Global Dryland Congress 2026: Strengthening South-South Cooperation for Sustainable Agriculture

As New Delhi hosts the Global Dryland Congress 2026 from September 10–12, the focus shifts toward the urgent need for resilient agricultural frameworks in arid and semi-arid regions. With nearly two billion people residing in drylands globally, these areas are disproportionately affected by climate variability, land degradation, and acute water scarcity. The congress, a collaborative effort between the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), serves as a pivotal platform for knowledge exchange and policy formulation. The core objective of this summit is to leverage South-South cooperation to transform dryland farming. By fostering partnerships among developing nations, the event aims to share indigenous knowledge, technological innovations, and sustainable land management practices that can mitigate the impacts of desertification. For India, which possesses a significant portion of its arable land in rainfed and dryland zones, the outcomes of this congress are vital for ensuring long-term food security and the economic stability of millions of smallholder farmers.