More than 800 global experts will gather in New Delhi to advance sustainable dryland agriculture, climate resilience, innovation and international agricultural cooperation.

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• Global Dryland Congress 2026 begins September 10 in New Delhi, bringing together more than 800 scientists, policymakers, farmers and development partners.
• The three-day Congress is jointly organised by ICAR and ICRISAT under the theme ‘Transforming Dryland Agriculture with South-South Cooperation’.
• The event will be hosted at the National Agricultural Science Complex from September 10 to 12, marking 50 years of partnership.
• Drylands cover nearly 45% of global land and support livelihoods of more than two billion people facing climate and resource challenges.
• Participants will focus on breeding, climate resilience, nutrition and markets, farming systems, seed systems, and greater gender and youth inclusion.
• Scientists, farmers and policymakers will exchange knowledge through keynote presentations, panel discussions, parallel sessions and poster exhibitions on sustainable agriculture.
• The Congress will advance South-South and Triangular Cooperation in agricultural research while commemorating the United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation.
• Proceedings are expected to culminate with adoption of the Delhi Declaration on Dryland, outlining priorities for resilient and sustainable dryland agriculture.
• New partnerships and Memoranda of Understanding are expected during the Congress, alongside awards recognising important contributions to dryland agricultural science.
• The Congress coincides with growing concerns over climate variability, land degradation, water scarcity and changing markets affecting smallholder farmers.
• The event will provide opportunities to develop collaborative solutions and strengthen agricultural research partnerships between countries across Asia, Africa and the Americas.
• Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will address the Congress, which aims to accelerate innovation and cooperation for climate-resilient dryland farming.