Where Research Journeys Begin - Nurturing the Next Generation of Agricultural Researchers

By Nima Chodon

Long before Sanjaya Rajaram became one of the world’s most influential wheat breeders, he was a young researcher learning alongside Norman Borlaug in Mexico. 

Rajaram credited Borlaug with teaching him the value of hands-on field research over desk-based work. Born on a small farm in Uttar Pradesh, Rajaram went on to build an extraordinary career at CIMMYT, developing wheat varieties that reached farmers around the world and eventually receiving the World Food Prize. His legacy, however, extended beyond his science. Over decades at CIMMYT, he trained and mentored hundreds of young researchers, many of whom went on to lead research programs themselves. 

His journey from young researcher to scientist and mentor reflects an idea central to CIMMYT’s approach to capacity building. Scientific progress depends not only on generating knowledge, but also on investing in people who can take that knowledge forward and find solutions to emerging challenges. 

Decades later, that tradition continues through opportunities for students to step beyond university classrooms and experience agricultural research first-hand. In India, one such opportunity has brought students —over 30 final-year undergrads— from Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) to CIMMYT for the past three years.