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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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Watershed
Development Project Launched in Pakistan
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| A major
new integrated watershed management project funded by the Austrian
government and implemented by ICARDA and national partners, was launched
during a meeting in Islamabad, Pakistan, 29-31 May. The 'Integrated Watershed Development for Food Security and Sustainable Improvement of Livelihood in Barani, Pakistan (FoodWADI)' Project Launch Workshop was attended by senior officials including the Member of Planning, Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock; Vice Chancellor, University of Arid Agriculture, Rawalpindi; Member of Crop Sciences, Pakistan Agriculture Research Council; Director General, Agency for Barani Area Development; Director General, Arid Zone Research Centre; and scientists from eight research, development and community development organizations.
The participants expressed their appreciation for ICARDA's support to agricultural development in Pakistan, and stressed that the new project was vitally important for the Barani environment. The participants visited the watershed that will potentially be targeted by the project, and interacted with the local community representatives who reiterated their full support to the project. A multidisciplinary technical committee was set up at the workshop to monitor project progress. ICARDA also signed an agreement with the University of Arid Agriculture, Rawalpindi, for collaboration on three projects: integrated watershed management, production of livestock feed, and rehabilitation of women's livelihoods. |
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.