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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
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Media
contact: Surendra Varma (s.varma@CGIAR.ORG) | |||
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Qatari
Minister Visits ICARDA
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A delegation
from Qatar, led by H.E. Sheikh Abdul-Rahman Ben Khalifa Ben Abdul
Aziz Aal Thani, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Agriculture, visited
ICARDA on 21 March, He was accompanied by Eng. Mr Hussein Ali Al-Haddar,
Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform, Syria.
Dr Mahmoud Solh, Director General, welcomed the delegation to ICARDA. He acknowledged the strong support that Qatar has provided to the Center over the years. He said he hoped for an even closer relationship, expanding into new areas of research and development. The objective of the visit was to gain first-hand knowledge of ICARDA's research programs and facilities, and identify opportunities for collaboration. Dr Ahmed Moustafa, Regional Coordinator, ICARDA-APRP, presented an overview of the Arabian Peninsula Regional Program, which has ongoing partnerships with several Qatari research institutions. The delegation toured ICARDA's research and training facilities including the Biotechnology, Genetic Resources, Seed, and Small Ruminant Units; and demonstration plots/experiments on improved varieties as well as water harvesting methods.
The visit concluded with a wrap-up meeting with Dr Solh and senior ICARDA management. Dr Solh and the visitors expressed satisfaction with ongoing work, and reiterated the opportunities for expansion. "We have a long history of working together," said Dr Solh. "This has provided good examples of how research can improve livelihoods in rural areas. There are numerous opportunities to scale out this work, not only to additional areas in Qatar, but to other dry areas in the region." The Qatari delegation included Sheikh Faleh Naser Aal Thani, General Director of Administration for Research and Agricultural Development; Mr Walid Fahed al-Mane, Director of Minister's Office; Mr Ali Mohammed al-Kubaisi, Consultant, Agricultural Affairs; Mr Issa Taleb Al-Ansari, Director, Public Relations; and Mr Abdul-Aziz Mohammed al-Jaber, Secretary. |
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.