Montpellier SupAgro is widely open to international issues and partnerships, with specific focus and expertise on southern and Mediterranean areas.

From 1842 to 1853, Césaire Nivière was the first director of the precursor to the school, L’Institut de la Saulsaie, set up on his own land in Montluel.

At the end of the 19th century, Montpellier was recognized to be the European centre for studying vines, attracting both eminent researchers and viticulture specialists to the school.

The school oriented academic course content according to the main crops and agricultural practices already existing in the South of France.

Animal breeding and husbandry in harsh zones, vineyards, fruit orchards and olive groves on the plains and water management for drought conditions and marshlands In the 1980s, the French government decided to relocate all its tropical and Mediterranean research units to Montpellier, united in Agropolis International.