ICARDA annual report 2004

Participants of the “12th Jordan/ICARDA Biennial Coordination Meeting,” Jordan, 12-
13 September 2004.
in genetic resources, agrobiodiversity
and germplasm enhancement
was discussed. The meeting also
discussed future collaborative
work, especially within the context
of ICARDA’s new research thrusts.
Within the framework of the
dryland agrobiodiversity and
IRDEN projects, a regional workshop
on “Community Participatory
Approaches” was held in July in
Amman, Jordan,. The workshop
attracted 23 participants from the
agrobiodiversity project components
of Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine,
and Syria; the Turkish and Syrian
components of the IRDEN project;
and the Jordanian teams of the
Badia Benchmark and “Vallerani”
water harvesting projects.
The participants shared experience
in applying community participation
approaches within the respective
projects. A logical framework
for effective community participation
and empowerment approaches
was also developed. The Dryland
Agrobiodiversity Project organized a
workshop on “Seed Production and
Health” in Amman, Jordan, in
October. Facilitated by ICARDA scientists,
the workshop attracted 17
participants from Jordan, Lebanon,
Palestine, and Syria.
The sixth Regional Steering
Committee Meeting of the Dryland
Agrobiodiversity Project was held
at the headquarters of the General
Commission for Scientific
Agricultural Research in Damascus,
Syria, in November 2004. The
achievements of the project were
noted, and a recommendation was
made to document lessons learnt
for the benefit of similar future
projects.
A delegation of high-ranking
officials from northern Iraq visited
ICARDA on 6-8 April 2004 to identify
areas for collaboration in
rebuilding agricultural research
and human resources. Led by Mr
Anwar Ahmed, Program Officer,
Office of Project Coordination
(OPC), the delegation consisted of
Mr Ali Mohamed Ameen, Director
General, Agricultural Research,
Extension and Training in Erbil; Dr
Nariman Haweiz, Director General,
Veterinary and Animal Production;
and Mr Bahjat Mohamed, Director,
Dohuk Research Station.
The delegation held meetings
with the members of ICARDA senior
management and the scientists
in the Germplasm Program,
Natural Resources Management
Program, Human Resources
Development Unit, Genetic
Resources Unit, Computer and
Biometrics Services Unit, Seed Unit,
and Station Operations.
International Cooperation
The following areas were identified
for collaboration: (i) human
resource development and capacity
building, including degree-oriented
training, and short-term training at
ICARDA headquarters as well as in
northern Iraq, (ii) organization of
study tours in areas of mutual
interest, (iii) participation in some
of the regional and international
scientific conferences, workshops
and meetings coordinated by
ICARDA, (iv) exchange of adapted
germplasm and improved varieties
for testing in the northern Iraq
environment, (v) establishment of
on-farm and on-station verification
and demonstration trials, (vi) assistance
in organizing farmer field
days and schools to strengthen the
extension sector, (vii) exchange of
visits by Iraqi and ICARDA scientists,
and (viii) exchange of publications
and other information
material.
The delegation members pointed
out that irrigation, particularly
supplemental irrigation, is one of
their top priorities, and will receive
a major share of financial allocation
for research for development.
Animal feeding, rangeland, and
fodder crops are some of the other
priority areas.
The delegation members and
ICARDA scientists jointly developed
a draft proposal for the implementation
of collaborative research
and training activities in northern
Iraq.
A memorandum of partnership
between the Agricultural Education
and Development Project
(AHEAD), College of Tropical
Agriculture and Human Resources,
University of Hawaii, Manoa, and
ICARDA was signed on 9 May
2004. The AHEAD Project is funded
by a grant from USAID and
activities include: four workshops/seminars
in early 2005, and
support to four Iraqi visiting scientists
and four PhD students.
ICARDA Annual Report 2004
75