israel, training programs for Nepal and Bhutan, partnerships with Brazil, Fiji, Africa, and USAID- painted a vivid picture. Each document revealed a thread of cooperation, a commitment to sustainability that resonates globally.
A Desert Blooming with Diplomacy
In Rajasthan, where the sun scorches the earth and water is a precious gift, I found a story of transformation. In 2006, then-Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje visited Israel’s Negev desert, marvelling at olive groves thriving in arid conditions. Inspired, she launched a pilot project that birthed Rajasthan Olive Cultivation Limited. By 2017, 100,000 olive saplings dotted 300 hectares, and South Asia’s first olive refinery hummed near Bikaner. With Israel’s drip irrigation technology, Rajasthan became a pioneer, boosting farmer incomes by 20-30% in water-scarce areas.
This partnership is more than agricultural diplomacy. Rajasthan’s Centres of Excellence, supported by Israel, train thousands in precision farming, fostering mutual respect. When I read about farmers travelling to Israel to learn, I imagined their pride, carrying home techniques to share with neighbours. Yet, only 15% of Rajasthan’s farmers use drip irrigation due to costs- a reminder that scaling innovation requires patience and investment. This case underscores India’s ability to adapt global expertise, earning goodwill from nations like Fiji, which shares water management goals.
Nepal and Bhutan with Seeds of Regional Unity
High in the Himalayas, where rugged terrain tests farmers’ resolve, India’s collaboration with Nepal and Bhutan tells a story of neighbourly support. In 2024, the International Potato Centre hosted a training in Bangalore, equipping eight scientists with rooted apical cuttings (RAC) and Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) technologies. With these tools, potatoes, vital to Nepal (6% of agricultural GDP) and Bhutan (38,000 tons annually), could see yields double from 10-17 tons per hectare.
I pictured Laxmi, a Nepali farmer, learning how RAC produces healthier seeds faster from a trained scientist. This initiative builds on India’s 2019 training of 40 Nepali farmers in organic farming, fostering soil health and sustainability. By hosting such programs, India strengthens regional ties, earning trust as a knowledge hub. The ripple effect- healthier crops and better incomes- mirrors Fiji’s aspirations under its 2MOU MOU with India, showing how localised efforts amplify global cooperation.
Brazil Showing a Global South Partnership
At the 2024 Global Food Regulators Summit in New Delhi, India and Brazil signed an MoU on food safety, a testament to shared values. With India’s food exports at $50.2 billion annually and 40% post-harvest losses, ensuring safe supply chains is critical. The agreement, linking India’s FSSAI with Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture, promotes technical exchanges to meet global standards.
This partnership resonates with me as a symbol of Global South solidarity. When Shri G. Kamala Vardhana Rao spoke of “advancing international collaboration,” I sensed pride in India’s role as a reliable partner. Brazil’s expertise complements India’s, potentially inspiring Africa’s food security efforts. This MoU aligns with India’s G20 advocacy for sustainable agriculture, showcasing its commitment to climate resilience and trust-building.
Africa with A Vision for 2030
With 25% of the world’s arable land, Africa holds immense potential- an 880 billion USD agricultural market by 2030. India’s partnership, promoting seeds, zero-till farming, and ICT, addresses the challenges that 500 million smallholder farms face. India’s maize hybrid JC-1441, yielding 5,846 kg/ha versus 5,000 kg/ha for traditional varieties, offers a blueprint. ICT tools reduce costs by 15%, empowering farmers with data.
Reading about Africa’s struggles- low yields, land degradation- I connected with Indian farmers facing similar hurdles. India’s experience, shared through forums like the India-Africa Forum Summit, fosters hope. Yet, regulatory barriers in Africa’s seed sector demand sustained investment. This partnership exemplifies India’s Global South leadership, aligning with its Paris Agreement commitments and earning admiration across 54 nations.
Israel and USAID as Global Innovation Hubs
India’s 2025 agreement with Israel, building on 43 Centres of Excellence, advances drip irrigation and seed technology. Training 50,000 farmers annually, these centres echo Rajasthan’s success and invite global emulation. Similarly, the 2016 USAID Feed the Future program trained 1,500 professionals from 17 countries, boosting productivity by 15-20%. These collaborations position India as an innovation hub, inspiring Fiji’s dairy goals and Brazil’s safety standards.
A Diplomatic Harvest
My research uncovered three pivotal insights:
- Diplomatic Trust: Initiatives like Rajasthan’s micro-irrigation and Nepal-Bhutan training build goodwill, offering scalable solutions for shared challenges like water scarcity and low yields.
- Foreign Policy Synergy: Partnerships with Brazil and Africa align with India’s climate leadership and Global South solidarity, reinforcing its role in global forums.
- Global Leadership: India’s collaborations with Israel and USAID showcase innovation, inspiring mutual learning for two billion people reliant on smallholder farms.
Challenges persist- high technology costs and infrastructure gaps- but India’s people-centric approach resonates globally. Farmers like Krishna in Telangana, whose incomes doubled through AI-driven tools, embody this promise.
A Collective Future
Reflecting on this journey, I see India’s agrarian initiatives as an embroidery of hope, woven with threads of cooperation. India could subsidise technologies, expand training, enhance ICT access, leverage summits like World Food India 2025, and support Africa’s seed regulations to amplify this soft power. These steps would honour farmers’ toil while uniting nations.
I felt inspired by India’s vision. From Laxmi’s potato fields to Krishna’s chilli plots, agriculture is more than sustenance’s diplomacy in action. India’s sustainable innovations invite the world to learn together, proving that in every harvest lies a chance to nurture peace, resilience, and unity.
About the contributor: Divyanshi is a fellow at DFPGYF Diplomacy, Foreign Policy & Geopolitics Youth Fellow at IMPRI and is an accomplished scholar from Allahabad Agricultural University, holding a gold medal in both her B.Sc. in Forestry (Hons) and an M.Sc. in Agricultural Economics, both with gold medals.
Disclaimer: All views expressed in the article belong solely to the author and not necessarily to the organisation.
Read more at IMPRI:
Migration of the Millionaires: A New Indicator of Global Power Shifts
US Global Health Aid Cuts: Time For Self Suffient Global South
Acknowledgment: This article was posted by Bhaktiba Jadeja, visiting researcher and assistant editor at IMPRI.
