I C A R D A    N e w s

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
For more information contact: Dr Surendra Varma (s.varma@CGIAR.ORG)
 
 
5 May 2005
FAO-TCP Workshop in Karakalpakstan
During the workshop, Dr Raj Paroda met with H.E. Mr Musa T. Erniyazov (right), Speaker of the Parliament, Republic of Karakalpakstan.
A workshop of the FAO-TCP project on “Sustainable agricultural practices in the drought-affected region of Karakalpakstan” was held on 13-14 April in Nukus. Jointly organized by FAO, ICARDA, and the Central Asian Research Institute of Irrigation (SANIIRI), the workshop attracted more than 32 participants, including 10 farmers involved in the project, local scientists and administrators from Karakalpakstan. Three senior experts from FAO, Dr T. Friedrich, Dr G. Munoz and Dr J. Benites, attended the workshop. Dr Raj Paroda, Regional Coordinator, ICARDA-CAC; Dr Mekhlis Suleimenov, Assistant Regional Coordinator, ICARDA-CAC; and Dr Aziz Nurbekov, Project Officer represented ICARDA. The workshop was chaired by Dr Mekhlis Suleimenov. Mr Bazarbay Priyarov, Deputy Governor of Chimbay District, welcomed the participants. Dr Raj Paroda delivered the inaugural address.

Dr T. Friedrich made a presentation on global agricultural practices with emphasis on zero tillage technologies in irrigated agriculture; Dr G. Munoz on new improved water saving technologies for permanent beds and recommendations for management of irrigated salinity affected soils; and Dr J. Benites on management and improvement of soil fertility. Five papers were presented by Project National Consultants on various aspects of the project activities. A field day followed the workshop where FAO technical officers demonstrated no-till planters imported from Brazil and India, methodology of Rapid Soil Quality Assessment, and methodology of irrigation scheme assessment.

During his visit to the region, Dr Paroda met with the Speaker of Karakalpakstan Parliament, H.E. Mr Musa Erniyazov; and the Governor of Chimbay District, Mr Maksetbay Shankhiyev, and briefed them on the TCP activities and collaboration of ICARDA scientists in various on-going activities on sustainable agriculture. H.E. Mr Erniyazov expressed great interest in the project activities, particularly in zero tillage technologies and requested for more information on conservation tillage. He pledged his full cooperation to FAO and ICARDA in the implementation of the TCP project for the benefit of resource-poor farmers of Karakalpakstan.

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 countries, international and regional organizations, and private foundations supporting15 international research centers that mobilizes cutting-edge science to promote sustainable development by reducing hunger and poverty, improving human nutrition and health, and protecting the environment.
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