The International Conference on Rainfed Agriculture: Building Pathways for Resilience & Sustainable Livelihoods inaugurated on January 29, 2025, at ICAR-Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (ICAR-CRIDA), Hyderabad. Organized in collaboration with the Indian Society of Dryland Agriculture (ISDA), the event brought together global experts, researchers, farmers, and policymakers to address the challenges and opportunities in rainfed agriculture.
Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Secretary (DARE) and Director General (ICAR), congratulated researchers for their contributions to enhancing productivity and resilience in rainfed farming. Highlighting the critical role of dryland agriculture in national development, he stressed the need for innovative extension methodologies to further strengthen productivity and sustainability in the sector.
Dr. S. K. Chaudhary, Deputy Director General (Natural Resource Management), underlined the necessity for developing robust technologies and policies tailored to rainfed agriculture. He urged delegates to formulate strategies and policy recommendations that could empower farmers to combat the challenges posed by climate variability and resource constraints.
Dr. V. K. Singh, Director of ICAR-CRIDA and President of ISDA, provided insights into the economic significance of rainfed agriculture in India. He stated that the primary objective of the conference was to unite researchers, policymakers, farmers, NGOs, and private sector representatives on a common platform to devise actionable solutions beneficial to the farming community.
The event also featured insights from Dr. Stanford Blade, Director General of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), highlighted the institution’s contributions to dryland agriculture and reflected on its longstanding collaboration with ICAR-CRIDA. His insights reaffirmed the global commitment to fostering resilience in rainfed farming systems through research and innovation.
Dr. JVNS Prasad, Project Coordinator (AICRPDA) and Secretary (ISDA), elaborated on the objectives of the conference. The inaugural session also witnessed the release of a compendium featuring extended summaries and related publications. Additionally, an exhibition stall was unveiled, showcasing advancements and solutions in rainfed agriculture.
The event drew participation from over 750 delegates, including farmers, NGO representatives, and private sector officials involved in agricultural development.
