The CGIAR Research Program on Dryland Systems is a global agricultural research partnership to realize the potential of dryland communities. The program brings together eight CGIAR centers, and numerous international, regional, and national partners to engage in integrated agricultural systems research.

In 2015, war and political instability ravaged many countries in the Middle East and North Africa. A growing body of scientific evidence suggests a strong correlation between climate change, land degradation, conflict, and migration. The case for continuing to support research in rural drylands of the developing world is stronger than ever.