India Pushes Drylands Up the Global Agriculture Agenda at Dryland Congress 2026

11 September 2026, New Delhi: India has called for a shift in how dryland agriculture is viewed and developed, arguing that science, supportive policies and stronger market linkages can turn climate-vulnerable regions into more productive and resilient agricultural systems.

Speaking at the opening of the Dryland Congress 2026 in New Delhi, Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan said drylands should not be treated as a structural weakness, but as an opportunity for agricultural transformation.

“With the right science, the right policy and the right market support, they can become one of the greatest strengths for India, Africa and other regions facing similar challenges,” Chouhan said.

The three-day Congress, which began on September 10, has brought together more than 800 delegates from over 25 countries, including scientists, policymakers, development organisations, industry representatives, academics, civil society groups and farmers.

The discussions come as dryland regions face mounting pressure from climate change, water scarcity, land degradation, low farm profitability and limited livelihood opportunities. The Congress is examining how advances in crop improvement, climate-resilient farming systems, landscape management, nutrition, markets and policy can be translated into practical solutions for these regions.

From production to farmer prosperity

Chouhan stressed that agricultural transformation in dryland areas must go beyond raising crop yields.

He said food security, nutrition and farmer prosperity should remain at the centre of agricultural policy, with the success of interventions measured not only by production but also by their impact on rural livelihoods.

The message reflects a broader shift in agricultural development thinking: improving productivity in water-constrained environments will require integrated approaches that connect genetics, natural-resource management, markets and rural development.

Dr M. L. Jat, Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education and Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, called for a “whole-of-system, whole-of-society and whole-of-government” approach to dryland transformation.

“From recommendations to action, from silos to systems — that is the pathway to transforming dryland agriculture,” Jat said.

Drylands gain global significance

The Congress is positioning dryland agriculture as a major issue for the Global South, particularly across Asia and Africa, where millions of farming communities depend on agricultural systems exposed to rainfall variability and resource constraints.

Dr Himanshu Pathak, Director General of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), said drylands need to become more productive, profitable and resilient while generating stronger livelihood opportunities and reducing pressure for rural out-migration.

The emphasis on profitability is significant. Climate resilience alone may not be sufficient to drive adoption of new technologies and farming practices unless farmers can see a viable economic return.

Water management is another central issue. Dr R. S. Paroda, former Secretary of DARE and former Director General of ICAR, stressed the need to generate greater economic and nutritional value from every drop of water in dryland farming.

Dr Panjab Singh, former Director General of ICAR, similarly argued that the next generation of dryland farming systems must be profitable, resilient and environmentally sustainable while remaining attractive to younger generations.

India looks to scale solutions across the Global South

South-South cooperation emerged as another major theme at the Congress, reflecting growing interest in adapting agricultural technologies and approaches across regions with similar climate and resource constraints.

Dr Trilochan Mohapatra highlighted the importance of sharing knowledge, technologies and successful agricultural models among countries of the Global South.

Former ICRISAT Director General Dr William D. Dar said such cooperation can enable developing countries to innovate and scale solutions as equal partners. CGIAR Chief Scientist Dr Sandra Milach pointed to India’s growing role as a source of agricultural solutions that could be adapted to other dryland regions.

The approach could become increasingly important as countries seek locally adaptable responses to climate change rather than relying solely on models developed for high-input or temperate agricultural systems.

Focus shifts to crop resilience, landscapes and nutrition

The first day of the Congress featured sessions on accelerating genetic gains in crops, building climate-resilient dryland landscapes, and improving diets and nutrition through markets and policies.

The programme brings together three areas that are often addressed separately: crop science, natural-resource management and food-system development.

ICRISAT also launched Transforming the Drylands: The ICRISAT Journey, documenting more than five decades of research, innovation and partnerships across Asia, Africa and other regions. The Congress also released its Abstract Book, featuring more than 250 research abstracts, alongside ICRISAT’s research and corporate profile.

Farmer representation at the opening session included Padma Shri awardee and farmer Bhikiya Ladakya Dhinda, highlighting the need to incorporate farmers’ experiences and priorities into dryland development strategies.

As the Congress continues, the focus will remain on translating scientific advances into scalable agricultural systems that can withstand climate pressures while improving incomes, nutrition and livelihoods.

For India and other countries across the Global South, the challenge is increasingly clear: the future of dryland agriculture will depend not simply on producing more with less water, but on making resource-constrained farming systems economically viable, climate-resilient and capable of supporting rural communities.

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