Hyderabad, Feb 22 (UNI) Strengthening south-south collaboration in the global fight against land degradation and climate change, a three-week International Training on Landscape Resource Conservation concluded at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) here.
The program brought together 24 participants from 14 countries—Ghana, Tajikistan, South Sudan, Myanmar, Morocco, Ethiopia, Cambodia, Liberia, Mali, Chad, Sri Lanka, Lesotho, Iran, and the Philippines—to tackle critical challenges such as land restoration, carbon neutrality, and smallholder farming sustainability, the Institute said in a release here on Friday.
Organised by ICRISAT under the aegis of the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Program of the Government of India and supported by ICRISAT’s Dryland Academy, the program provided a platform for sharing global best practices.
Addressing participants, ICRISAT Director General-Interim Dr Stanford Blade highlighted the importance of two-way knowledge exchange and encouraged continued collaboration beyond the workshop.
“This training is not just an academic exercise; it embodies the spirit of South-South collaboration. I urge you to stay connected and build on this resource base to drive meaningful change,” Dr Blade emphasised.
He also acknowledged the support of the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, for facilitating the program.
Speaking at the program, Dr ML Jat, Deputy Director General—Research (Acting) and Global Program Director, Resilient Farm and Food Systems, ICRISAT, said, “When you return to your countries, consider how you can apply these insights to benefit your communities. We deeply appreciate the support of your governments and institutions in sponsoring your participation.”
At the inaugural session, Dr Ramesh Singh, Principal Scientist & Cluster Lead-ICRISAT Development Centre, provided an overview of the course, while ICRISAT’s Global Research Program Directors, Dr Sean Mayes and Dr Victor Afari-Sefa, emphasised the role of collaborative research in addressing global challenges.
The training covered key themes such as landscape hydrology, land resource inventory, natural resource management (NRM) structures, digital tools for landscape management, water budgeting, climate-resilient agriculture, sustainable farming practices, and nutrient management.
Participants also engaged in hands-on learning through an ICRISAT field visit and a one-week exposure visit to landscape intervention sites in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh.
The tour included the World Heritage Irrigation Structure – Sukma Dukma Dam – and visits to ICAR institutes IGFRI and CAFRI, which specialise in grassland and fodder research, as well as agroforestry.
ICRISAT’s laboratories are outstanding, and the work being done by the scientists is impressive,” said Dr Somayeh Naseri, Head of the Forest Rangeland Department at the Semnan Agriculture and Natural Resources Research & Education Centre, Iran.
“India is experiencing climate change impacts similar to those in Cambodia. The country has advanced technology and has achieved notable research advancements. The knowledge I’ve gained here can be applied to both research and policy in Cambodia,” said Chumnan Ith, Officer at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
The program facilitated knowledge exchange in landscape conservation, sustainable farming, and carbon neutrality, fostering a network of professionals committed to addressing land degradation and strengthening smallholder resilience.
