The CGIAR Research Program on Dryland Systems (known as CRP Dryland Systems) embodies a new approach to integrated and ‘holistic’ agricultural research. It combines several research disciplines, including crop selection and rotations, natural resources management, and socio-economics. The goal of Dryland Systems is to identify and develop resilient, diversified and more productive combinations of crop, livestock, rangeland, aquatic and agroforestry systems that increase productivity, reduce hunger and malnutrition, and improve quality of life for the rural poor.