The International Salinity Conference (WE-CARE-2025) organized at ICAR-CCARI, Goa concluded today

The International Salinity Conference (WE-CARE-2025) concluded today at ICAR-CCARI, Old Goa, Goa. The event was jointly organized by the Indian Society of Soil Salinity and Water Quality (ISSSWQ), Karnal, and the Association for Coastal Agricultural Research (ACAR), Old Goa, in collaboration with ICAR–Central Soil Salinity Research Institute (CSSRI), Karnal, and ICAR–Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute (CCARI), Goa. The four-day conference, held from 29th October to 1st November 2025, brought together experts from India and abroad to deliberate on global efforts toward managing and restoring saline ecosystems.
Shri Subhash Shirodkar, Hon'ble Minister for Water Resources, Cooperation & Institute of Public Assistance (Provedoria) Govt. of Goa. was the chief guest of the valedictory programme. In his address Shri Subhash Shirodkar appreciated ancient wisdom reclaiming the land from rivers and highlighted that soil salinity has become a major problem. He urged the scientific community to contribute in sustainable management of saline ecosystems. Dr. A. K. Rai, Head, Soil & Crop Management, ICAR-CSSRI, Karnal presented the key recommendations from the conference.
Dr. Parveen Kumar, ICAR-Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute, Goa, highlighted several innovative technologies developed by the institute, including salt-tolerant paddy varieties, integrated farming system (IFS) models, improved varieties of horticultural crops, a climate-resilient pig variety suited to coastal regions, technologies for the revival and sustainable management of Khazan lands, and an agro-ecotourism model promoting livelihood diversification.
Dr. R. K. Yadav, Director, ICAR-Central Soil Salinity Research Institute (ICAR-CSSRI), Karnal, briefed the gathering about the conference and informed that 165 delegates from Asia, America, Australia, Latin America, and other regions participated in person. He highlighted that the conference comprised six technical sessions and keynote addresses covering diverse themes of salinity research, addressing both current challenges and future perspectives. Dr. Yadav further mentioned that the proceedings of the conference would be shared with policymakers to facilitate upscaling and outscaling of the key recommendations.
Dr. A. Velmurugan, ADG, S& WM, ICAR, New Delhi appreciated the efforts of CSSRI, Karnal and CCARI, Goa in successful organization of the conference. He stressed that scientific community is on right path through such collaborations and knowledge sharing.
Shri Rami Qtaishat, Assistant Secretary General, African-Asian Rural Development Organization (AARDO), shared that with intensifying pressure on soil and water, soil salinity is affecting food and livelihood security. He affirmed that by integrated policy approaches, technologies and farmer-led innovations, soil salinity can be managed.
Various awards including best oral and poster awards for the different sessions were also conferred during the award session.
Dr. Gajender Yadav, Principal Scientist, ICAR-CSSRI, Karnal, proposed the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to all dignitaries, delegates, and organizers for their active participation and contributions to the success of the conference.