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
21 September 2006
                             Media contact: Surendra Varma (s.varma@CGIAR.ORG)
 
Turkmenistan Minister of Agriculture Commends
Collaboration with ICARDA
H.E. Mr Esenmurat Orazgeldiev (second from right), Minister of Agriculture, Turkmenistan; Mr Atagarriev (right), Deputy Minister of Agriculture; Dr Saparmuradov (left), ICARDA's Focal Point and Head of Science Department at the Ministry of Agriculture, Turkmenistan; and Dr Raj Paroda.
During his visit to Turkmenistan, 11-13 September, Dr Raj Paroda, ICARDA-CAC Regional Coordinator, and Head, PFU-CGIAR, met with H.E. Mr Esenmurat Orazgeldiev, Minister of Agriculture.

Thanking the Minister for supporting the on-going collaboration between ICARDA and Turkmenistan, Dr Paroda updated him on the progress of the joint activities on conservation agriculture, crop diversification, salinity management, water saving technologies, and human resource development. He urged him to follow-up on the Agreement of Cooperation between ICARDA and his Ministry for approval by the Government of Turkmenistan to further strengthen the collaboration.

The Minister expressed satisfaction with the increasing cooperation between Turkmenistan and ICARDA and other international centers. He was particularly happy about the germplasm enhancement and seed development activities, which have resulted in the release of new varieties. He said Turkmenistan was planning to strengthen cooperation with ICARDA in seed production, and that the Turkmen Government has sent a request to FAO for support. He expressed appreciation for ICARDA's support in establishing the Turkmen National Genebank in 2005, "which will serve both present and future generations." He promised to secure official approval for the agreement, and to visit ICARDA headquarters to participate in the 2007 Presentation Day.
   

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.
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