ICARDA annual report 2004

Foreword
In 2004, ICARDA began strategic visioning, driven by the global focus on achieving the
Millennium Development Goals and the realignment of the CGIAR System priorities by the
Science Council. It involved, among other actions, a consolidation of the 19 research projects
into six mega-projects for better integration of the Center’s multidisciplinary teams, and an
increased use of new tools of science in addressing the problems of poverty and degradation
of natural resources. The new, poverty-focused research portfolio, scheduled to be
implemented from 1 January 2005, encompasses a number of new avenues including
improved income generation from high-value crops and adding value to staple crop and
livestock products; rehabilitating agriculture in countries affected by conflict; and closer
alignment of agricultural research with mainstream development programs through research-fordevelopment
applications.
Implementation of research projects under the Challenge Program on Water and Food got
off to a good start, with activities in Eritrea on barley improvement and in the Kerkheh river
basin in Iran on water productivity. In addition, ICARDA continued to play a leading role in
international fora on issues related to the development of agriculture in dry areas.
Working with ICARDA, at least 13 countries released more than 35 improved cereal and
food and feed legume varieties in 2004. The key traits of the improved varieties include better
yields, resistance to pests and diseases, and tolerance to cold and drought.
ICARDA continued its work to rebuild agricultural systems in Afghanistan. During the year,
under the Research in Alternative Livelihoods Fund (RALF) projects, supported by DFID
(Department for International Development, UK), the Center started work on developing and
promoting innovative alternative livelihood options for rural Afghans who are currently
economically dependent on opium poppy. The Center also strengthened its activities on
technology transfer, established village-based seed enterprises, and introduced protected
agriculture in Afghanistan under the Rebuilding Agricultural Markets in Afghanistan (RAMP)
program, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
The Center was privileged to host the inaugural meeting of the CGIAR Science Council, and
the annual meetings of the CGIAR Center Board Chairs Committee (CBC), and Center Directors
Committee (CDC) in May 2004.
ICARDA enters 2005 with a sharpened focus on contributing to the Millennium
Development Goals, especially halving poverty and hunger by 2015. The Center’s Board of
Trustees, Management and Staff thank all of ICARDA’s donors and partners for their continued
support, without which the activities and achievements summarized in this Annual Report
would not have been possible.
Margaret Catley-Carlson Adel El-Beltagy
Chair, Board of Trustees Director General