India and ICRISAT Chart Future of Dryland Farming as 50-Year Partnership Deepens

New Delhi just wrapped up the Dryland Congress 2026, a major event where the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) celebrated a massive 50 years of working together. The three-day summit, ending today, brought together over 800 global experts to tackle the big challenge of making farming in dry areas stronger against climate change. They really focused on how countries can help each other, a concept called South-South Cooperation. This golden jubilee comes at a critical time for the world's drylands, which cover almost half of our planet's land and feed over two billion people. These regions, including vast parts of India, are facing tough times with unpredictable weather, damaged land, and not enough water. The partnership has already given farmers special crops that can handle harsh weather and helped improve farming methods, contributing to India's push for a developed nation by 2047, known as Viksit Bharat 2047. Looking ahead, the Congress is expected to release the 'Delhi Declaration on Dryland (3D)', a plan to guide future efforts. Expect new agreements and awards that will further boost research and new ways of farming. With initiatives like ICAR 'Mission SEHAT' and collaboration with groups like CIMMYT and the Novo Nordisk Foundation, the goal is clear: making dryland agriculture not just survive but thrive, ensuring food for everyone and a better life for farmers.