About ICBA

Agriculture for Tomorrow

Prevent, manage and recover from salinity in agroecosystems

The International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) is a leading, not-for-profit research institution dedicated to enhancing food security and sustainable livelihoods in Resource-constrained regions globally. With a vision centered on pioneering innovative, science-driven solutions, ICBA addresses the critical challenges of agriculture under extreme conditions, including salinity and water scarcity. 

At the heart of ICBA's work are three foundational pillars: Prevent, Manage, and Recover. These pillars reflect a comprehensive approach to combating salinity in agroecosystems and driving impactful, sustainable agricultural innovation. Through these efforts, ICBA remains a global thought leader in biosaline agriculture, dedicated to creating resilient farming systems for the future.

ICBA Pillars

Prevent

We prevent salinity and its associated impacts through ICBA’s integrated systems-based approach, combining scientific expertise with collaborative global partnerships. This proactive pillar focuses on innovative practices to protect agricultural lands and prevent salinization, aligned with ICBA’s mission to promote sustainable agrifood systems.

Manage

ICBA leads in managing salinity by applying science-based solutions developed through cutting-edge research and innovation. By leveraging partnerships and adopting a holistic approach, we provide practical strategies to optimize agricultural productivity in saline environments.

Recover

Recovery efforts aim to restore productivity in saline-affected lands while enhancing resilience in rural communities. Through targeted interventions, such as the introduction of stress-tolerant crops and improved soil and water management techniques, ICBA strengthens livelihoods and promotes long-term sustainability.

Leadership

ICBA’s thought leadership is rooted in its strategic goal to prevent, manage, and recover from salinity, creating a lasting impact on rural economies and advancing global food security.

The world is facing a complex set of interconnected challenges that are directly addressed by ICBA’s mission and strategies. These include:

  • Salinity
  • Climate Change
  • Globalization and Localization
  • Technology and Infrastructure
  • Funding availability
  • Political and Economic Situation

It is against this backdrop that we endeavor to make meaningful contributions to underserved farmers on the one hand, and to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals on the other.

Salinity

Nearly 25% of the world’s arable land is affected by salinity, threatening the livelihoods of 1.5 billion people globally. ICBA addresses this critical issue through biosaline solutions to prevent, manage, and recover salinity-affected ecosystems, ensuring resilient and sustainable agricultural systems​

Climate Change

Rising temperatures, erratic weather patterns, and water scarcity are exacerbating salinity and other agricultural stresses. ICBA employs advanced climate modeling and integrated solutions to enhance adaptation and mitigate climate change impacts.

Globalization and Localization 

Dependence on global food supply chains heightens vulnerability in underserved regions. ICBA strengthens local agrifood systems by introducing novel crops, building local markets, and empowering communities with knowledge and technology sharing.

Technology and Infrastructure

Limited access to modern agricultural technology hampers resilience. ICBA leverages digital agriculture, including precision farming and remote sensing, to bridge knowledge gaps and provide scalable, low-cost solutions for rural communities.

Funding availability

Accessing sustainable funding for agricultural innovation is a challenge. ICBA mobilizes partnerships and explores innovative funding models to support capacity-building programs and biosaline research initiatives.

Political and economic situation

Political and economic instability disproportionately affects vulnerable communities. ICBA’s holistic and integrated systems approach builds resilience in agrifood systems, ensuring food security amid evolving global uncertainties.