CANR International Programs

CANR international programs support global engagement, cooperation and collaboration as part of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR), AgBioResearch and MSU Extension at Michigan State University.

Our international programs encompass diverse areas of agricultural development and natural resources programs contributing to:

Enhancing agricultural productivity
Providing food and nutritional security
Supporting the livelihoods of rural and urban communities

Spotlight on:

Global Food Safety Symposium hosts international leaders in food policy, research

Leaders in food safety innovation, research and policy from across the globe gathered at MSU to collaborate on critical issues and emerging trends in the food safety landscape through keynote addresses and interactive panel discussions with leading field experts.

The symposium also celebrated the 25th anniversary of the International Short Course in Food Safety, a program offered at MSU that addresses growing global concerns about food safety amidst increasing demand and international trade complexities.

“Food safety is a global issue and education in this area is crucial. We’ve trained more than 800 food safety professionals, creating an excellent global network that is actively collaborating to make a difference. In the future, we hope to take this program to different regions and broaden our global reach.”

-Dr. Karim Maredia, Assistant Dean And Director Of CANR International Programs

Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences Global Leaders in Potato Breeding and Genetics

As the Project Director of the USAID- funded Feed the Future Global Biotech Potato Partnership, Dr. David S. Douches is known worldwide for his leadership in potato breeding and genetics and has released over 30 varieties. The Global Biotech Potato Partnership works to bring a late blight resistant potato to Southeast Asia. Late blight, the cause of the Irish potato famine, is the most serious of all potato diseases with an estimated $6.7 billion annually in global yield losses and control costs.

The partnership is led by MSU and consists of agreements with the University of Minnesota, University of Idaho, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Indonesian Center for Agricultural Biotechnology Genetic Resources Research and Development, International Potato Center and the J.R. Simplot Company.

"As humans, we all want healthy, nutritious, sustainable food crops that are safe and environmentally friendly. As a plant breeder, I want the same and believe we can achieve this using a combination of innovative tools developed from the past, the present, and our future. This includes biotechnology."

- DR. David S. Douches, Director Of USAID Feed The Future Global Biotech Partnership Department Of Plant, Soil And Microbial Sciences

News

"We go where the farmers are": How global MSU programs feed and educate the world

Published on April 30, 2025
Informational event highlights global MSU programs feeding and educating the world amid USAID budget cuts.
Unleashing potential at MSU: A reflection on the Borlaug Fellowship experience

Published on February 17, 2025
Dr. Meriem Djellouli reflects on her time at MSU as a Borlaug Fellow
Online master’s program growing globally

Published on December 17, 2024
Asynchronous, online graduate program will allow students to earn a degree in plant breeding from MSU