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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
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icarda-media@cgiar.org
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Strengthening
Agricultural Extension in Iraq
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Iraq rebuilds after war, ICARDA and its partners are contributing
skills and resources to help re-establish the national agricultural
research and development system. These efforts have involved a number
of national and international partners working closely together. One
example is the training workshop on 'Developing On-Farm Demonstrations
and Variety Trials', held at ICARDA headquarters, 5-12 January. The workshop was initiated and led by experts from Washington State University (WSU), USA. It is the second in a series planned by the IAER (Iraq Agricultural Extension Training) Project, a consortium of US universities, funded by the US Department of Agriculture. ICARDA is a key partner in these efforts, by virtue of its long R&D experience in Iraq, its geographical location, and the facilities available. The training workshop attracted 38 participants from Iraq. It combined classroom lectures with hands-on training and field visits. There were four resource persons from WSU. The workshop was opened by Dr Ahmed Sidahmed, Acting Director of ICARDA's DSIPS and Training programs; and Dr Chris Pannkuk, Director of International Programs, Research & Development at WSU. Dr Sidahmed provided an overview of ICARDA’s work in Iraq, and the Center’s long-standing ties with the national research program. Dr Pankkuk commended the ICARDA-Iraq partnership, which he said had contributed to the rebuilding of the country’s agricultural sytem. He also noted the strong synergies between IAER partners, and how these could be used to contribute effectively to further build national capacity. At the closing session, representatives of the participants thanked ICARDA and its partners for their support to the national effort. "This workshop taught us many new skills... and we will now try and apply these skills to improve extension, and promote adoption of new farming technologies in Iraq." |
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.