Watershed Organization Trust (WOTR) and ICAR-Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (ICAR-CRIDA) has conducted a regional consultation workshop on the Drylands of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana at ICAR-CRIDA, Hyderabad on 28th October 2026. The objective of the programme is for developing a shared understanding of aridity and landscape change across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, grounded in local experience and knowledge, exploring the interconnected drivers and pressures shaping the region's drylands, livelihoods, and communities, reflect on existing policies, programmes and interventions, and the experiences and lessons emerging from their implementation, identification key priorities, knowledge gaps and opportunities for improvement of drylands in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

The workshop was attended by scientists from ICAR-CRIDA, representatives of WOTR and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) located in AP and Telangana.

The meeting was chaired by Dr Vinod Kumar Singh, Director, CRIDA. In his introductory remarks he clearly brought out the contribution of drylands and rainfed during last 2 decades and the changes observed through climate data analysis on aridity in both the states.

The workshop focused on the changes occurred on land use during last 3 decades and the factor driven for the same and focused on how to enrich the drylands for sustainable development and enhancing the contribution of drylands to national and states production and economy. Meeting ended of vote of thanks to Chair and participants.