International Salinity Conference 3.0

WE-CARE-2025: Worldwide Efforts on Cutting-Edge Approaches for Restoring Saline Ecosystems

Secondary salinization and sodification of agricultural land are among the key factors behind unsustainable farming practices. Worldwide, the total area of salt‑affected soils amounts to 1381 million ha (Mha), or 10.7% of the total global land area, impacting the livelihoods of over 2.6 billion people (about 74% of resource-poor farmers) and nearly 52% of global agricultural land. Economically, this issue causes an annual loss of around US$ 6.3 billion. Predictions indicate a considerable spread of salt-affected soils in the coming decades, threatening global food security. The largest areas are found in Australia (357 Mha), Argentina (153 Mha), Kazakhstan (94 Mha), the Russian Federation (77 Mha), the United States (73.4 Mha), the Islamic Republic of Iran (55.6 Mha), the Sudan (43.6 Mha), Uzbekistan (40.9 Mha), Afghanistan (38.2 Mha), and China (36 Mha). These ten countries account for 70 percent of the total area of salt‑affected soils of the world. Technological advances have helped mitigate the problem in large areas, restoring their agricultural potential.

In India, 6.73 million hectares are affected by salinity, with 2.95 million hectares of saline land across 16 states. Annual crop production losses due to salinity and sodicity are estimated at 16.84 million tonnes, amounting to a loss of ₹ 2300 (~$27) million. The situation is expected to further worsen, with projections suggesting that the affected area may increase to 16.2 million hectares by 2050. The primary causes include inadequate drainage systems, waterlogging, unsustainable farming practices, and the growing use of low-quality groundwater for irrigation. These challenges underscore the urgent need for sustainable management of salt-affected lands to prevent further expansion and protect food security, especially in the context of climate change.

The ICAR-Central Soil Salinity Research Institute (CSSRI) in Karnal, Haryana, India, has made significant contributions to the development of technologies for the reclamation and productive management of salt-affected soils and waters. The ICAR-CSSRI is one of the world’s leading institutions fully dedicated to development of technologies for managing saline lands for agricultural production. For decades, it has been at the forefront of developing integrated solutions for the management of salt-affected soils and waters, reaching millions of farmers through effective extension programs.

The “International Symposium on Salt Affected Soils” in 1980 marked the beginning of global collaborative efforts to combat soil salinity and improve the livelihoods of farmers in affected regions. Considering the increasing importance of salinity management for sustainable agriculture production in changing climate, the salinity experts founded the Indian Society of Soil Salinity and Water Quality (ISSSWQ) in 2008 at Karnal. This society was formed with the aim of advancing research and development in soil salinity and water quality management. In 2019, the society organized the First International Conference “Golden Jubilee International Salinity Conference on Resilient Agriculture in Saline Environment under Changing Climate: Challenges and Opportunities (RAISE-II),” during 21-23 February, marking the 50th anniversary of the ICAR-Central Soil Salinity Research Institute (CSSRI), Karnal, India. Subsequently, the Second International Salinity Conference (ISC-2024) was organised during 14-16 February, 2024 at ICAR-CSSRI, Karnal. In response to the growing challenges of climate change and global food security, the ISSSWQ, Karnal and ACAR, Goa are now jointly organizing the Third International Salinity Conference 3.0(WE-CARE-2025), in Goa, India. ICAR- CSSRI, Karnal, and ICAR- CCARI, Goa are also collaborating in this endeavour under aegis of ICAR, New Delhi. This important event aims to unite global experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to address the critical issue of salt-affected soils and ecosystems, fostering innovative solutions for sustainable agriculture in saline environments