Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan has called for an integrated approach combining science, policy and market support to transform dryland agriculture, strengthen food and nutritional security, and improve farmers’ livelihoods.
Addressing the opening session of Dryland Congress 2026 at the National Agricultural Science Complex (NASC), New Delhi, Chouhan said drylands should not be viewed as a weakness. With appropriate scientific interventions, supportive policies and better market linkages, he said, dryland regions can become a source of strength for India, Africa and other regions facing similar challenges.
The three-day Dryland Congress 2026, which began in New Delhi on September 10, has brought together more than 800 delegates from over 25 countries, including scientists, policymakers, development partners, industry representatives, academicians, civil society organisations and farmers. The Congress is focusing on science-, technology- and policy-based solutions for resilient and sustainable dryland agriculture, with discussions covering crop resilience, sustainable landscape management, nutrition, markets, policies and livelihood opportunities.
Chouhan emphasised that food security, nutritional security and farmers’ prosperity should remain at the centre of efforts to transform agricultural systems. He said the success of agricultural development should be measured not only by increased production but also by improved livelihoods and prosperity of farming communities.
The opening session was presided over by Dr R. S. Paroda, former Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), and former Director General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). Former ICAR and ICRISAT leaders, including Dr Panjab Singh, Dr Trilochan Mohapatra and Dr William D. Dar, participated in the session along with Cathy Reade, Board Chair, ICRISAT, and Dr Sandra Milach, Chief Scientist, CGIAR.
Dr M. L. Jat, Secretary, DARE and Director General, ICAR, and Dr Himanshu Pathak, Director General, ICRISAT, are the Patrons of the Congress. The Congress Co-Chairs are Dr Stanford Blade, Deputy Director General–Research and Innovation, ICRISAT; Dr Devendra Kumar Yadava, Deputy Director General–Crop Science, ICAR; and Sanjay Agarwal, Additional Director General, ICRISAT.
The farmer perspective was represented by Padma Shri awardee and farmer Bhikiya Ladakya Dhinda, highlighting the importance of incorporating farmers’ experiences and requirements into strategies for transforming dryland agriculture.
During the session, Chouhan also launched Transforming the Drylands: The ICRISAT Journey, edited by Dr Himanshu Pathak and Dr Stanford Blade and published by ICRISAT. The publication documents more than five decades of ICRISAT’s work in science, innovation, partnerships and development impact across Asia, Africa and other regions.
The Dryland Congress 2026 Abstract Book, containing more than 250 abstracts, and the ICRISAT Research and Corporate Profile, highlighting the institute’s work in accelerated crop improvement, resilient farming systems and transforming agri-food systems, were also launched.
The first day of the technical programme featured sessions on “Breeding for Tomorrow: Accelerating Genetic Gains”, “Climate-Resilient Dryland Landscapes” and “Better Diets and Nutrition through Markets & Policies”. Experts discussed ways to accelerate genetic gains in crops, improve climate resilience, strengthen dryland landscape management, enhance nutrition and create better livelihood opportunities.
Dr M. L. Jat highlighted India’s experience in transforming agricultural systems and the lessons emerging for the Global South. He said dryland transformation requires interventions beyond agriculture and called for a whole-of-system, whole-of-society and whole-of-government approach. He stressed the need to move from recommendations to action and from siloed interventions to integrated systems.
Narendra Bhooshan, Secretary, Department of Land Resources, Government of India, highlighted the potential of digital public infrastructure, land-resource management and community action in reimagining dryland regions.
Dr Himanshu Pathak underlined the global importance of drylands for food systems and livelihoods and called for a roadmap to make drylands more productive, profitable and resilient while creating livelihood opportunities and reducing migration.
Dr R. S. Paroda stressed the importance of water management and called for greater economic and nutritional value from every drop of water. Dr Panjab Singh said the next phase of dryland development should focus on farming systems that are profitable, resilient, environmentally sustainable and attractive to future generations.
Dr Trilochan Mohapatra highlighted the role of South-South cooperation in sharing knowledge, expertise and successful models to accelerate the adoption and scaling of solutions across dryland regions. Cathy Reade called for greater global focus, investment and action in dryland agriculture, while Dr William D. Dar emphasised that South-South cooperation enables countries of the Global South to learn, innovate and scale solutions as equal partners.
Dr Sandra Milach noted that India is increasingly emerging as a source of solutions for the Global South, with innovations that can be adapted and scaled across dryland regions facing similar challenges.
The Dryland Congress 2026 will continue its deliberations over the next two days, with discussions focusing on scientific innovation, climate resilience, sustainable farming systems, nutrition, markets, policies and livelihood opportunities aimed at accelerating the transformation of dryland agriculture.