INTERNATIONAL
CENTER FOR AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH IN THE DRY AREAS
P.O. Box 5466, Aleppo, Syria
Phone: (963-21) 2213433, 2213477, 2225112, 2225012
Fax: (963-21) 2213490, 2225105; E-mail: ICARDA@CGIAR.ORG
Website: www.icarda.cgiar.org
Surendra Varma (s.varma@CGIAR.ORG)
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| Prof. Dr Adel El-Beltagy (left), Director General of ICARDA, received the delegation from northern Iraq and discussed the ICARDA strategy and plan of work for rebuilding agriculture in the country. Seated next to the DG from left to right: Mr Anwar Ahmed, Program Officer, Office of Project Coordination (OPC); Mr Bahjat Mohamed, Director, Dohuk Region Research Station; Mr Ali Mohamed Ameen, Director General, Agricultural Research, Extension and Training in Erbil; and Dr Nariman Haweiz, Director General, Veterinary and Animal Production in Sulaimanyah. |
Led by Mr Anwar Ahmed, Program Officer, Office of Project Coordination (OPC), the delegation consisted of Mr Ali Mohamed Ameen, Director General, Agricultural Research, Extension and Training in Erbil; Dr Nariman Haweiz, Director General, Veterinary and Animal Production; and Mr Bahjat Mohamed, Director, Dohuk Research Station.
The delegation held meetings with the members of ICARDA senior management and the scientists in the Germplasm Program, Natural Resources Management Program, Human Resources Development Unit, Genetic Resources Unit, Computer and Biometrics Services Unit, Seed Unit, and Station Operations.
The following areas were identified for collaboration: (1) human resource development and capacity building, including degree-oriented training, and short-term training at ICARDA headquarters as well as in northern Iraq, (2) organization of study tours in areas of mutual interest, (3) participation in some of the regional and international scientific conferences, workshops and meetings coordinated by ICARDA, (4) exchange of adapted germplasm and improved varieties for testing in the northern Iraq environment, (5) establishment of on-farm and on-station verification and demonstration trials, (5) assistance in organizing farmer field days and schools to strengthen the extension sector, (6) exchange of visits by Iraqi and ICARDA scientists, and (7) exchange of publications and other information material.
The delegation members pointed out that irrigation, particularly supplemental irrigation, is one of their top priorities, and will receive a major share of financial allocation for research for development. Animal feeding, rangeland, and fodder crops are some of the other priority areas.
The delegation members and ICARDA scientists jointly developed a draft proposal for the implementation of collaborative research and training activities in northern Iraq. The delegation leader indicated that OPC would cover all costs of the proposed activities. At the end of their visit, the visitors thanked ICARDA for its continued support to Iraq.
About
ICARDA: Established in 1977, ICARDA (www.icarda.cgiar.org)
serves the entire developing world for the improvement of barley, lentil,
and faba bean; and dry-area developing countries for the on-farm management
of water, improvement of nutrition and productivity of small ruminants (sheep
and goats), and rehabilitation and management of rangelands. In the Central
and West Asia and North Africa (CWANA) region, ICARDA is responsible for the
improvement of durum and bread wheats, chickpea, pasture and forage legumes
and farming systems; and for the protection and enhancement of the natural
resource base of water, land, and biodiversity.
The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) (www.cgiar.org)
is a strategic alliance of 62 members and 16 Future Harvest Centers that mobilizes
cutting-edge science to promote sustainable development by reducing hunger
and poverty, improving human nutrition and health, and protecting the environment.