The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare marked five decades of collaboration between the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) at Dryland Congress 2026 in New Delhi. The anniversary was celebrated through a special session that brought together current and former leaders of both institutions to chart a course for future partnership. The deliberations focused on making dryland farming more resilient, improving seed systems, and ensuring that women and young people play a larger role in agricultural transformation.
What the Congress Covered
The session was co-chaired by Dr R. S. Paroda, Former Director General of ICAR, and Dr William D. Dar, Former Director General of ICRISAT. Dr M. L. Jat, Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and current Director General of ICAR, reaffirmed institutional commitment to the partnership and its importance in addressing emerging farm challenges.
Three main panel discussions examined:
- Redesigning farming systems in drylands to be more resilient and climate-smart, particularly for smallholder farmers
- Strengthening seed delivery systems and public-private partnerships across Asia and Africa
- Creating policies and programmes that give women and youth a genuine say in dryland agriculture
The Congress also featured more than 145 poster presentations from students and research scholars, with award evaluations held on 11 September. Parallel technical sessions addressed resilient farming systems, seed access in the Global South, and inclusive participation in dryland agri-food systems.
What This Means for You
If you farm in dry regions or work in agricultural development, the strengthened ICAR-ICRISAT partnership could bring improved crop varieties, better water management techniques and smarter farming methods closer to your village. Young people and women interested in farming now have an institutional focus on their inclusion in agricultural innovation and enterprise. The emphasis on scaling successful models suggests that successful farming practices tested in one area will be more systematically spread to others.