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
3 April 2003
For more information contact:S.Varma@cgiar.org
ICARDA Participates in World Water Forum
Related Center-organized workshop a great success
Water scarcity and its potential adverse consequences for food security in dry areas was the key message delivered by ICARDA Director General Prof. Dr Adel El-Beltagy at the ministerial and other high-level meetings during the Third World Water Forum (WWF) in Kyoto, Japan, held on 16-23 March 2003 to develop global policies on water issues.
    The Director General called for special attention to be given to the "serious water scarcity situation in the dry areas" to safeguard the food security of the one billion people who live in these areas and ensure "the sustainability of their ecological systems." He highlighted ICARDA's role in managing this scarce resource by improving water-use efficiency for sustainable food production. The WWF is held every three years.The Ministerial declaration of the forum reflected the urgency of dealing with water scarcity, adoption of new policies, and the use of cutting-edge science to address the problems. Here are some excerpts from the declaration:
    "We are determined to increase substantially agricultural water productivity through participatory approaches, appropriate regulations and cost-recovery
The ICARDA-sponsored Workshop Panel at the Third World Water Forum. From left to right, Professor Dr Adel El-Beltagy, Dr Margaret Catley-Carlson, H.E. Dr Mahmoud Abu-Zeid, Dr Ismail Seralgeldin, Professor Theodor Hsiao, and Professor Iwao Kobori.
Professor Dr Adel El-Beltagy, ICARDA DG, delivering his address.
H.E. Dr Mahmoud Abu-Zeid (left) and Dr Ismail Serageldin (right) making their presentations.
mechanisms, development and dissemination of research findings, capacity-building and institutional reforms, which are adapted to local climatic, environmental and socio-economicconditions".
    "We will undertake research and development, including traditional knowledge, to improve the management and availability of limited water resources in water-scarce areas, through improved crops and development of new and non-conventional sources of water for agriculture".
    "We will continue to make efforts to foster international cooperation and partnerships between and among developed and developing countries, through financial and technical assistance and knowledge exchanges,
A view of the audience at the workshop.

and to encourage private sector involvement in agricultural water development and management".

ICARDA, UNU Workshop
As a major side event of the WWF, a workshop entitled "Sustainable Management of Scarce Water Resources in Agriculture in the Dry Areas" was held on 19 March 2003 in the main conference center. Organized by ICARDA and United Nations University (UNU), the event drew a large number of WWF participants to hear presentations by distinguished researchers, academicians, and decision makers in spite of various competing events. Professor Motoyuki Suzuki, Vice Rector of UNU, represented the University.
    The Director General led the workshop jointly with Dr Margaret Catley-Carlson, ICARDA Board member and President of the Global Water Partnership. The Director General gave an overview of the water scarcity problem, and highlighted ICARDA's strategy and major research agenda aimed at dealing with water scarcity. Other distinguished panel members who spoke at the workshop were:

  • H.E. Dr Mahmoud Abu Zeid, Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources, Egypt, and President of the World Water Council, which organized the WWF, presented a paper on the policies and institutional changes needed in the dry areas to help cope with increasing scarcity. He stressed the need to revise current policies and reform water institutions to face the challenge.
  • Dr Ismail Serageldin, Director General of Bibliotheca Alexandrina, focused in his presentation on the impact of water scarcity on social development. He stressed the strong relationship between water availability and water management and poverty.
  • Professor Theodor Hsiao, from University of California, Davis, presented a paper on water-use efficiency and potential improvements in plant performance. He highlighted ways that could substantially increase water productivity.
  • Dr Iwao Kobori, Vice-Chairperson of UNU and former ICARDA Board member, spoke about indigenous techniques suitable under conditions of extreme water scarcity.
  • Dr Jean-Marc Faures, from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, presented his views on how to overcome the problems of the most vulnerable groups suffering limited access to water resources.
  • Dr Zafar Adeel, from UNU, offered approaches to dealing with water management in drylands.
  • Dr Theib Oweis, Senior Irrigation and Water Management Scientist at ICARDA, presented the Center's achievements in developing technologies to sustainably maximize water productivity based on water management, cropping systems, agro-management, and breeding.
    The workshop concluded that water scarcity is acute and that food security, livelihoods, socioeconomic development, and the environment are threatened in many places in the dry areas. Yet potential new sources of water are limited. Because agriculture accounts for most of the water used, participants concluded that efforts to alleviate the effects of water scarcity should focus on increasing water productivity in agriculture. Research to develop water-efficient technologies, varieties, management tools, and approaches was deemed vital.
    The workshop emphasized the integrated nature of water management and the need for increased participation of farmers in decision-making regarding water allocation and management. Participants called upon countries to develop policies and adopt measures to cope with rising scarcity.

World Bank Workshop
ICARDA also participated in the World Bank-led workshop on "Water, Agricultural Policies and Food Security," dedicated to the Middle East and Mediterranean Region.
    Dr Oweis gave a presentation on water and agricultural productivity, reflecting the theme "more food with less water." The Director General participated in the session and the discussion that followed on water scarcity, and cited ICARDA's role in developing solutions. Dr Ahmed Goueli, Secretary-General of the Council of Arab Economic Unity, chaired the session and led the discussion.

CGIAR Initiative
Dr Oweis chaired a session on the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research Systemwide Initiative on Water, now called the Comprehensive Assessment. The session attracted many participants and inspired much lively discussion.

ICARDA's (www.icarda.org) mission is to improve the welfare of people and alleviate poverty through research and training in dry areas of the developing world by increasing production, productivity, and nutritional quality of food, while preserving and enhancing the natural resource base. ICARDA is a Future Harvest Center.
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