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Dryland Congress 2026 Ends with Delhi Declaration on Drylands
Dryland Congress 2026 concludes in New Delhi with the Delhi Declaration on Drylands. It is jointly organised by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
Dryland Agriculture:
| Dimension | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Definition | Dryland agriculture refers to growing of crops entirely under rainfed conditions. |
| Soil moisture retention practices | Soil moisture retention is maximised through practices such as mulching, deep tillage, contour farming, and rainwater harvesting. |
| Drought-resistant crops | Drought-resistant crops used include millet and sorghum. |
| Categories by rainfall | Dryland agriculture is grouped into 3 categories based on rainfall: Dry Farming (less than 750 mm per annum); Dryland Farming (above 750 mm); Rainfed Farming (more than 1,150 mm). |
| Issues | Dryland agriculture comprises issues such as very low, highly variable, and uncertain yields due to inadequate and uneven distribution of rainfall, late onset and early cessation of rains, and low moisture retention capacity. |