Dryland Congress 2026 Concludes with Delhi Declaration on Drylands

The three-day Dryland Congress 2026 concluded in New Delhi with the adoption of the Delhi Declaration on Drylands (3D), emphasizing South–South and triangular cooperation to transform dryland agri-food systems. Coinciding with the UN Day for South–South Cooperation, the event featured announcements of new partnerships, institutional frameworks, and Memoranda of Understanding involving ICAR, ICRISAT, and the Global Crop Diversity Trust, among others. Dr M.L. Jat called for robust data systems and living laboratories, while Dr Himanshu Pathak stressed translating deliberations into short- and long-term actions. The Congress also presented the inaugural ISSCA Global Awards 2026 to recognize agricultural innovations, climate-resilient technologies, and sustainable farming practices from across the Global South.