Director General Visits Yemen, Meets Prime Minister, Senior Government Officials

CARDA Director General, Prof. Dr Adel El-Beltagy, visited the Republic of Yemen, 8 to 12 June 1998. He met the Prime Minister, H.E. Dr Abdul Kareem Al-Iryani; Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr Abdul Kader M. Bajamal; Minister of Planning, H.E. Mr Ahmed Sofan; Minister of Agriculture, H.E. Mr Ahmed Salem Al-Jabali; and a number of other distinguished officials.
     On his return to Syria, Prof. Dr El-Beltagy commented that "Yemen is an important country from ICARDA's point of view. Per capita income is low, and the environment both harsh and diverse. But there has been progress in agricultural research

and development and ICARDA's contribution in this regard is important. I am glad that our collaboration with Yemen is growing."
     Besides meeting with high-ranking officials of the Government, his program included visits to agricultural research facilities in Sana'a and Dhamar and on-farm research sites in the northern highlands. Accompanied by Drs S.V.R. Shetty and Mohamed Zainul Abedin of the ICARDA Yemen office, and the senior officials of the Ministry of Agriculture and AREA (Agricultural Research and Extension Authority), he also visited the officials of the World Bank, FAO, UNDP and the University of Sana'a.
Prof. Dr El-Beltagy briefed the

Prime Minister on ICARDA's work and role in improving the productivity of crops and the quality of life of the rural population, and conserving agricultural resources. The Prime Minister extended his Government's support to ICARDA activities in Yemen and called for more effort by agricultural research systems in improving food production, and conserving natural resources.
      In the meetings with Ministers of Agriculture, Foreign Affairs, and Planning, the discussions covered the progress made in increasing food production, the role of agricultural research in development, the problems in rainfed agriculture, the on-going cooperation between Yemen and ICARDA, and the role of

ICARDA in the development of future national agricultural research programs. The Ministers expressed  satisfaction over the existing cooperation and thanked ICARDA for its contribution to the agricultural development in Yemen.
      During the discussions with the representatives of the World Bank, FAO, and UNDP, ways were discussed to strengthen AREA and the Yemen national program for meeting future challenges in food security, resource conservation (particularly water) and alleviating poverty.
      During the field visit to Al-Mahweet area, discussions were held with farmers and extension agents on the Rapid Impact Pro-

gram activities implemented by AREA/ICARDA. During this visit it was decided that, in addition to its existing office in Dhamar,
ICARDA would soon establish an office in Sana'a to be in close contact with the Government offices, international organizations, and donors working on agricultural development in Yemen.