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Project Overview
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Project
Overview
Agriculture in northern Iraq is dominated by cereal cropping.
The dry, rain-fed conditions, require varieties well suited
to the physical stresses commonly found; salinity and drought,
and diseases, notably stripe rust. Introducing modern seed
varieties and agronomic practices to replace those used since
the 1980s could realistically double yields, currently well
down on similar cropping regions elsewhere. Research is focusing
on identifying and disseminating suitable varieties from within
Iraq, ICARDA's collection and Australia, emphasising farmer
participation. Capacity building is underway with Iraqi scientists
also being supported to attend appropriate and relevant international
workshops.
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Progress Year One 2005/06 |
The implementation of the project has been and remains difficult
given the political and security situation in Iraq. There
have been changes in MOA Minister (twice) and MOA Coordinator,
a referendum and election, and land disputes and security
concerns, which have meant that no planned activity has been
possible in Tel Afar and Al Rashidya research stations. The
MOA project co-ordinator, Dr Awad Abbas, DG of the State Board
of Agricultural Extension was assassinated in Baghdad after
returning from the September 2005 planning meeting at ICARDA,
which was a severe setback, although his replacement, Dr
Saleh Bader, DG of the State Board of Research, is providing
excellent support. There has been severe violence and bombings
in Mosul and Tel Afar, where much of the project activity
is located, which has made it difficult and dangerous for
project personnel in both the office and field - these problems
have escalated considerably since the start of the project.
Another constraint is that in-country field visits by ICARDA
and Australian collaborators for planning, implementing and
checking the work are not possible.
Despite these difficulties, the project has gone remarkably
well since commencement on 1 May 2005. This has been facilitated
by the enthusiasm, flexibility and dedication of Iraqi collaborators,
the proximity of ICARDA, and the interest and support of ICARDA
and Australian scientists. There have been two major planning
meetings at ICARDA in July and September 2005, which were
well attended by Baghdad, Mosul, ICARDA and Australian scientists.
The Ninevah Implementation Committee, set up by MOA
to manage the project, has met and produced minutes from 18
meetings which discussed and coordinated the Iraqi activity.
The agreed workplan for the demonstration program has been
carried out at 13 locations in the four main agroclimatic
zones as planned. However, because of heavy rain, security
concerns, land disputes and transport shortages, it was only
possible to undertake 30 of the 80 planned research trials
evaluating better adapted lines/varieties. The agreed training
program at ICARDA for 23 Iraqi scientists was exceeded. Capital
purchase of zero-till seeders was completed and seed cleaning
plants are under way. Operational funds were transferred to
all partners. This is detailed below.
Activities were initiated and facilitated through three major
meetings to identify "best-bet" varieties and
technologies for demonstrations and varieties/lines and
technologies for further research. These meetings were held
at ICARDA in June 2005 with ICARDA scientists, in July 2005
with ICARDA and Iraq scientists, and in September 2005 with
ICARDA, Iraqi and Australian scientists. Much of the discussion
was based on previous experience by collaborators in Iraq
and in similar environments in north-east Syria.
To provide background and a base for future impact assessment,
a baseline survey was developed and conducted with
260 farmers in July/August 2005 by MOA and University of Mosul
socio-economists, the former introduced as collaborators after
the project commenced. The baseline survey characterized the
dryland environments and farming systems in Ninevah and identified
constraints. Preliminary results were collated and presented
at the September 2005 planning meeting to help guide selection
of crop varieties and technologies for testing/promotion.
Varieties and technologies of interest identified in these
meetings and the baseline survey were incorporated into a
detailed 2005/06 workplan prepared at the September 2005 meeting,
which formed the basis of trials and demonstrations undertaken
in 2005/06. ICARDA and Australia provided seed for trials
and demonstrations based on this evaluation and workplan.
On-farm demonstrations of improved varieties were conducted
as planned in the following locations:
High Rainfall Areas: Al Shekhan, Rabiah, Al Kosh
Medium Rainfall Areas: Al Hamdaniah, Tel Keyf, Basheeka, Al
Namroud
Low Rainfall Areas: Tel Abta, Al Hadar, Al Mahlabiah
Supplementary Irrigation: Rabiah, Al Namroud, Humeydat
Best-bet technologies and new lines/varieties were tested
and demonstrated at these sites in a participatory manner
with farmers. Experiences were also promoted more widely amongst
farmers through field days at each of the demonstration sites.
Many farmers were interested in some of the improved varieties
which seemed to perform better than farmer varieties. Dissemination
was encouraged through distribution of seed from the demonstrations/trials
to interested farmers for planting in 2006/07.
Planned demonstration trials on crop management issues
such as tillage (farmer practice vs modified tillage), fertilizers
(recommended and reduced rates of N and P), weed control (plus
and minus herbicides) were not conducted because of heavy
rain, security concerns, land disputes, lack of machinery
and transport shortages; it is planned to conduct them in
2006/07.
Research trials evaluating better adapted lines/varieties
of the project crops were planned at ten locations: Rabiah
(HRA), Al Kosh (HRA), Al Rashidya (MRA), Baashika (MRA), Telkeyf
(MRA), Al Namroud (MRA), Bartala (LRA), Al Hadar (LRA), Tel
Abta (LRA), Tel Afar (LRA). However, it was only possible
to conduct 30 of the planned 80 research trials as listed
below. Many trials could not be established because of heavy
rain, security concerns, land disputes and transport shortages.
Wheat: 6 of 14 planned durum/bread wheat experiments conducted
at Al Rashidya research centre
Barley: 5 of 17 planned experiments conducted at Al Rashidya
and Al-Hadar
Chickpea: 14 of 16 planned research experiments conducted
at Al Rashidya, Bartala and Al-Kosh
Lentil: 4 of 8 planned experiments conducted at Al Rashidya
and Bartala
Faba bean: 1 of 9 planned experiments conducted at Al Rashidya
Forage legumes: 16 forage legume experiments could not be
planted because of heavy Jan-Feb rains.
In project-linked research at ICARDA, a range of varieties/lines
of oats, peas, canola and other oilseeds (Brassica napus,
B. juncea, B. carinata, B. rapa, camelina sativa, C. abyssinica,
Sinapis alba, Linum usitatissimum) from Australian collaborators
was introduced and tested for adaptation and use in Iraq.
Some varieties grew and seeded very well. The trial was inspected
and discussed with several groups of visiting Iraqi scientists
and seed was collected for broader testing of material of
interest in Iraq and ICARDA in 2006/07.
Demonstrations and trials have been harvested and measured
and data collected, analyzed and evaluated. Reports are being
prepared and were presented at the September 2006 annual reporting/planning
meeting at ICARDA.
The project has re-established international linkages
amongst Iraqi, ICARDA and Australian scientists. Twenty six
Iraqi scientists have participated in six ICARDA training
courses, and there were several other visits by MOA/DOA scientists
to discuss and plan project activities. Australian collaborators
presented four seminars in the September 2005 planning meeting
on advances of relevance to Iraq in cereal and legume improvement,
crop management and crop-livestock interactions in Australia.
Lists of priority items for capital purchase were discussed
and developed between MOA and ICARDA according to the agreed
budget. Four zero-till seeders from India were purchased,
with three sent to DOA Mosul in May 2006 and one kept at ICARDA
for project research and training. Specifications and prices
for high-priority seed cleaning equipment were obtained -
MOA/DOA are still considering the most appropriate machines
for purchase.
There were major delays with dispatch of the budget
to Iraq. Fortunately, fund transfer delays did not affect
technical progress and the extensive 2005/06 demonstration
and research programs were implemented with a special allocation
of funds from MOA, support with fertilizers and time/money
from farmers, and willing contributions of vehicles and time
from DOA staff. The fund transfer issue was eventually solved
and the first-year Iraq operational funding was transferred
to the MOA Baghdad Bank in June 2006.
Project Progress Year Two (2006/07)
Similar to the year of 2005/06 the implementation of the project
has been difficult given the political and security situation
in Iraq. There has been severe violence and bombings in Mosul
and Tel Afar, where much of the project activity is located,
which has made it difficult and dangerous for project personnel
in both the office and field - these problems have escalated
considerably since the start of the project. Another constraint
is that in-country field visits by ICARDA and Australian collaborators
for planning, implementing and checking the work are not possible.
Despite these difficulties, the project has gone remarkably
well since 1 July 2006. This has been facilitated by the
enthusiasm, flexibility and dedication of Iraqi collaborators,
the proximity of ICARDA, and the interest and support of ICARDA
and Australian scientists. There was a major reporting and
planning meeting at ICARDA in October 2006, which was well
attended by Baghdad, Mosul, ICARDA and Australian scientists.
Using the experience of 2005/06, more manageable and realistic
workplans were developed for cereal evaluation, legume evaluation,
agronomy, socio-economic, and seed production R & D for
2006/07. The Ninevah Implementation Committee, set up by MOA
to manage the project, which functioned excellently in 2005-06,
has been unable to meet regularly in Mosul/Ninevah as it is
too dangerous, so coordination and oversight has been through
regular visits and interactions at research and demonstration
sites. The agreed workplans for the demonstration and research
programs were carried out at 12 locations, 3 in each the four
main agroclimatic zones, with a target of 41 demonstrations
(33 for cereals and 8 for legumes) and 22 research yield trials
(15 for cereals and 7 for legumes).
Some two-thirds of the demonstration workplan has been
implemented with all crops sown in most of the 12 demonstration
locations under farmer, improved tillage, and zero-tillage
treatments. There is great enthusiasm about the potential
of zero-tillage, which reportedly has never been tried before
in Iraq. Enthusiasm has no doubt been increased by the increase
in the price of 200 l of diesel from $2 a few years ago, to
$125 in 2006, and to $250 in 2007 (near world prices). The
two sub-soilers (deep tillage machines) requested by the DOA
Ninevah group for trials and demonstrations have been purchased
and dispatched, arriving a little late for 2006/07 planting
but ready for 2007/08. There has been considerable interaction
in the arrangements for purchase of 10 MOA-requested seed
cleaning plants. A final inspection and specification check
by MOA at the manufacturer in Syria was carried out and the
cleaners were shipped to Iraq.
The agreed training program at ICARDA for about 20
Iraqi scientists was exceeded and a total of 34 participants
took part in short-term courses and on-the-job training. In
addition, 8 farmers accompanied by 4 DOA Ninevah scientists
including the Iraqi Project Manager, visited ICARDA and inspected
research on soil and crop management and crop improvement
including zero-till direct sowing compared with conventional
deep tillage.
Activities were initiated and facilitated through two major
meetings to identify "best-bet" varieties and
technologies for demonstrations and varieties/lines and technologies
for further research. These meetings were held at ICARDA in
October 2006 with ICARDA, Iraqi and Australian scientists
and in Amman, Jordan, in January 2007 with project coordinators
both from ICARDA and Iraq during the Iraq/ICARDA coordination
meeting. Much of the discussion was based on previous experiences
by collaborators in Iraq and in similar environments in north-east
Syria.
Cereal and legume varieties and technologies of interest including
zero-till direct sowing identified in these meetings
were incorporated into a detailed 2006/07 workplan prepared
at the October 2006 meeting, which formed the basis of trials
and demonstrations undertaken in 2006/07. ICARDA and Australia
provided additional seed for trials and demonstrations based
on these evaluations and workplan.
On-farm demonstrations of improved cereal and legume varieties
were conducted as planned in the following locations:
High Rainfall Areas: Al Shekhan, Rabiah, Al Kosh
Medium Rainfall Areas: Al Hamdaniah, Tel Keyf, Basheeka
Low Rainfall Areas: Tel Abta, Al Hatra, Al Mahlabiah
Supplementary Irrigation: Rabiah, Al Namroud, Humeydat
Similar to the 2005/06 season, best-bet technologies and new
lines/varieties were tested and demonstrated at these sites
in a participatory manner with farmers. Thus, crop varieties
in demonstrations were planted under three crop management
practices (zero-tillage, chisel plough soil preparation,
farmers' practice). Experiences and findings were promoted
widely amongst farmers through field days at each of the demonstration
sites. Many farmers were interested in some of the improved
varieties which seemed to perform better than farmer varieties.
Dissemination will be encouraged further through distribution
of seed from the demonstrations/trials to interested farmers
for planting in 2007/08.
In the research program, a range of nurseries and trials
were planted in late Dec/early Jan and these established well
because of good January rains (>31 mm during late January)
in Rasheedya Experimental Station in Mosul. These were:
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Barley Nursery for Iraq |
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International Barley Yield Trial - Moderate
Rainfall Areas 2006 -2007 (IBYT07 - MRA set 25) |
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International Barley Observation Nursery
Moderate Rainfall Areas (IBON-MRA) 2006-2007 |
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Chickpea International Elite Nursery-Latin
America 2007 (CIEN-LA-2007) |
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Chickpea International Elite Nursery-Winter-2007
(CIEN -W-2007) |
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Faba Bean S1 populations 2007 |
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Selection from Lentil F3 populations
2007 |
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Comparison of 16 genotypes
of "Bekia" (Vicia sativa) |
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Effect of land management and
crop rotation with Lentil on Durum Wheat Om-Rabi5 productivity
and quality |
New seed from ICARDA for trials and demonstrations
was discussed and agreed at the Reporting/Planning meeting
at ICARDA in October 2006. This supplemented the considerable
amount of seed saved from the 2006 harvest in Ninevah. About
2 tons of seed was prepared and tested for pests/diseases
- some seed was found to be contaminated and was replaced
and retested. Testing was finished and the shipment was received
by DOA Ninevah on 16 December. This did not delay the planting
program which proceeded with seed already on hand following
good rains in early November.
In project-linked research at ICARDA, four agronomy trials
linked to the project on zero-tillage of oats, wheat, chickpea,
and barley and adaptation/seed increase of Australian-supplied
oilseeds and oats were established using the Indian zero-till
planter at ICARDA in November 2006. These gave good information
on new systems of conservation cropping and were useful for
training of Iraqi visitors. Some on-farm demonstrations of
growing crops with zero-tillage and stubble mulching were
also established on farms around ICARDA with the Indian zero-till
seeder and local cooperating farmers seem very interested
- encouragingly, the machine has worked very well, even on
somewhat stony soils. A range of varieties/lines of oats from
Australian collaborators tested in 2005/06 season for adaptation
and use in Iraq were planted for seed increase in 2006/07.
Mitika and Possum outyielded the others including local in
a dry year with about 315 mm of seasonal rainfall. The trials
were inspected and discussed with several groups of visiting
Iraqi scientists and farmers.
Demonstrations and trials have been harvested and measured
and data collected are now undergoing analysis and evaluation.
Reports are being prepared and were presented at the September
2007 annual reporting/planning meeting at ICARDA.
The project has again re-established international linkages
amongst Iraqi, ICARDA and Australian scientists. Formal
interactions at ICARDA included thirty four (34) Iraqi scientists
participating in seven (7) ICARDA training courses, eight
(8) farmers visiting accompanied by 4 Iraqi scientists to
view conservation cropping and crop improvement research,
and several MOA/DOA scientist groups visiting to discuss and
plan project activities. Australian collaborators presented
four seminars in the October 2006 planning meeting on advances
of relevance to Iraq on genotype-environment studies in chickpea
and improved crop agronomy and management for more productive
and sustainable dryland cropping in Mediterranean environments.
Commissioned Organisation:
International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry
Areas, Syria
Collaborating Institutions
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Department of Agriculture, Western Australia,
Australia |
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Centre for Legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture,
Australia |
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University of Adelaide, Australia |
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Ministry of Agriculture, Iraq |
Project Budget: $1,250,680
Project Duration: 01/05/2005 - 30/06/2008
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