Global Dryland Congress 2026: More than 800 scientists, policymakers, farmer representatives and development partners from Asia, Africa and the Americas have gathered in New Delhi for the Global Dryland Congress 2026, which began on Thursday.
The three-day international event is being held from September 10 to 12 at the National Agricultural Science Complex in New Delhi. It is jointly organised by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT).
The Congress is being held under the theme “Transforming Dryland Agriculture with South-South Cooperation” and also marks 50 years of the ICAR-ICRISAT partnership.
Focus on the future of dryland farming
Dryland regions cover a significant portion of the world’s land and support the livelihoods of more than two billion people. However, farmers in these areas face growing challenges from climate variability, water shortages, land degradation and changing agricultural markets.
The Congress aims to bring researchers, policymakers and farming communities together to explore practical solutions for improving agricultural productivity while making dryland farming more resilient to climate change.
Discussions during the three-day event will centre on six key areas: crop breeding, climate resilience, nutrition and markets, farming systems, seed systems, and the inclusion of women and young people in agriculture.
The programme includes keynote addresses, panel discussions, technical sessions, presentations and poster exhibitions. These sessions are expected to provide opportunities for participants to exchange research findings, share farming experiences and discuss technologies that can be adapted across different dryland regions.
India highlights South-South agricultural cooperation
A major focus of the Congress is South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC), through which developing countries can share agricultural technologies, research, knowledge and successful farming practices.
The concluding day of the Congress will coincide with the United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation. Special sessions will examine how international agricultural research and cooperation can help countries tackle common challenges related to food security, climate change and rural livelihoods.
The event is being organised in collaboration with CGIAR, with discussions expected to explore new opportunities for cooperation between research institutions, governments, farmers and development partners.
Delhi Declaration and new partnerships
The Congress is also expected to lead to further cooperation in dryland agriculture, including new partnerships and Memoranda of Understanding.
The proceedings are expected to culminate in the Delhi Declaration on Dryland (3D), outlining priorities for strengthening sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture in dryland regions.
Awards recognising significant contributions to dryland agricultural science are also expected to be presented during the event.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan to address Congress
Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan is scheduled to address the Congress as the Chief Guest.
With dryland agriculture facing increasing pressure from climate change, water scarcity and environmental degradation, the Global Dryland Congress 2026 is expected to provide a platform for countries and agricultural institutions to share solutions and strengthen cooperation for more resilient food systems.
