Progress 07/01/03 to 06/30/06
Outputs
Objective 1. ICAR is one of the main sponsors and organizers of the 2nd Central Asian Cereals Conference scheduled for June 13-16, 2006 in Kyrgyzstan. The 3rd Central Asian Yellow Rust conference will be held from June 11-13 in Kyrgyzstan, prior to the 2nd Central Asian Cereals conference. The conferences supported by ICAR have been cost effective venues for communication and networking among all participants. Objective 2. Collaborative research Objective 2a. On-farm research demonstrations and germplasm improvement continued in 2005. Allocation of the funds is $30K (USD) for winter wheat-based systems across the region and $10K for spring wheat and conservation tillage in Northern Kazakhstan. For the 2005-06 winter projects, proposals were consolidated into regional or sub-regional projects. The project scope was refined to emphasize on-farm demonstrations of no-till and conservation tillage farming systems. Field days are a requirement for each project to demonstrate
technologies to local farmers. The projects that have direct farmer involvement, either as a lead cooperator or owner of the plot ground, are more successful than those which take place at research institutions. Oregon State University (OSU) has been funded to conduct quarantine increase and distribution of wheat germplasm included in the CIMMYT Winter Wheat East European Regional Yield Trial (WWEERYT) and the Facultative and Winter Wheat Observation Nursery (FAWWON). After quarantine and increase, seed of the nurseries is distributed to US collaborators. Objective 2b. The first round of competitive small grants for collaborative research projects between the US and CAC was completed in 2006 and a second round funded. Projects are focused on germplasm improvement for rust resistance in wheat, conservation tillage, and germplasm resources conservation. Objective 3. Strengthening of the human resources and institutional capacity Language Training Candidates for English language training
from the region were identified through a competitive process in the fall 2004 and 2005 from among recipients of project funding. A total of 58 English language courses have been supported as of 2006. That training has been implemented using local contractors in the CAC. Travel Grants Travel support was awarded for six CAC scientists to visit collaborators in the US. In addition, ICAR supported travel for four US scientists to attend workshops in the CAC in 2005 and 2006. Ten scientists from the CAC have been supported to attend workshops on conservation tillage and cereals production at CIMMYT in Turkey and Mexico in 2005. The project has helped establish a network of scientists around the world who conduct research on the three cereal rusts, yellow rust, brown rust, and blade rust. This network serves as a global information network to forecast movement of rust races and gene deployment strategies.
Impacts
This project provides a unique opportunity for collaborative research that will enable US researchers to improve productivity of US agricultural systems through expanded access of plant and microbial germplasm. The project also broadens the participants' networking, understanding and appreciation of a strategically important region of the world. Through this project the US plays a positive role in addressing growing food and environmental crises in the CAC region.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
|
Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
The ICAR project goals are to improve food security in the politically sensitive region of the CAC and to reduce environmental degradation. Goal 1: Develop a research network: Publication of the English version of the Proceedings of the 1st Central Asian Wheat Conference which took place in Almaty, Kazakhstan in 2003. The Russian version has been published in periodical journals in 2004-2005. The Proceedings have been globally distributed to the conference participants and major research programs. Some 50 copies were distributed in the USA through Washington State University (WSU). New research journal called Agromeredian has been has been jointly established by the MOA of Kazakhstan, CIMMYT, ICARDA and WSU. Registered in Kazakhstan, it will be published in Russian and English four times a year. Dr. Kim Garland Campbell represents ICAR in the Editorial Council. The first issue is in press. Preparation for the 2nd Central Asian Cereal Conference started in 2005. At the
1st CA Wheat Conference, Kyrgyzstan was chosen as a venue. The International Organizing Committee met in May and decided to expand the conference to have it devoted to cereals. The Local Organizing Committee has been established, the 1st Circular distributed and by mid-December more than 200 participants indicated interest. ICAR is one of the main sponsors and organizers. The conference will take place in mid-June 2006. The results from ICAR on-farm trials from 2002-2005 and a project description will be ready for publication by February-March 2006. Currently it is 90 pages of volume. Distribution and format is being negotiated. The ICAR project supported and participated in the Central Asian Winter Wheat Traveling Seminar in June 2005 in Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. The group of 35 scientists from 10 countries traveled for one week making observations and developing proposals for the regional cooperation framework. Dr. R. Gallagher and Ms. Suzanne Kopan participated from
WSU. The ICAR project supported and participated in The Kazakhstan-Siberia Conservation Agriculture Traveling Workshop in August 2006. The group of 25 scientists from 8 countries traveled for one week making observations and developing proposals for the regional cooperation framework. Dr. H. Woodard from SDSU represented the ICAR project.Goal 2: On-Farm and Collaborative Research: This important project component continued in 2005. Allocation of the funds continues to be divided between: $30K (USD) for winter wheat systems across the region and $10K for spring wheat and conservation tillage in Northern Kazakhstan. The final reports have been submitted and now being translated for report to WSU. Goal 3: Human resource development: Language training. In 2004-05 winter season more than 20 people went through the language training. In total more than $8000 was spent. Similar work is being organized presently and will be funded in 2006.
Impacts
This project provides a unique opportunity for collaborative research that will enable US researchers to improve productivity of US agricultural systems through expanded access of plant and microbial germplasm. The project also broadens the participants' networking, understanding and appreciation of a strategically important region of the world. Through this project the US plays a positive role in addressing growing food and environmental crises in the CAC region.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
|
Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04
Outputs
Objective 1- Research Network: A survey of interests and motivations to engage in international collaborations was initiated among US researchers and circulated members of the wheat research community. The CAC-ICAR project office in the region upgraded its management using the CIMMYT office in Almaty, Kazakhstan and Tbilisi, Georgia under the direction of Dr. A. Morgounov, WSU Adjunct Scientist and Coordinator for ICAR. Associated administrative support systems were established and refined between the WSU and CAC-ICAR offices and with CIMMYT headquarters in Mexico. An ICAR steering committee meeting was held in Almaty in June 2003 and adopted changes to management operations to improve oversight. A periodic newsletter publication in English was initiated and sent out electronically on a monthly basis from June through October 2003. The newsletter will be continued on a quarterly basis. Objective 2- Collaborative wheat systems research: Oregon State University
supported quarantine increase and distribution of wheat germplasm included in the 6th Winter Wheat East European Regional Yield Trial (WWEERYT). Candidate entries (102) were increased under quarantine conditions in 2003 at the OSU Hyslop Research Farm. The 6th WWEERYT was shipped to 9 US cooperators and included seed of 64 entries for replicated trials. OSU received 63 lines from CIMMYT-Turkey for quarantine seed increase in 2004. The first call for the winter wheat proposals was made in September 2002. Based on evaluations of the 32 projects received, 14 projects in 7 countries were approved for funding, the contracts signed, the initial 25% of the grant amount distributed and the fieldwork started. Project evaluations were conducted in the spring and summer of 2003 and upon project completion in September 2003. Thirteen of the fourteen projects were deemed successfully completed. Field days were held for each project to demonstrate technologies to local farmers. A final report was
generated in both Russian and English. The call for proposals for spring wheat in Northern Kazakhstan was made in February 2003. Eleven proposals were received and five were supported for funding. The results of the spring wheat projects will be distributed in AWN and on CD along with the winter wheat projects. Funding for the proposals was approved by CSREES in Jan 2004. Implementation of Collaborative research grants (each grant approx $15,000) is underway. Subcontracts have been completed for US collaborators and first year funds distributed. Project monitoring procedures have been established. US collaborators are contacting their CAC counterparts to arrange for site visits and other forms of information exchange. Objective 3- Strengthening of the human resources and institutional capacity: CAC Scientists who are collaborators in the funded proposals from Objective 2b will be identified and enrolled in local English language training suitable to their current abilities. ICAR is
actively collaborating with other programs and activities in the region that are being carried out by the land-grants, CIMMYT, ICARDA, USDA and others.
Impacts
This project addresses major problems and challenges that face agriculture in the in the U.S. and in Central Asia and the Caucasus region. Both the U.S. and CAC must improve their production efficiency, respond to similar pest and disease problems and environmental constraints, and help their agricultural sector constituencies to better understand and respond to the evolving global marketplace and better access and use information and technology from around the world. They must also deal with increased competition for use of land, water and other production resources. Following the events of 11 September 20001, international and U.S. attention on Central Asia and the Caucasus are at unprecedented levels. CAC countries such as Uzbekistan and Tajikistan have served as allies in the regional fight against terrorists in Afghanistan. Yet the economies and political systems in the CAC region itself are fragile. The proposed research partnerships will contribute to enhanced
food security, preserve threatened biodiversity, support democratic and market reforms and develop mutual understanding and appreciation among our institutions, citizens and nations.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
|
|