A Unified Vision for Dryland Crop Improvement

Global Dryland Networking and Partnership meet held at ICRISAT. Photo courtesy

Media Release

Hyderabad, India – The Global Dryland Networking and Partnership Meet, hosted by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) provided a unique platform for key stakeholders to build networks, break silos, and come together in a spirit of collaboration.

With over 60 breeders and seed systems specialists from National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) of more than 20 countries across Africa, South and Southeast Asia, and Australia, alongside leaders from ICAR, ICARDA, CIMMYT, and ICRISAT, the event proved to be a pivotal moment for building stronger relationships and networks across the global dryland community.

Dr Stanford Blade, Director General-Interim at ICRISAT, stated: "This gathering represents a critical opportunity to renew our collective energy and commitment. By building and extending partnerships, we can better address the challenges faced by smallholder farmers in dryland regions.”

A key highlight of the meeting was the Panel Discussion on the “Way Forward for Dryland Crop Improvement in the Global South" where panelists and participants emphasized the development of the Global Dryland Crop Improvement Network.

The demand-side assessment of NARS served as the foundation for the panel discussion, focusing on the challenges and opportunities in global dryland crop improvement.

Dr ML Jat, Acting Deputy Director General-Research and Director of Resilient Farm and Food Systems at ICRISAT, led the panel discussion. The panelists included NARS partners Dr Tara Satyavathi, David Kalule Okelo, and Dr Sanusi Mohammad Gaya; Dr Shiv Kumar Agarwal from ICARDA; Dr Chris Ojeiwo from CIMMYT; and Dr Sean Mayes from ICRISAT.

"By fostering a setting conducive to open dialogue, the meeting enabled all stakeholders to forge valuable connections, enhance mutual trust, and work collectively towards shared goals in dryland crop improvement," asserted Dr Jat in his closing remarks.

Participants of the meet visited ICRISAT facilities to gain firsthand knowledge of the Institutes’ work and updated technologies, and to identify areas for collaboration. Other important speakers at the event included Dr Aladdin Hamweih from ICARDA, Dr Harish Gandhi from CIMMYT, Dr GP Dixit from IIPR, Dr Sandip Kumar Bera from IIGR, Dr Nazmun Nahar Karim from ED-BARC Bangladesh, Dr Dhojraj Khanal for ED-NARC Nepal and Dr Victor Afari Sefa from ICRISAT. Dr Zainab Gwadabe, CEO The Seed Project Co Ltd., presented a learning seminar to ICRISAT staff.