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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:
icarda-media@cgiar.org
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New
seed project to help fight stem rust
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| Egypt
and ICARDA have initiated a new seed multiplication project to combat
a major new threat to global food security – Ug99, a new race
of stem rust disease that is spreading rapidly, and could overwhelm
wheat varieties currently grown over huge areas. Over half the wheat
area in several countries in Africa and Asia is cultivated with varieties
susceptible to Ug99; and production in South Asia, East Asia, even
Europe, could be at risk. ICARDA and CIMMYT are working with national research programs to develop resistant varieties. Several potential lines have been identified through a screening program in Kenya and Ethiopia, and high-yielding, resistant bread wheat lines are being distributed to national programs for further testing and development. The new project builds on these efforts, aiming to accelerate seed multiplication of promising lines and released varieties in six countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, Nepal and Pakistan. ICARDA will lead project activities in Egypt, Ethiopia and Pakistan. The project, supported by the USAID Famine Fund, uses a fast-track approach:
Project activities in Egypt were kick-started at workshop held at the Egypt Agriculture Research Center (ARC), 1-3 December. Workplans and budgets were discussed by key national stakeholders, including the Field Crops Research Institute, Central Administration for Seed Production, Central Administration for Seed Testing and Certification, and the Production Centre responsible for Agricultural Research and Experiment Stations. ICARDA was represented by Dr Zewdie Bishaw, Head of the Seed Unit, and Dr Fawzi Karajeh, Coordinator of the Nile Valley and Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Program, and Dr Sanjaya Rajaram, Wheat Consultant. Dr Ayman Abou Hadid, ARC President, commended ICARDA's work in developing and launching this project; and emphasized Egypt's strong commitment to its success. The meeting agreed that the available seed – 2.4 tons of four elite wheat lines recommended by the national program – will be planted immediately. The harvest will be used next season for further multiplication, evaluation, and demonstrations. An advisory panel chaired by the ARC President and co-chaired by ICARDA will be formed to oversee project implementation. The panel will meet twice a year to monitor progress and plan future activities. |
About
ICARDA: Established in 1977, ICARDA (www.icarda.org) is one of the 15
international research centers supported by the Consultative Group on
International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). ICARDA 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.