Research on the Cultivation of Innovative Talents and Practical Pathways in Agricultural Universities under the "Double First-Class" Initiative--A Case Study of the "Yuxin" Practice Team of Henan Agricultural University

The "Double First-Class" initiative prioritizes the cultivation of high-caliber innovative talents. Agricultural universities are entrusted with the contemporary mission of supporting rural revitalization and ensuring food security. To address challenges such as the misalignment between talent cultivation and industrial demands, as well as incomplete practical training systems in certain agricultural universities, this study examines the "Yuxin" practice team of Henan Agricultural University as a case study. Through case study, literature review, and inductive analysis methods, it systematically explores the team's integrated four-pronged approach to cultivating innovative talents, characterized by "Value Guidance-Integration of Research and Competition-Grounding Fundamentals in Practice-Empowerment through Inheritance." The study reveals that the team's success stems from an educational model centered on a "Competition-Research-Practice" cycle. This model emphasizes engagement with authentic agricultural challenges, reinforced ideological guidance, ability development through real-world projects, skill enhancement on comprehensive practical platforms, and a culture of peer mentorship that ensures the continuity of innovation. As shown in Table 1, this approach has produced notable outcomes in academic innovation, competition achievements, talent development, and social service. The findings offer practical references and theoretical insights for agricultural universities under the "Double First-Class" initiative, providing guidance to overcome challenges in talent cultivation and to construct distinctive and effective educational systems.