Dryland Congress 2026 ends in New Delhi with the Delhi Declaration on Drylands
On 12 September 2026, the three-day Dryland Congress 2026, organised by ICAR and ICRISAT, concluded in New Delhi with the adoption of the Delhi Declaration on Drylands (3D).
Summary
The Dryland Congress 2026, jointly organised by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) under the theme 'Transforming Dryland Agriculture with South–South Cooperation', ended in New Delhi after three days. Its final day coincided with the United Nations Day for South–South Cooperation and closed with the adoption of the Delhi Declaration on Drylands (3D), a shared agenda for transforming dryland agriculture through South–South and triangular cooperation, knowledge exchange and innovation. ICAR Director General M. L. Jat called for ICAR-NIAP to lead foresight work on dryland agriculture. The inaugural ISSCA Global Awards 2026 received 170 nominations from 34 countries.
Key facts
- Concluded
- 12 Sep 2026, New Delhi (three days)
- Organisers
- ICAR and ICRISAT
- Theme
- Transforming Dryland Agriculture with South–South Cooperation
- Outcome
- Delhi Declaration on Drylands (3D)
- Coincided with
- UN Day for South–South Cooperation
- Awards
- Inaugural ISSCA Global Awards — 170 nominations, 34 countries
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Which document was adopted at the end of the Dryland Congress 2026 in New Delhi?
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Correct answer: A — Delhi Declaration on Drylands (3D)
The Congress ended with the adoption of the Delhi Declaration on Drylands (3D).
Which two institutions jointly organised the Dryland Congress 2026?
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Correct answer: C — ICAR and ICRISAT
The Dryland Congress 2026 was jointly organised by ICAR and ICRISAT.
Consider the following about the Dryland Congress 2026: 1. Its final day coincided with the United Nations Day for South–South Cooperation. 2. It was held under the theme 'Transforming Dryland Agriculture with South–South Cooperation'. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. The closing day on 12 September coincided with the UN Day for South–South Cooperation, and the theme was 'Transforming Dryland Agriculture with South–South Cooperation'.