Events

This event, alongside the African Food Systems Forum, is convened by the Crop Trust, the African Union Commission and the African Seed and Biotechnology Platform Cluster on Opportunity Crops and Farmer-Managed Seed Systems, with the generous support of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland.

Drylands are on the front line of climate change, biodiversity loss, land degradation, and food and nutrition insecurity. As the Dryland Congress 2026 brings together global leaders, researchers, and policy makers under the theme of transforming agriculture in dryland regions, this Crop Trust side event will highlight the critical role of conserving and using crop diversity to build resilient and sustainable food systems.

The event will bring together key actors from across the food and agriculture ecosystem – including policymakers, scientists, funders and practitioners – to explore how diverse crops and foods can support better diets while strengthening resilience and livelihoods.