New Delhi Marks UN Day for South-South Cooperation with Push to Scale Dryland Innovation Across the Global South

The Global Drylands Congress 2026 in New Delhi, coinciding with UN Day for South-South Cooperation, points to India's growing role in agricultural technology transfer within Asia and Africa. The ICRISAT Centre of Excellence for South-South Cooperation in Agriculture (ISSCA) is a concrete mechanism, having identified over 100 validated solutions and supported 300 professionals from 40 countries. This initiative focuses on climate-resilient crops, soil and water management, and digital agriculture, directly addressing food security challenges in regions like India's semi-arid zones. The collaboration between ICAR and ICRISAT demonstrates a long-term commitment to sharing expertise. The emphasis on adapting proven solutions rather than reinventing them is a practical approach for Asian markets facing similar climate pressures. Dr. Himanshu Pathak, ICRISAT Director General, noted this shift from mere knowledge exchange to practical adoption. The challenge lies in ensuring these solutions are genuinely tailored to local realities and can scale effectively beyond initial pilot programs, particularly in diverse agricultural landscapes across Asia. The immediate impact for Asian startups in agritech could be increased opportunities for partnerships and market entry, leveraging ISSCA's network and validated solutions.