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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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Research
Needs Assessment in Central Asia and the Caucasus
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Dr Mahmoud
Solh, ICARDA Director General, visited Tashkent, Uzbekistan, 5-9 March.
This was his first visit in his new capacity; and his schedule was
packed: he delivered a lecture at Tashkent Agrarian University, opened
the ICARDA Room at the University, participated in two regional meetings,
and met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan and NARS
leaders from the Central Asia and the Caucasus (CAC) region.
Meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Solh met with Mr Vladimir Norov, Minister of Foreign Affairs, on 6 March. The Minister was very appreciative of ICARDA's activities in Uzbekistan and sought increased support from ICARDA and other CGIAR Centers. He was particularly appreciative of the CAC Consortium and the leadership provided by Dr Paroda for the CAC partnership. Expert Consultation on Regional Research Needs Assessment An Expert Consultation on Regional Research Needs Assessment was held in Tashkent, 7-9 March. There were over 70 participants, including NARS leaders, government officials, UNCCD Focal Points in Central Asia; and representatives of CGIAR centers, universities, NGOs and farmer organizations. Representatives of international organizations and regional fora (GFAR, FAO, IFPRI-ISNAR, APAARI, AARINENA) described their experiences in priority setting, providing insights relevant and valuable to the CAC region. NARS heads from all eight CAC countries delivered reports on priorities for agricultural research at national and regional levels. The meeting sought to revisit current research priorities in light of these discussions. A series of brainstorming sessions provided useful recommendations in three areas: management of genetic resources, management of natural resources, and socioeconomics, policy and capacity building. Lecture at Tashkent Agrarian University Dr Solh was invited to deliver a special lecture on 'The Role of ICARDA in Central Asia and the Caucasus' at the famous Tashkent Agrarian University. The 100-plus audience included senior faculty members, government representatives, graduate and postgraduate students of the University, and staff from CGIAR centers. Dr Solh spoke about ICARDA and its work, globally and in the CAC region. Dr Khujamurat Kimsanbaev, Rector of the University, noted that ICARDA was playing a vital role in training young agricultural scientists from the region; and hoped this cooperation would be further strengthened. The University presented Certificates of Honor to Dr Solh and Dr Raj Paroda, Regional Coordinator, ICARDA-CAC and Head, PFU-CGIAR for "strengthening the scientific links of the National System of Agricultural Research with International Agricultural Research Centers, deepening the integration of agricultural education, science and production, and immense contribution towards capacity building of agricultural researchers of Uzbekistan".
Review Meeting on Soil and Water Management A meeting was held in Tashkent on 6 March to review the research findings of the ADB Project on Soil and Water Management and its linkages to CACILM (Central Asian Countries Initiative for Land Management). This is the first regional project funded by any donor organization on natural resource management in Central Asia. Various speakers presented research findings from the three years of project implementation - highlighting the new resource-efficient, cost-effective technologies developed, as well as the need for further research and out-scaling. A presentation by Dr Paroda on 'Possible Linkages to CACILM' summarized the major issues, opportunities, and immediate actions needed, and served as the basis for discussion at the meeting. The UNCCD Focal Points for Central Asian countries supported the suggestions and new proposals to be developed under CACILM, and expressed a strong desire for cooperation within the framework of CACILM for out-scaling available technologies. |
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.