Global Dryland Congress 2026
Why in News?
The three-day Global Dryland Congress 2026 began on 10 September 2026 at the National Agricultural Science Complex (NASC), New Delhi. The Congress will continue until 12 September 2026.
The event is jointly organised by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT). More than 800 scientists, policymakers, farmer representatives, and development partners from Asia, Africa, and the Americas are participating.
Theme of Global Dryland Congress 2026
The theme of the Congress is “Transforming Dryland Agriculture with South–South Cooperation.”The event aims to promote scientific collaboration, technology transfer, policy dialogue, and scalable agricultural innovations across the Global South. The Congress focuses on strengthening climate-resilient and sustainable agri-food systems in dryland regions.
What is Dryland Agriculture?
Dryland agriculture refers to farming in regions with limited and highly variable rainfall. These areas are generally found in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid regions. Farmers in such regions depend on:
- Efficient water management
- Moisture conservation
- Drought-tolerant crops
- Climate-resilient farming systems
- Improved seed varieties
- Sustainable soil management
Drylands cover a significant share of the world’s land surface and support more than two billion people. They face recurring droughts, water scarcity, land degradation, and climate variability.
ICAR–ICRISAT Partnership
The Congress marks 50 years of partnership between ICAR and ICRISAT. ICAR is India’s apex agricultural research organisation under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education. ICRISAT is an international agricultural research institute headquartered in Hyderabad. It focuses on improving food and nutrition security in the semi-arid tropics.
Key Themes of the Congress
The Congress focuses on six major areas:
- Breeding for improved dryland crops
- Climate-resilient dryland landscapes
- Nutrition and agricultural markets
- Resilient farming systems
- Seed systems in the Global South
- Gender and youth-centred transformation
The programme includes plenary sessions, keynote addresses, technical presentations, panel discussions, exhibitions, and innovation showcases.
South–South Cooperation and Women Farmers
The Congress coincides with the United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation, observed on 12 September. It also aligns with the UN International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026, highlighting women’s contribution to agriculture, food security, and rural development.
Delhi Declaration on Dryland (3D)
The proceedings are expected to culminate in the Delhi Declaration on Dryland (3D). The declaration is expected to strengthen international cooperation, promote innovation, and support climate-resilient agricultural development in dryland regions. New partnerships, MoUs, and awards are also expected during the Congress.
Global Dryland Congress 2026: Important Facts
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Global Dryland Congress 2026 |
| Dates | 10–12 September 2026 |
| Venue | NASC Complex, New Delhi |
| Organisers | ICAR and ICRISAT |
| Theme | Transforming Dryland Agriculture with South–South Cooperation |
| Major milestone | 50 years of ICAR–ICRISAT partnership |
| Final-day significance | UN Day for South-South Cooperation |
| Expected outcome | Delhi Declaration on Dryland (3D) |
