 |
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
|
||
|
Media
contact: Surendra Varma (s.varma@CGIAR.ORG),
Ravi R. Prasad (r.prasad@cgiar.org)
|
|||
|
Workshop
on Microcatchment Water Harvesting
|
|||
Dr Theib Oweis, Director of ICARDA's Integrated Water and Land Management Program (IWLMP), in his welcome address, stressed the importance of mechanized microcatchment water harvesting for rangeland rehabilitation. He also highlighted the project's integ-rated, multidisciplinary approach, focusing on livelihood security and conservation of natural resources. Dr Khaled Zubaidi, the Project Coordinator from Jordan, representing the Director General of the National Center for Agricultural Research and Extension, noted the importance of the badia for people's livelihoods. He commended the project for building a good knowledge base and efficient teams to manage it sustainably. Prof. Jil Ducommun from Switzerland said the project clearly demonstrated the usefulness of the Vallerani implement in water-harvesting for range rehabilitation. Mr Venanzio Vallerani, the inventor of the implement, said he was happy it was being successfully used in combating desertification in different parts of the world. Dr Majd Jamal, Director General, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research, Syria, and member of ICARDA's Board of Trustees, said the project had shown the pathway for rehabilitation of badia areas, which occupy more than 60% of the country. It had also played a vital role in building national capacity to manage this fragile ecosystem. Dr Ahmed El-Ahmed, ICARDA Assistant Director General, welcomed the participants on behalf of the Director General. He said the project not only addressed ecological issues, but also contributed significantly to the socioeconomic development of communities. Project Coordinator Dr Akhtar Ali, Water Resources Engineer at ICARDA, introduced the theme of the workshop and summarized the achievements of the last three years. He also highlighted the usefulness of the holistic, integrated approach for addressing ecological and livelihoods issues in marginal drylands. Over 40 scientists, extension staff, development specialists and farmers from 11 countries – Germany, India, Iraq, Italy, Jordan, Morocco, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Sudan, Switzerland and Syria – participated in the workshop. The delegates developed concrete recommendations for sustainable use and management of rainwater in marginal dryland ecosystems using a participatory approach. |
About
ICARDA: Established in 1977, ICARDA (www.icarda.org) is one of the 15
international research centers supported by the Consultative Group on
International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). ICARDA 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.