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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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Strengthening
partnerships in India
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Legume improvement, India is ICARDA's pulses research hub for South Asia; and IARI is a key partner in evaluation and development of lentil, kabuli chickpea and faba bean materials. Dr S.A. Patil, Director of IARI, suggested a new partnership, whereby MSc and PhD students from IARI could conduct their thesis research at ICARDA. Dr K.V. Prabhu, Head of IARI's Genetics Division, noted that ICARDA had supplied a wide range of nurseries to IARI, including segregating populations for short-season environments. Dr Solh visited field experiments in lentil, chickpea and pea. A number of genotypes developed from ICARDA-supplied materials are in advanced testing, e.g. early-maturing, large-seeded chickpea varieties (duration <130 days, 100-seed mass >40g) suitable for cultivation in rice fallows, and for the short winter season in eastern and southern India. Dr Solh reaffirmed ICARDA's commitment to assist pulse improvement programs across South Asia.
Biodiversity conservation. The NBPGR is one of the world's largest genebanks, with over 400,000 accessions – including a 'black box' reserve of 7700 lentil accessions from ICARDA. Dr S.K. Sharma, Director of NBPGR, expressed his willingness to work with ICARDA on broadening the genetic base of lentil, and on the use of FIGS (Focused Identification of Germplasm Strategy) to develop reference collections in lentil and barley. India reiterates support for ICARDA. Dr Mangala Rai, Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education and Director General, ICAR, visited ICARDA’s South Asia office in New Delhi, to meet with Dr Solh and others. Dr Solh expressed ICARDA's appreciation for the strong support provided by the Indian government and ICAR. He also emphasized the importance of scaling out collaboration, using Indian expertise for the benefit of other countries in South Asia. Dr Rai assured the continuation of India's support. He reiterated ICAR's interest in working with ICARDA on research-for-development initiatives in South Asia. Specifically, he envisioned greater Indian participation in the proposed CGIAR Mega-Program on food legumes; creation of a pulses network for South Asia; and joint development of regional nurseries. Both institutions will explore funding opportunities from ICAR's National Agricultural Innovation Project. |
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.