54%
of Earth’s land surface
is rangelands, sustaining biodiversity, water cycles and billions of livelihoods
IRFC 2026 · Celebrating IYRP 2026
Pastures, People & Livestock
Sustaining Livelihoods and Ecosystem
International Rangelands & Fodder Conference
23–25 September 2026
ICAR-IGFRI, Jhansi, India
Organized by RMSI & ICAR-IGFRI, Jhansi
81
Days07
Hours50
Min48
SecAbstract Submission Deadline: 30 June 2026
0+
Expected Delegates
0
Conference Themes
0
Conference Days
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Countries Represented
About the Conference
Sustaining Pastures.People.Livestock.Our Planet.
Rangelands are more than grazing ground: they are pasture, forage, water and livestock bound together. Rangelands cover 54% of the planet’s land, yet the systems that feed our herds face mounting pressure from degradation and a changing climate.
India in context
Livestock
world’s largest herd
536 M
Milk output
largest producer worldwide
#1
Permanent pastures
grazing lands
~10.3 M ha
Green fodder gap
net national deficit
~35%
The State of Our Land
Four numbers that change the conversation.
536M
livestock in India
the world’s largest herd, dependent on secure, quality fodder and forage
~35%
green fodder deficit
India’s shortfall in green fodder, alongside a ~11% deficit in dry fodder
⅓
of terrestrial carbon
is held in the world’s grasslands and rangeland soils, a climate frontline
Why it matters
Rangelands and pastoral systems are under pressure worldwide.
India sustains the world’s largest livestock population on shrinking grazing lands, facing a net deficit of nearly 35% in green fodder and 11% in dry fodder, while grassland degradation and climate stress intensify the challenge for pastoral livelihoods.
An integrated rangeland-and-forage approach answers it at once: quality fodder and seed, ecosystem restoration, climate resilience, and the pastoral livelihoods that depend on healthy grasslands.
“The future depends on what we do in the present.”
IRFC 2026
A global conversation on rangelands & forages.
Pastures, People and Livestock: Sustaining Livelihoods and Ecosystem brings scientists, policymakers, practitioners and pastoral communities from around the world under one roof to deliberate, exchange and commit to a resilient, sustainable future for rangelands, forages and dependent livestock systems.
Generate new insights
Frontier knowledge across rangeland, forage seed, crop improvement, livestock and climate-resilient science.
Strengthen collaboration
Connect scientists, policy planners, practitioners and pastoral communities to shape grazing and land-use policy.
Catalyse innovation
Inspire practical solutions for a resilient and sustainable Evergreen Revolution across borders.
Celebrate IYRP 2026
Advance the urgency of the UN International Year of Rangelands & Pastoralists for global greening.
Research Themes
Ten Thematic Areas
Ten symposia across rangelands, forage science, livestock systems and pastoral policy; six highlights below.
01
Theme I
Multifunctional Rangeland & Grassland
Pasture–pastoralist–livestock integration, grassland rejuvenation and biodiversity, climate resilience and ecosystem restoration for land degradation neutrality.
02
Theme III
Novel Approaches in Forage Crop Improvement
Varietal development and forage quality, genomics-assisted breeding, high-throughput phenotyping, genome editing and apomixis for stress-resilient forages.
03
Theme II
Forage Seed Research & Mechanization
Improved pure and germinating seeds, seed biology, dormancy and viability, participatory seed production, and mechanization for forage and seed value chains.
04
Theme IV
Forage Production & Natural Resource Management
Integrated farming systems and circular economy, One Health, precision and organic farming, and non-conventional feed and forages for bio-energy.
05
Theme VI
Next-Generation Technologies
AI, drones and machine learning, data-driven modeling and forecasting, omics, DNA fingerprinting, biosensors and next-gen antimicrobials in forage and animal sciences.
06
Theme VIII
Socio-Economics, Policy & Pastoralism
Grazing policy and land-tenure rights, capacity building, FPOs, gender and youth, and revitalizing pastoralism and transhumance across grazing corridors.
Mark your calendar
Important Dates
The road to IRFC 2026, scene by scene. Every milestone you need to plan around, in one cinematic timeline.
PastImminentUpcomingLive
Submissions open63 days to go
30 Jun 2026
Abstract Submission
Submit extended abstracts (max 400 words) via the online portal.
Reviews complete78 days to go
15 Jul 2026
Acceptance Letters
Authors notified about acceptance for oral or poster presentation.
Early bird94 days to go
31 Jul 2026
Registration (without late fee)
Complete registration at the early-bird fee before this date.
Last call125 days to go
31 Aug 2026
Registration Closes
Final date to register and confirm your participation.
On stage148 days to go
23 – 25 Sep 2026
Conference Days
Three days of keynotes, oral presentations, poster sessions, and awards.
Call for Papers
Share Your Research
We invite researchers, academicians, policymakers, and practitioners to submit abstracts for oral and poster presentations across ten thematic areas covering rangelands, forage science, livestock systems and climate resilience.
Structured abstract (max 400 words) in MS Word
Introduction, Methods, Results & Discussion, Conclusion
3–4 keywords and thematic area selection
Author details and institutional affiliation
Presentation type: Oral / Poster / Lead / Plenary
Submission Guidelines
Everything you need before submitting your work.
- Abstract Length
- Max 400 words
- Format
- MS Word · Times New Roman 12
- Language
- English
- Abstract Deadline
- 30 June 2026
- Acceptance Letters
- 15 July 2026
- Special Issue
- Range Mgmt & Agroforestry Journal
Registration
Find your delegate fee
Register before or after the due date and discover the perfect fee for your category.
94 days left at the before due date rate
INR
RMSI Life Member (In-service)
In-service life members of RMSI.
Before Due Date
₹10,000
Early Registration
After Due·₹12,000
Register as RMSIINR
Non-RMSI Life Members
Researchers, scientists and professionals.
Before Due Date
₹12,000
Early Registration
After Due·₹14,000
Register as Non-RMSIINR
Industry & Private Organizations
Corporate, NGO and consultancy participants.
Before Due Date
₹15,000
Early Registration
After Due·₹20,000
Register as IndustryINR
Student / Research Scholar
Students with valid ID and research scholars.
Before Due Date
₹5,000
Early Registration
After Due·₹6,000
Register as StudentINR
Accompanying Member
Spouse / family attending social programmes.
Before Due Date
₹5,000
Early Registration
After Due·₹5,000
Register as AccompanyingEvery fee includes
Conference kitLunchesTea / coffee breaksCertificate of participation
Register now
* GST applicable as per Government of India rules. Bank details available on the registration page.
Venue
Jhansi, The Gateway to Bundelkhand
The conference will be held at ICAR-Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute (IGFRI), the premier forage-research campus in the heart of Jhansi.
Bundelkhand
Heart of central India
ICAR-IGFRI
Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute
The premier grassland and forage research institute of South Asia under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, hosting IRFC 2026 in the heart of Jhansi.
Location
ICAR-IGFRI, Gwalior Road, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh 284003
Accommodation
3-star hotels to guest houses across Jhansi; delegates arrange their own stay.
Getting There
Jhansi (VGLJ) is a major rail junction. Nearest airports: Gwalior (~100 km) and Khajuraho.
Attractions
Orchha, Jhansi Fort, Gwalior, Datia and the Taj Mahal all within reach.
About Jhansi
Where valour meets
the heartland.
Jhansi sits in the historic Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh, a city immortalised by Rani Lakshmibai and her stand in the revolt of 1857. Today it is a thriving rail junction and the gateway to some of India's most iconic heritage.
It is home to ICAR-IGFRI, the premier grassland and forage research institute of South Asia and the host of IRFC 2026. From Orchha's palaces to the Taj Mahal, Gwalior and Khajuraho, the region rewards every delegate who stays a day longer.
Bundelkhand
Historic heart of India
Rani Jhansi
City of valour, 1857
ICAR-IGFRI
Premier forage institute
Well linked
Rail hub · Gwalior airport
Nearby Sightseeing
Heritage within reach
A curated mix of forts, temples and world wonders, perfect for extending your trip around the conference.
~215 kmUNESCO World Heritage
Taj Mahal, Agra
The immortal monument of love in white marble: one of the seven wonders of the world and an easy add-on to your visit.
In cityRani Lakshmibai
Jhansi Fort
The mighty hilltop fort of the legendary Rani of Jhansi, with ramparts, cannons and the pulse of 1857 in the heart of the city.
~18 kmMedieval Capital
Orchha & Ram Raja Temple
A riverside town of Bundela palaces, soaring cenotaphs and the only temple where Lord Rama is worshipped as a king.
~100 kmHill Fortress
Gwalior Fort
A majestic sandstone fort crowning a plateau, described as “the pearl among fortresses of India”.
~30 kmShakti Peeth
Shri Pitambara Peeth, Datia
A revered temple of Maa Pitambara and Dhumavati, one of the most visited spiritual centres of the region.
~175 kmUNESCO World Heritage
Khajuraho
The world-famous group of Nagara-style temples celebrated for their intricate and expressive stone sculpture.
Partners & Sponsors
Our Valued Supporters
Platinum Partners
IWMI
Ministry of Jal Shakti
Gold Partners
DoLR
NABARD
ICRISAT
Knowledge Partners
ICAR
ICRAF
FAO
Find Us
ICAR-IGFRI, Jhansi
Join us in Jhansi
Be Part of the Change
Join leading researchers and practitioners from across the globe to shape the future of ecosystem-based natural resource management.
Abstract Deadline: 30 June 2026. Submit your extended abstract before it's too late!