Recent Development:
The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) launched the CGIAR 2030 Global Strategy for Resilient Drylands (GSRD) during the COP16 summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
About Drylands
- Definition:
- Areas characterized by water scarcity covering over 40% of Earth’s land surface.
- Global Drylands:
- Account for 46% of the world’s land area.
- Support nearly half of livestock and 44% of global food systems.
- Home to some of the world’s poorest and most climate-vulnerable communities.
- Unique Challenges:
- Drylands warm at a rate of 20-40% faster than other regions.
- Factors contributing to dryness:
- Rising temperatures
- Soil degradation
- Unpredictable rainfall patterns
- Exacerbation of food insecurity
Global Strategy for Resilient Drylands (GSRD)
- Objective:
- Revolutionize dryland agriculture and nurture resilient livelihoods in dryland communities globally.
- Enhance food security, conserve biodiversity, and build resilient livelihoods for the 2.7 billion people living in drylands, particularly in Asia and Africa.
- Key Features:
- A roadmap for ensuring a thriving and resilient future for dryland-dependent communities.
- Commitment to addressing food and livelihood challenges in the world’s most vulnerable regions.
- Spearheaded by:
- International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA)
- International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)
- 5 Focus Areas of the Strategy:
- Adapting agro-food systems to climate change
- Conserving biodiversity
- Sustainably managing soil and water resources
- Promoting healthy diets
- Fostering inclusive development
Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR)
- Overview:
- A global research partnership focused on a food-secure future by transforming food, land, and water systems amid the climate crisis.
- Significance:
- World’s largest public global agricultural innovation network.
- Established:
- 1971
- Headquarters: France
- Mission:
- Reducing poverty
- Enhancing food and nutrition security
- Improving natural resource management
- Operations:
- Collaborates with partners across six major regions globally.
Significance of GSRD 2030
- Resilience Building:
- Helps communities adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change.
- Food Security:
- Enhances the capacity of drylands to meet the nutritional needs of millions.
- Biodiversity Conservation:
- Focuses on preserving dryland ecosystems while improving productivity.
- Inclusive Development:
- Encourages equitable participation and benefits for marginalized communities.
- Environmental Sustainability:
- Promotes sustainable management of soil and water resources.