ICARDA News

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.org
3 August 2006
                             Media contact: Surendra Varma (s.varma@CGIAR.ORG)
 
Italian Delegation Visits ICARDA
Dr Mahmoud Solh (left) receives Dr Marina Puccioni (center) and Dr Enrico Baccioni in his office.
Dr Marina Puccioni and Dr Enrico Baccioni from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Florence, Italy, visited ICARDA on 10-17 July 2006. The visit was to evaluate the research projects implemented by ICARDA with financial support from Italy, and explore possible areas for further collaboration.

Dr Mahmoud Solh, Director General, received the visitors. He briefed them on ICARDA's research programs and said the Center's collaboration with the Italian government and institutions has been very useful in strengthening agricultural research and improving livelihoods in the dry areas. Dr Solh suggested that a delegation of ICARDA scientists visit Italy in early 2007 to discuss and identify research themes on which joint proposals could be developed with Italian institutions.

During their week-long visit, the delegates visited the research progarms and support units of ICARDA and held meetings with the scientists. They also toured the research and training facilities of the center.
  

About ICARDA: Established in 1977, ICARDA (www.icarda.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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