WHO WE ARE

Capacity development lies at the heart of ICARDA’s mission to strengthen agricultural resilience. We target individuals and institutions and equip them with the knowledge and skills they need to address critical issues and challenges.

We support scientists, for instance, to advance productivity through the development of drought tolerant, disease resistant, and nutritious crop varieties, as well as the application of new animal husbandry techniques, livestock vaccines, and drugs. The Center also targets climate change adaptation and improved water and land management.

ICARDA’s Capacity Development Unit (CDU) prioritizes the inclusion of a wide range of actors involved in agricultural development: local, regional, and international NGOs and authorities; agricultural researchers; students; farmers; and National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS).

Capacity strengthening takes the form of: regional and national training courses, on-the-job training, individual degree and non-degree scholarships, and internships. Each promotes the use of proven agricultural tools and technologies that connect innovations in agricultural research to smallholder farmers.

Agricultural research for development (AR4D) and the generation and dissemination of agricultural innovations are vital to transformative change - in agricultural productivity and the dietary diversity needed to meet rising global demand for nutritious and safe food for the poor and food insecure.

Development-oriented research is also essential to understand - and propose responses to – emerging global threats to agricultural research for development and food security, particularly climate change, resource scarcity, food price volatility, and falling incomes.

Reference: CGIAR Capacity Development Strategy

CDU Contacts:

For requests and offers: 

Charles Kleinermann (Mr.) - Head of Capacity Development Unit

Email: C.kleinermann[at]cgiar.org

For enquiries on capacity development activities: 

Masafumi Tamura (Mr.) - Technical Training Officer

Email: m.tamura[at]cgiar.org

Bastian Mueller (Mr.) - Technical E-Learning - Communication Training Officer

Email: b.mueller[at]cgiar.org