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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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Japan
and ICARDA Join Forces to Develop a Dryland
Agriculture Strategy for West Asia |
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The Japan
International Research Center for Agricultural Science (JIRCAS) organized
a workshop on "Research and Development for Sustainable Dryland
Agriculture in West Asia" on 13 December 2005, at its headquarters
in Tsukuba, Japan.
At the workshop, Drs T. Oweis and M. Nachit from ICARDA made presentations on “Rainwater Harvesting Systems in West Asia and North Africa” and “Genetic Improvement of Drought Tolerance in Wheat,” respectively. Dr S. N. Hariq of the Research Department, Afghanistan, made a presentation on “Rehabilitation of Agriculture in Afghanistan.” Drs M. Inagaki and T. Inoue from ICARDA were also present as members of the workshop organizing committee. The following day, a seminar jointly organized by Hokkaido University and JIRCAS on “Root Improvement for Dryland Agriculture: Current Problems and Solutions” was held at JIRCAS with three lectures from scientists from IRRI, ICRISAT, and CSIRO. These meetings brought together more than 60 participants from Japanese universities, research institutes, and NP organizations, and provided an excellent opportunity for the partcipants to exchange information and experience in dryland agriculture. The workshop was a part of an initiative from JIRCAS, with funding from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries/Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Research Council of Japan (MAFF/AFFRC), to conduct a “Strategic Study on Sustainable Production in Dryland Agriculture of West Asia,” in collaboration with the Hokkaido University, Japan, and ICARDA. In line with the objectives of this initiative, the workshop reviewed the current situation, constraints and possible collaboration to reinforce research and development activities for sustainable dryland agriculture in West Asia, which could contribute to the rehabilitation of agriculture and agricultural research in the region, particularly in the countries affected by conflict. The final report of the feasibility study will be submitted to MAFF by March 2006. In 2003, the MAFF/AFFRC of Japan developed a document on “Promotion Policy for International Agricultural Research,” reflecting the reoriented ODA policy of the Government of Japan. Under this policy, MAFF/AFFRC initiated a Japan-CGIAR fellowship program for young, promising Japanese professionals as part of human resource development. ICARDA hosted three fellows last year, and is hosting two this year. MAFF/AFFRC has also recently invited competitive grant proposals for feasibility studies on global constraints, including protection of the environment and food safety, which will further promote international collaboration in research and development. For more information contact: Dr Theib Oweis |
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.