New Delhi Summit Targets Dryland Agricultural Innovation

The congress, co-organized by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), focused on bridging the gap between scientific research and field-level impact. Central to this mission is the ICRISAT Centre of Excellence for South-South Cooperation in Agriculture (ISSCA). Currently operating with 19 partners, the platform has identified over 100 scalable agricultural solutions and trained more than 300 professionals across 40 countries.

ICRISAT Director General Dr. Himanshu Pathak emphasized that the initiative marks a shift from mere knowledge exchange to the rapid adoption of proven technologies. By sharing expertise in climate-resilient crops and water management, participating nations aim to bypass redundant development cycles. Dr. M.L. Jat, Secretary of DARE and Director General of ICAR, echoed this sentiment, framing the partnership as a blueprint for cross-border scientific collaboration. The summit concluded with the adoption of the Delhi Declaration on Drylands, a strategic commitment to transforming these vulnerable landscapes into centers of sustainable growth and resilience.