The UN estimates we’ll need to increase food production by 70% in 2050. This is a challenging task, no doubt. But we do know that agritech is our best chance to meet this demand. Several players (startups, agritech companies, and governments) contribute to the success of agritech today. However, one area we overlook is the role of educational institutions. Universities play crucial roles and are at the forefront of the agritech movement worldwide, and it’s time we spotlight them.
This article highlights seven universities across Europe, Africa, and Asia that stand out for their groundbreaking work transforming how we grow, manage, and distribute food. The article explores how these institutions are leading the agritech revolution, what their innovation means for local communities and the world, and how others can learn from their example.
Universities Leading Agritech Innovation
Wageningen University & Research – (Netherlands)
Source: wur
In 1918, Wageningen started as a humble agricultural college, morphing into a research giant by 1997. Today, it is the world’s top ag school in 2025, according to the QS Top Universities 2025 ranking. With 6 BSc and 30 MSc options, like Food Technology, students dive into AI and precision farming. One key project at Wageningen University is the €16 million AgROBOfood project, which rolls out robotic harvesters and bio-fertilisers.Â
The impact of these robots is massive in the Netherlands, where farming drives 8% of the GDP. The robot harvesters slash labor costs by 20% and increase greenhouse yields. Globally, its eco-friendly ideas cut food waste through UN programs.
AgroParisTech – (France)
Source: AgroParisTech
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AgroParisTech may have officially been formed in 2007 by merging several prestigious institutions, but its legacy stretches back to 1826. Today, as a key player within the Paris-Saclay research cluster, it’s one of France’s most renowned institutions driving agritech innovation.
Its Master’s programmes in Agronomy and Forestry equip students with cutting-edge precision farming skills, using tools like sensors, drones, and data analytics to optimise crop performance.
AgroParisTech is also conducting research in vineyard management and finding new opportunities in grape waste, transforming it into biofuels and helping lead Europe’s growing shift toward a greener, circular bioeconomy..
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) (Sweden)Â
Source: SLU
Formed in 1977 through the merger of several older institutions, SLU has become Sweden’s leading authority on sustainable agriculture, and it’s currently ranked third worldwide in the QS 2025 rankings. The university is at the forefront of climate-smart crop development with programmes like the BSc in Forest Management and MSc in Soil Science.
One standout initiative is SLU’s Plant Protection Platform, which uses digital tools to manage pests more efficiently across Sweden’s agricultural land—about 7% of the country. The result is a 30% reduction in pesticide use, pushing Sweden closer to its net-zero goals.
University of Pretoria (South Africa)
Source: University of Pretoria
Since opening its doors in 1908, the University of Pretoria’s Faculty of Agriculture has grown into one of the region’s most influential hubs for agricultural innovation. Offering programs like the BSc Agric and MSc in Plant Pathology and practical extension courses, the university focuses on developing crops that can withstand tough conditions.
Researchers at its Institute for Sustainable Agriculture are trialling precision farming techniques and water-efficient irrigation systems on experimental plots. The results speak volumes because maize yields in drought-prone areas have increased in South Africa (where just 8% of jobs are in agriculture). It’s the kind of progress that offers a promising model for arid regions around the world.
Egerton University – (Kenya)
Source: Egerton University
Egerton’s roots go back to 1939, when it started out as a training ground for farmers. By 1987, it had grown into Kenya’s first agricultural university, now shaping the future of farming in East Africa. With degrees like the BSc in Horticulture and MSc in Soil Science, students apply theoretical knowledge through drones, precision irrigation, and on-the-ground tech.
Thanks to partnerships with the World Bank, the university is also involved in developing better seeds and mobile apps tailored for small-scale farmers. In a country where agriculture accounts for a third of the GDP, these tools make a real impact by helping farmers improve harvest.
China Agricultural University (CAU) – (China)Â
Source: CAU
Feeding a population of 1.4 billion is no small feat, but China Agricultural University has been tackling that challenge since its early beginnings in 1905, officially becoming a university in 1949. Today, it stands as Asia’s top-ranked agricultural institution in the QS 2025 rankings.
Students at CAU pursue degrees like the BSc in Agronomy and MSc in Biotechnology, while its cutting-edge engineering centre is driving breakthroughs in IoT-based farm systems and CRISPR gene editing.Â
These innovations are paying off as smart irrigation systems developed at CAU have cut water use in rice farming by up to 30%. Meanwhile, genetically enhanced crops are helping boost yields, particularly in densely populated regions where every hectare counts.
Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) (India)Â
Source: IARI
Often called the backbone of India’s agricultural progress, the Indian Agricultural Research Institute has been making waves since 1905. It became a deemed university in 1958 and played a pivotal role in launching the Green Revolution—a movement that reshaped food security across the country.
Today, IARI offers advanced MSc and PhD programmes in 26 disciplines, including Genetics, and continues to develop resilient seed varieties tailored for challenging climates. Its outreach is equally impressive: through the Krishi Vigyan Kendras, over a million farmers receive timely advice straight to their mobile phones.
IARI’s drought-resistant wheat contributes significantly to the total wheat production of 113.3 million tonnes in 2024, according to reports.
Conclusion
Universities can have a massive say in global agritech, as the seven universities covered in this article have shown. Their innovation strengthens local agriculture and the global food chain, edging us closer to the UN’s 2050 challenge. Other universities can join this effort, amplifying impact through education, partnerships, and practical solutions.
