Jimmy W. Smith, Director, International Programs, discusses the benefits of expanding AGNR's work in the international arena and the significant contributions our college can make to solving global challenges.
UMD’s land-grant mission empowers us to improve the lives and livelihoods of Maryland residents, and we have expanded that mission-driven work beyond state borders. Can you describe the importance and necessity of our college working at an international scale?
The world is now more interconnected than it has ever been. Beyond the impacts on markets, trade and supply chains stimulated by globalization, such issues as global food security, preventing and controlling human, animal and plant diseases, and addressing climate change require global partnerships and action. Poverty and underdevelopment are major drivers of global conflict and insecurity, and of course the migration crisis.
What are some of the major global challenges that AGNR is positioned to solve?
Many of the global challenges I referred to are linked to agriculture—food security, animal disease crossing into humans (zoonotic diseases), plant health, and reduction of greenhouse gases to address climate change, for example. It is also true that agriculture is being relied on as the engine
of growth in many developing countries, particularly in Africa. Hence, alleviating poverty is linked to the sector. It is ironic that, in developing countries, the majority of those who are hungry and poor live in rural areas and depend on agriculture. Addressing these challenges will rely on research to develop new technological and policy options, and getting these into use. AGNR’s enormous research, Extension and training capabilities are well matched to addressing these challenges.
What is your vision for working with international partners as well as college and university leadership to grow our international agriculture and natural resources program?
My vision is that AGNR would become the go-to land grant college for international agriculture research for development. Of course, this cannot happen overnight, but AGNR is well positioned to achieve this without much change to its core business, as the 5 Strategic Initiatives of the college map well to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals that 190 countries, including the U.S., have adopted. What is needed is commitment by all and mobilization of internal and external resources to extend what we now do beyond our borders. UMD’s location in the capital district area and in proximity to federal government, international organizations and diplomatic missions provides a significant comparative advantage for building and leveraging partnerships here and around the world to pursue such a vision.
How can our students, Maryland’s citizenry and Momentum readers help in your efforts?
By internalizing a development mission for UMD that goes beyond the borders of Maryland and the U.S., based on the mutual interest and interconnectedness I discussed above. Students, both graduate and undergraduate, are integral to these efforts through their research and Extension efforts, participation in Global Classrooms, study abroad, and internships. The citizens should enable political support and financial support, since addressing the issues I discussed is not just humanitarian, as important as that is, but also in our economic and social interest.
Learn more about AGNR’s International Programs : Momentum Magazine Summer 2023
