ICARDA Report on Research Programs 1979-1980

ICARDA, established on January 1, 1977, focuses on enhancing food quality and availability in the West Asia-North Africa region, which has a population of 300 million. The Center aims to improve rainfed agricultural systems in an area with annual rainfall between 200 mm and 600 mm, where cool winters quickly transition to hot conditions. This region, spanning from Morocco to Pakistan and Turkey to Sudan, faces food shortages that lead to economic challenges. ICARDA is committed to increasing agricultural production through technology transfer and collaboration with local programs, particularly in the improvement of crops like barley, lentils, faba beans, wheat, triticale, and chickpeas, as well as developing better forage and rangeland systems.