Transforming Dryland Agriculture with South–South Cooperation
DRYLAND CONGRESS 2026
September 10 - 12, 2026
NASC Complex, New Delhi, India
About the Congress
ICRISAT is holding the Second Dryland Congress on Transforming Dryland Agriculture with South–South Cooperation from 10 - 12 September 2026 at NASC complex, New Delhi, India. The Congress will bring together global experts in research, academia, industry, MSMEs, food processing startups, policymakers and NGOs to coalesce scientific approaches and innovations to capitalise on the opportunities to address the inherent and emerging challenges of the drylands.
40+
Speakers
5k
Ateendees
8+
Themes
Registration
Dryland Congress Brochure
ICRISAT at a Glance
Congress Themes
1. Breeding for Tomorrow: Accelerating Genetic Gains in Dryland Crops
2. Climate Resilient Dryland Landscapes
3. Better Diets and Nutrition through Markets & Policies
4. Reimagining Resilient Dryland Farming Systems
5. Transforming Seed Systems in the Global South
6. Gender and Youth-centred Transformation
Golden Jubilee Celebration of ICAR–ICRISAT Collaboration
ICRISAT and ICAR mark 50 years of impactful collaboration, advancing agricultural research and innovations across India in 2026. This enduring partnership has delivered climate-resilient crop varieties/hybrids, strengthened seed systems, regenerated landscapes and improved productivity and profitability of smallholder farmers. The Congress will showcase key outcomes of this collaboration and chart a forward-looking, science-led pathway toward the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
ISSCA – South–South Cooperation
The ICRISAT Center of Excellence for South–South Cooperation in Agriculture (ISSCA) serves as a global platform to share and scale proven agricultural innovations across the Global South. It brings together Governments, researchers, and development partners to co-create sustainable, climate-smart solutions that strengthen food systems and improve rural livelihoods across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and beyond. The Congress will highlight knowledge exchange and collaboration opportunities through ISSCA.
3 Days
8 Plenary
8 Keynotes
18 Lead Talks & 54 Invited presentations
Day 1
10/09/2026
Transforming Dryland Agriculture through Innovation, Resilience, and Nutrition Security
Day 1 of the will focus on advancing dryland agriculture through plenary, keynote, lead presentations, and panel discussions covering Breeding for Tomorrow: Accelerating Genetic Gains in Dryland Crops, Climate-Resilient Dryland Landscapes, and Better Diets and Nutrition through Markets and Policies, highlighting integrated approaches for resilient, productive, and nutrition-sensitive dryland systems.
Speakers
Dr Himanshu Pathak
Dr Stanford Blade
Mr Sanjay Agarwal
Day 2
11/09/2026
Transforming Dryland Agriculture through Innovation, Resilience, and Nutrition Security
Day 2 of the will begin with a special session celebrating 50 years of collaboration between Indian Council of Agricultural Research and International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, followed by plenary, keynote, lead presentations, and panel discussions on Reimagining Resilient Dryland Farming Systems, Transforming Seed Systems in the Global South, and Gender- and Youth-Centred Transformation, focusing on inclusive innovations, resilient production systems, and strengthened seed and livelihood ecosystems to accelerate sustainable transformation across dryland regions.
Speakers
To be updated
Day 3
12/09/2026
Transforming Dryland Agriculture through Innovation, Resilience, and Nutrition Security
Day 3 of the will commemorate the United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation, underscoring the importance of peer-to-peer learning, shared innovation pathways, and strengthened partnerships across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Pacific, followed by plenary sessions and high-level panel discussions focused on advancing collaborative solutions for resilient and sustainable dryland agriculture across the Global South.
Speakers
To be updated
Registration
Students/Research Scholars
₹12,000
Scientists
₹20,000
National Industry
₹50,000
Gold
sponsor- Logo placement on congress website, banners and program booklet
- Opportunity to sponsor a plenary or thematic session
- Exhibition stall
- Acknowledgment during inaugural and valedictory sessions.
- Three registrations
Diamond
Sponsor- Prominent branding as Title Sponsor on all congress materials, website, stage backdrop and media releases
- Opportunity to deliver keynote/inaugural address
- Premium exhibition space
- Logo on delegate kits and conference proceedings.
- Five registrations
Silver
Sponsor- Branding during selected technical sessions
- Logo on website and congress publications
- Exhibition stall
- Two registrations