PANAJI
Over 200 experts and policymakers from regions such as South Asia, Africa, and Japan have gathered in Goa to discuss joint strategies for restoring India’s salinity-affected ecosystems. Rising soil and water salinity has become a growing threat to the country’s agricultural productivity.
The International Salinity Conference 3.0 (WE CARE 2025) is being held in Goa, jointly organised by the Indian Society of Soil Salinity and Water Quality (ISSSWQ), Karnal, and the Association for Coastal Agricultural Research (ACAR), Old Goa. The event is being held in collaboration with the ICAR“Central Soil Salinity Research Institute (CSSRI), Karnal, and the ICAR“Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute (CCARI), Goa.
Scientists and representatives from SAARC, AARDO, JIRCAS, ICBA, and other organisations are holding detailed discussions on ways to restore saline ecosystems. The conference is expected to result in policy recommendations and stronger research collaborations.
Speaking at the inaugural session, ICAR Deputy Director General Dr A K Nayak said soil and water salinity threaten agricultural productivity, ecosystem health, and food security, particularly in coastal and arid regions. He called for science- and technology-driven solutions to make agriculture more sustainable and resilient, stressing the urgency of addressing the issue amid climate change and increasing pressure on water resources.
ICAR-CCARI Director Dr Praveen Kumar said the conference includes a special session on sustainable coastal agriculture. It will focus on adopting climate-resilient crop varieties, integrated farming systems, and efficient resource management to reduce the effects of salinity, sea-level rise, and soil degradation.
Around 200 delegates from India and countries including Japan, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Dubai, Oman, Kenya, Ghana, Zambia, Gambia, Eswatini, and Lebanon are attending the conference.
