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
22 June 2006
                             Media contact: Surendra Varma (s.varma@CGIAR.ORG)
 
A 'Technology Market' in the Olive Mountains of Afrin
Farmers selecting technologies of their interest in a ‘technology market’ organized by ICARDA in collaboration with the Syrian extension department in Khaltan village.
In order to address the severe land degradation in hilly olive orchards of Afrin in Syria, a dual strategy has been adopted by ICARDA in a pilot study. On one hand, simple soil conservation technologies selected by farmers are being tested with interested volunteer farmers. This approach can be described as participatory technology development (PTD). On the other hand, ICARDA has assisted Khaltan village to obtain a small grant from GEF (UNDP) in order to enable outscaling of soil conservation options. This grant will provide micro-credit to farmers to enable them to implement soil conservation options of their choice. It is expected that this strategy will lead to an effective research-development synergy.

On 5 May, a 'technology market' was organized at the square of Khaltan village by the Khaltan village committee, an extension of the Afrin and ICARDA Desertification Program. The objective was to expose the community to possible options for soil conservation. Innovative farmers were invited from around Afrin area who are testing technologies by themselves or in cooperation with ICARDA. Fifteen technologies were presented by means of posters and pictures. All villagers were invited to ‘shop’ for options valuable for them. If they had questions, they could ask the expert farmers for more explanation, while the ‘shoppers’ could write their positive or negative feedback on the posters. Most farmers indicated that they gained new knowledge on soil conservation. Within the next month, they will be able to request micro-credit to implement some of the options chosen by them. A group of traditional Kurdish musicians and dancers gave an additional festive flavor to the event.


For more information contact: Dr Francis Turkelboom
  

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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