In the September issue of its newsletter, the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) describes the launch of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) Research Program on Dryland Systems in South Asia.
5 September 2013: In the September issue of its newsletter, the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) describes the launch of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) Research Program on Dryland Systems in South Asia.
The regional implementation workshop in Kathmandu, Nepal, mapped out a series of activities to reduce vulnerability and increase production at dry area sites in Rajasthan, Southern India, and Chakwal, Pakistan. The workshop follows regional workshops held in Tunisia, Ghana and Uzbekistan.
The newsletter also describes training on seed distribution and certification schemes held in Egypt that promote the flow of new seed varieties to local companies and farmers. The training worked with participants on technical and administrative skills to oversee seed supply and quality control systems.
In addition, the newsletter describes a project in Uzbekistan to promote wild pollinators of cucumber plants and cherry trees. The approach will examine pollination solutions that are adapted to climate change impacts, as well as common threats to wild pollinators, such as monoculture, pesticides and landscape fragmentation. [ICARDA Newsletter Issue 35]