IFAD-ICARDA collaborations across the Arabian Peninsula

An ICARDA delegation recently held a high-level meeting with officials from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), including the Fund’s President, Kanayo F. Nwanze, to discuss on-going collaborations and support to ICARDA’s on-going research for development activities. 

 

Held in Abu Dhabi, much of the focus was on initiatives in the Arabian Peninsula: protected agriculture and soilless technology packages; the production of water-efficient forage crops such as buffel grass; and the integrated management of rangelands.

 

Of particular importance to both ICARDA and IFAD were ongoing and planned activities in Yemen, which is currently suffering from a period of instability that threatens the country’s agricultural sector. ICARDA is involved in the design and implementation of a new IFAD-funded project in Yemen, which targets the strengthening of integrated production systems as a means of improving food security and sustainable natural resource management. 

 

The key components of the initiative include: the dissemination and adoption of technology packages – including soilless agriculture and integrated pest management; detailed research and impact assessments; and capacity building and institutional strengthening. 

 

IFAD delegates were also briefed on ICARDA’s on-going strategic decentralization, and further discussions focused on the importance of IFAD-funded projects to enhance south-south collaboration and regional integration. IFAD is initiating its south-south collaboration through the provision of funding, training, management and technological systems.