The document discusses challenges facing dryland areas and opportunities for research and innovation to address these challenges. It presents ICARDA's new strategy for 2017-2026, which aims to develop science-based solutions for thriving and resilient drylands through innovative research. The strategy focuses on five strategic research outcomes: preserving agricultural biodiversity; improving drought-resistant crops; integrated dryland farming systems; sustainable natural resource management; and developing value chains and off-farm activities. ICARDA will work with partners to conduct cutting-edge science and translate research into impacts through strategic partnerships and capacity development.

1. Science-based solutions for thriving, resilient
livelihoods in the dry areas
Mediterranean Innovation Partnership Network for
Youth and Entrepreneurship and Technology
Transfer in Agro-food Sector: The Role of Research
and Innovation Systems
Presented by:
K. Shideed, ADG-ICC, ICARDA
18-19 Jan 2018, CIHEAM- BAri

2. 2
PRESENTATION OUTLINE
 Why the dry areas (non-tropical)
matter?
 Challenges and opportunities for
research and science
 New ICARDA Strategy 2017- 2026
for Scientific Rigor and Excellence
to spur Agricultural Development in
the Dry Areas

3. 3
WHY THE DRY AREAS MATTER?

4. 4
CHALLENGES FACED IN DRY AREAS
 Climate change
 Poverty and equity issues
 Land degradation and desertification
 Water scarcity
 Political instability and conflict
 Global food trade and yield gaps
 Loss of agro biodiversity
 Population growth and rapid
urbanization

5. 5
DRY AREAS AND CLIMATE CHANGE

6. 6
IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON CROP YIELDS
World Bank Development Report,
2010.

7. 7
LAND DEGRADATION

8. 8
Impact of Climate Change on Food Production (Case of Wheat)

9. Middle East
and North
AfricaIraq, Libya, Syrian
Arab Republic, West
Bank and Gaza Strip,
Yemen
Europe and
Central Asia
Bosnia and
Herzegovina, Kosovo
Sub-Saharan
AfricaBurundi, Cameron, Central African Republic,
Chand, Comoros, Congo, Cote d’Ivoire,
Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea,
Ethiopia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Kenya, Liberia,
Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Niger,
Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South
Sudan, Sudan, Togo, Uganda, Zimbabwe
South Asia
Afghanistan,
Bangladesh,
Pakistan, Nepal, Sri
Lanka
Latin America
and the
CaribbeanHaiti
East Asia and
PacificDemocratic People’s Republic
of Korea, Kiribati, Marshall
Islands, Micronesia, Myanmar,
Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste,
Tuvalu
FRAGILE STATES &ECONOMIES MOSTLY FOUND IN DRY AREAS
50 countries listed a fragile
countries and economies.
These countries are home to
43% of poor people.
ICARDA has been collaborating
– for many years- with at least
20 fragile countries in the
MENA, South Asia and Sub-
Saharan Africa regions.
Data Sources: OECD,
2015; World Bank Fund
for Peace; ICARDA, 2016

10. 10
OPPORTUNITIES FOR SHAPING DEVELOPMENT IN DRY AREAS
Science research opportunities
ICARDA’s solid network of partnerships for
impact and unique experience

11. 11
NEW ICARDA STRATEGY 2017-2026
Science-based solutions for thriving and resilient
drylands.
Thriving and resilient livelihoods in dry areas of the
developing world with robust incomes, secure access
to food, markets, nutrition & health, & the capacity to
manage natural resources in equitable, sustainable,
innovative ways.
Our Mission
To reduce poverty, food and nutritional insecurity and
environmental degradation in the face of climate
change.
We will seek:
• innovative science-based solutions for improving
the livelihoods and resilience of the resource-poor
in non-tropical drylands in order to reduce poverty,
enhance food, nutrition, and water security, through
the sustainable management of natural resources in
the face of climate change.
• cutting-edge science, strategic partnerships and
capacity development for inclusive and equitable
growth.
Our Vision

12. SDGsCGIAR
SLOs
OURRESEARCH
5
SRATEGIC
RESEARCH
OUTCOMES
(SRO)
4
CROSS-
CUTTING
OUTCOMES
(CCO)
SRP2. Improved
and resilient
crops for greater
food security in
face of climate
change and
market
volatilities.
SRP3.
Develop
integrated
drylands farming
systems for
improved and
resilient
livelihoods.
SRP5: Support
sustainable use
and management
of water and land
resources in
drylands.
SRP1.
Preserve and
protect
agricultural
biodiversity in
drylands in order to
meet future climate
and market related
challenges.
REDUCED
POVERTY
FOOD &
NUTRITION
SECURITY
SUSTAINABLE
MANAGEMENT
OF NATURAL
RESOURCES
Climate Change
Adaptation & Mitigation Gender Equity & Youth Big Data & ICT
Taking Research to Scale – Partnerships for Impact
SRP4.
Support the
establishment of
functional value
chains and viable off-
farm activities for
diversified incomes
and improved
livelihoods in drylands.
Capacity Development

13. 13
• Respond to current and future challenges in
drylands of the developing world, and in
particular ICARDA’s traditional sphere of
operation in the MENA region – the global
challenges are manifested in the MENA
• Respond to NARS needs and priorities that
emerged from consultations
• Align with CGIAR SRF and SDGs Agenda
• Consultation with partners, donors, CG
Centers and staff.
• Activities that are core to our business and
likely to produce greatest impact.
• Leverage ICARDA’s strengths and
comparative advantages.
HOW DID WE ARRIVE AT THESE RESEARCH PRIORITIES?

14. Partnerships along the Impact Pathway of Ag. R-4-D
Research
inputs or
activities
Research
Outputs
Outcomes
(Adoption or
use of outputs)
Social, Economic,
or Environmental
Impacts
AR4D Project Interventions
Research Process Process of agricultural
innovation (Diffusion
/dissemination)
Process of agricultural
development
RESEARCH PARTNERS DEVELOPMENTAL PARTNERS

15. Impact Pathway of Agriculture Research for Development
(Raised-bed in Egypt)
IFAD, AFESD, OFID
2004 2006
ARC
ICARDA
Farmers
University
Raisedbed
Technology
Outputs
2010
AFESD
2014
AFESD+ KFAED+ IsDB+ OFID
USAID (on RBM)
Outcomes
Adoption of
MRB at
governorate
level (Al-
Sharkia)
18% of wheat
Area
•Yield increased
•Water saving
•Seed rate reduction
•Water productivity
increase
2016
NWC+ AFESD+ KFAED+ GATES
Foundation+ OFID + FAO
Large Scale
dissemination
to 22
governorates
120, 000 ha
Impact
•Food Security
•Water saving
(national)
•Farm income
increase
Research Process Innovation Process Development Process
Mechanization of RB
ARC
Zagazik Univ
ICARDA
Private Sector
Farmers
Scaling out to
other countries
Research

16. 3 Methodologies
Proximity
(Mass dissemination)
Farmers Fields
Schools
(Group of Farmers)
Platforms
(Leader farmer +
satellite/cluster farmers)
Recomm
ended
Package
Dissemination Methodologies

17. Recommended
Package Dissemination
recommended package
Mass Dissemination Methodology
On-farm verification yield trials
Field Demonstration
Selection based on less
producing fields
2010/2011 2011/2012
Demonstration Fields 115 250
Farmers 1000 2500

18. Farmers-group
Leader and satellite farmers
disseminate innovations
Regular meeting in fields
Discuss and take economical
decisions about the best crop
managemrnt practices
•Dissemination of
recommended package at
satellite fields
Cluster Dissemination Methodology
Field Demonstration
Field demonstrations of (CA)
2010/2011 2011/2012
Fields demonstration 12 132
Farmers 511 1800

19.  Fernana (Rainfed conditions)
6
6
 Chebika (Irrigated conditions)

20. Dissemination Methodologies
Mass Platform Cluster
Depend on Existing Regional
Extension Staff
Identification of dissemination methodology

21. SMS
Direct Linkage
Indirect Linkage
Field days
Meeting
Field visit & Traveling
Workshops
Field
Demonstration
Leaflets
Internet
Dissemination Tools

22. *** R: Rainfed, SI: Supplemental Irrigation, I: Full irrigation
GRAIN WHEAT YIELD (T/HA) OBTAINED IN THE DEMONSTRATION FIELDS VERSUS FARMERS’ FIELDS
AVERAGE OF 2016/2017 SEASON)
ARAB FOOD SECURITY PROJECT
Country Egypt Iraq Jordan Morocco Palestine Sudan Syria Tunisia Yemen
Overall
mean
Production system **** I I R SI R R I R SI R SI SI
Improved practices 9.27 4.29 2.39 6.19 3.21 1.91 4.45 2.53 5.03 2.69 4.74 3.58 4.19
Farmers’ practices 7.67 3.77 1.99 5.18 2.63 1.69 2.98 2.09 4.71 2.10 3.60 2.72 3.43
Average increase (%) 21 14 20 19 22 13 49 21 7 28 32 32 22
Maximum yield 9.64 5.40 3.06 8.55 4.30 3.16 6.68 3.20 7.80 5.18 6.62 5.83 5.79
Average Yield Increase = 22%
Maximum Yield Increase = 69%
2014-2015 2015-2016 2016-2017 Mean
Average Yield Increase (%) 28 23 22 24
Maximum Yield Increase (%) 59 62 69 63

23. Increasing Water Productivity in Wheat for Enhancing Food Security
while Saving Water Resources in Egypt
• Reduce applied water by 30%
• Increased yields by 25%
• Reduced seed rate by 50%
• Increased WUE by 72%
Increasing wheat crop productivity and
food security while saving on water
resources
The development of wheat area
grown on raisedbed (ha) in
Sharkia governorate, Egypt
Adopted on 700,000 acres across Egypt in 6 years. Egyptian
Government National Campaign is targeting 1.8 million acres
(730,000 ha) by 2020.
Mechanized Raisedbed (Evaporation)Farmer practices (Evaporation)
950
2,080
6,293
21,200
29,167
33,600
36,500
38,800
0
5000
10000
15000
20000
25000
30000
35000
40000
45000
2009/2010 2010/2011 2011/2012 2012/2013 2013/2014 2014/2015 2015/2016 2016/2017
ha
Year

24. 0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Percentage
Percentage of wheat import in total
demand
BAU RB
0
500
1000
1500
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
MillionUSD
Foreign currency savings:
Import value of the extra
production due to raised
bed adoption
Multiplier Impact of Scaling Up of RB in Egypt: Reducing Imports and
Saving Water

25. Multiplier Impact of Scaling Up of RB in Egypt: Improving Livelihoods
• Cumulative job creation 2017-2026 is 98, 290 jobs
– Manufacturing of RBM
– Maintenance of RBM
– Operating the RBM
– Indirect jobs created due to increased crop production

26. 26
Jobs created from raised bed technology
• Cumulative job creation 2017-2026 is 98, 290 jobs
– Manufacturing of RBM
– Maintenance of RBM
– Operating the RBM
– Indirect jobs created due to increased crop production

27. 27
New Collaborative Projects Between ICARDA and CIHEAM in the Mediterranean
• Starengthening knowledge management for greater development effectiveness in
NENA &CA ($1.8 m- IFAD). 3 components & 3 countries (Morocco):
– KM capacity assessment for enhanced formulation of learning needs
– Capacity development and knowledge systematization
– Enhanced regional knowledge exchange
• A project proposal (under development) on “the development of youth business
innovations in the Mediterranean countries to reduce unemployment in agro-food
sector”. This is within the framework of “Mediterranean innovation Partnership (MIP)

28. 28
“Science for resilient livelihoods in the dry areas.”
Thank You for Your Attention

29. Important: Non-Tropical Dryland Agrobiodiversity

30. Total taxa
Perennial
Cross-pollinated
865
> 100
> 130
% unique accessions 45
% landraces and native
species
65-85
% characterized 78
% safe duplicated 98
% stored in Svalbard 80
Number of Rhizobium
strains
1380
ICARDA’s Germplasm Collection in Numbers
Crop No of
accs.
Crop No of
accs.
Barley 30,201 Pisum spp. 6,121
Bread wheat 14,681 Trifolium spp. 5,883
Durum wheat 20,526 Vicia spp. 6,388
Primitive wheat 1,022 Faba bean 10,034
Aegilops spp. 4,843 Chickpea 15,195
Wild Triticum 2,079 Lentil 13,907
Wild Hordeum 2,359 Wild Cicer 547
Not mandate cereals 179 Wild Lens 605
Lathyrus spp. 4,289 Range & Pasture 7,358
Medicago annual 9,120 Others 50
Total 155,387
Crop
genepool
Global
Ranking
% acc.
globally
Barley 2nd 18
Wheat 3rd 11
Chickpea 2nd 15
Faba bean 1st 48
Lentil 1st 51
Lathyrus 1st 36
Medicago 1st 28
Pisum 2nd 15
Trifolium 2nd 11
Vicia 1st 13
Overall 2nd 5.6
(1) Based on GENESYS information
Total accessions: 3,631,898 in 482 institutions

31. Hydroponics Production Systems
Comparison No of
harvests
Yield/
Harvest
(Kg)
Total
Yield
(Kg)
Land
Productivity
Kg/m2
water
Productivity
Kg/m3
Hydroponic 25 104 2620 8.1 73.6
Conventional 13 77.7 1010 3.1 15.3
Achievements & Impacts: Improved Management of Natural Resources
Benefits: Soil-less production increased yield and water productivity by 50% (average)

32. Achievements & Impacts: Enhancing food production and water security
Buffel grass: water saving forage production
Arabian Peninsula (AFESD, IFAD, OFID)
• Huge water savings in water scarce
countries: switching to Buffel
Grass for forage reduces water
requirement by 50%
– Oman growers produce 418,366 tons
of Green Rhodes grass, with 228
million m3 of water.
– For producing same amount of forage
with Buffel grass, only 116 million m3
of water was required.
Potential national water savings:
112M m3.
Buffle Grass: high-nutrition forage crop
with less water requirements.

33. Water harvesting for rangelands
 Low cost WH technologies integrated
 Mechanization, laser guided contouring, direct
seedling planting
 Water stored in soils and aquifer
 Grazing management
 Combating desertification
33
WANA Benchmark Project: Water Harvesting for Marginal Dry areas
• Country scale, VWH implemented on 3900 ha till
2015, out of 650, 000 ha that are suitable for
development in Jordan.
• CWANA region scale, similarity analysis showed
a potential area of 3.24 million m2 is suitable

34. Google Earth showing implementation sites
34

35. Adoption of Polycarbonate Drying
Chambers (PDC) led to: Reducing
postharvest loses and waste for dates
by 30-50%
Adoption of Subsurface Drip Irrigation
(SDI) System led to: Significant water
saving/ha: KSA (27%); Oman (35-72%);
Qatar (44.5%)
Adoption of Liquid Pollination (LP)
Technology led to: Reduction in
pollination costs by 89%; At least 20%
higher yields (1300-2000 kg/ha)
Technology in Protected Agriculture and Date Palm

36. Achievements & Impacts: Improving agricultural productivity and food security
Enhanced small-holder wheat-legume cropping systems to improve
food security under changing climate in the drylands of NAWA (EU-IFAD)
• 9 390 farmers exposed to improved technologies and
technology packages in two seasons 2013 and 2014 in 8
countries:
• 2130 farmers in 2013
• 7260 farmers in 2014
• 15 175 farmers were exposed to project technology
packages in 2015.
• Orabanche –resistant feba bean varieties which has
reversed the trend of declining local production
• Application of SI. increased the yield of wheat (27-47%)
and food legume (24-40%) in Tunisia and Algeria
• Supporting policy change: Egypt - national campaign for
faba bean production + lentil. Tunisia – support faba
bean production;

37. 37
Efficiency Gains Associated with Conservation Agriculture in
Wheat Production, Iraq
Level of Efficiency (TE) %
PercentageofFarmers(%)13% Efficiency gains associated with the use of ZT
in Iraq
Impacts & achievements: Improved Natural Resource Management
Improving the Food Security and Climate Change Adaptability of Livestock
Producers using the Rainfed Barley-based System in Iraq and Jordan

38. 38
drylands of Africa suffer from stunted growth
INNOVATION FOR THE FUTURE – WHAT IS NEW?
• Pre-breeding – mining adaptive genes from crop wild relatives for a
4°C warmer world in our mandated crops- “climate-smart crops”.
• High precision phenotyping for multiple and combined stresses.
• Farming with alternative pollinators.
• Going beyond just agriculture to functional and sustainable value
chains for durum, barley, pulses and small ruminants – job creation
and targeting markets.
• Genomics of small ruminants a tool for understanding heat and cold
tolerance – building “climate resilient” small ruminants.
• Precision feeding and flock/herd reproductive management.
• The Options x Context in sustainable land management-decision
supporting tool.
• Protected agriculture to address water scarcity-full self sustaining
systems producing high value crops-Sundrop systems.
• Sequential biological concentration – adding value to marginal
quality water – developing value chains for saline irrigation drainage
waters.

39. 39
NEW STRATEGY BUILDS ON ICARDA PAST ACHIEVEMENTS
 High value and climate resilient crops
 Crop improvements for yield potential and
for abiotic and biotic stresses
 Integrated livestock/rangelands/crops
production systems
 Intensification and diversification of
cropping systems
 Protected agriculture
 Improvements in water availability and
management and greywater use
 Added value on dairy products in marginal
dry areas

40. 40
• Unique collections of wheat, barley, lentil, chickpea, faba bean,
grass pea and forage genetic resources & rhizobia
• Breeding programs using local indigenous species
• Key contributor to global germplasm conservation
• Small ruminant genetics & expertise
• Develop improved germplasm to meet farmer and market
needs, with resistance to biotic & abiotic stress, with quality &
nutritional attributes
• Water harvesting and on-farm water management
• Integrated Systems research capacity
• Integrated farming systems – in one decentralized Centre
• Biometrics & Statistics support, innovations & knowledge-
sharing
• On-farm research for a deeper understanding of challenges and
enables us to offer adoptable solutions to prevalent problem
• Farming with alternative pollinators (FAP).
• GIS/RS skills and capacity
LEVERAGING ICARDA STRENGTHS AND COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGE
Science Strengths

41. 41
INDIGENOUS SHEEP & GOATS GENETICS TO ESTABLISH RESILIENCE UNDER CLIMATE CHANGE
5 breeds of goats & 6 breeds of Egyptian sheep analyzed: Both species show high
levels of allelic & genetic diversity but low levels of genetic differentiation.
Research identified & developed abiotic-stress tolerant Barki sheep & goats to
support livelihoods & resilience of desert communities to hot dry conditions in
Egypt’s Coastal Zone of Western Desert. Findings were published in Heredity.
More breeds of sheep and goats were sampled: tests identified chromosomes 6, 12
and 16 which harbor important genes for adaptation to abiotic stress.
The next step is to further confirm the functional significance of the identified
genes in expression studies.
Project began in 2008-2009 under ARC-ICARDA Collaborative Program on Irrigated
Wheat-Based System & Small Ruminant-Based System; Funded by Egypt’s
contribution to the CGIAR through ICARDA; ICARDA L&F CRP; State of Iowa Hatch
Funds & Ensminger fund; Illumina’s “Greater Good Initiative ”GeneSeek Inc.
Team members: ARC-Egypt, Iowa State University, ICARDA