Research topics for training
Biodiversity and crop improvement
ICARDA works through various sub-themes focused on enhancing agricultural productivity, production stability, and nutritional quality through high-yielding and stress-tolerant varieties. Following an integrated approach, the program uses conventional, molecular and participatory approaches across multiple locations and evaluations in collaboration with National Agricultural Research Systems, producing outputs that contribute to poverty alleviation and food security.
Training courses address:
- Best practices for handling genetic resources and gene bank management.
- Classic and molecular approaches in wheat breeding.
- Food legume breeding.
- Wheat variety maintenance and quality seed production.
- Advanced biometrical techniques in crop improvement.
- Integrated pest management of cereals and legumes.
- Variety maintenance and small-scale seed enterprise development and management.
Contact:
Michael Baum: m.baum[at]cgiar.org
Water, land, and ecosystems
ICARDA focuses on improved rainwater harvesting in dry areas. Another focus is supplemental irrigation, providing small quantities of water at crucial growth stages to supplement rainfall. ICARDA researchers study yield and water productivity in different crops at different levels of supplemental irrigation. The results help farmers make more informed decisions about irrigation. Enhancing the capacity of NARS to manage water and land resources efficiently is a priority for ICARDA, and we provide NARS with targeted training on all water management issues.
Training courses address:
- Water-use efficiency
- Drought management
- Supplemental irrigation
- Water harvesting
- Efficient irrigation systems
- Sustainable land management.
Contact:
Vinay Nangia: v.nangia[at]cgiar.org
Diversification and sustainable intensification of production systems
ICARDA strives to achieve sustainable intensification of market-oriented dryland farming systems, as well as diversification of farming systems with different crop, livestock, and horticultural options. We also aim to reverse increasing rates of degradation and desertification of rangelands by adopting an innovative, participatory, and multi-dimensional approach that includes all stakeholders.
Training courses address:
- Rangeland monitoring and assessment
- Biodiversity characterization and conservation
- Rehabilitation potential and methods
- Improved grazing management
- Institutional arrangements and policy options
- Assessing and improving ecosystem services.
Contact:
Mounir Louhaichi: m.louhaichi[at]cgiar.org
Social, Economic and Policy Research
ICARDA emphasizes research-for-development that addresses poverty eradication and higher income-generating agricultural activities across a wide range of fields in dry and marginal areas.
Training courses address:
- Adoption and impact assessments
- Agricultural marketing
- Agricultural policy analysis
- Environmental governance
- Socio-economics of natural resources management
- Bio-economic modeling.
Contact Person:
Boubaker Dhehibi: B.Dhehibi[at]cgiar.org
Geoinformatics
Remote Sensing and GIS Application courses provide an overview of theories, applications, and practices related to modern geospatial information technologies, including Remote Sensing, Geographic Information Systems, Ground Truth Data and Geospatial Modeling. The courses include lectures, discussions, and interactive and hands-on computer exercises.
Contact person:
Chandra Biradar: c.biradar[at]cgiar.org
Statistics
This course provides knowledge on statistical concepts and methodologies for designing field experiments and biometrical techniques that are applied in agricultural research and the use of Genstat software. It provides an opportunity for researchers to carry out statistical analysis of their data and prepare a draft research manuscript for publication.
Training courses address:
- Design and analysis of variety trials
- Design and analysis of agronomic field trials
- Introduction to Genstat
- Introduction to ICARDA’s Online Bio-computing facility
- Identification of statistical approaches
- Preparation of a draft manuscript for publication in an International journal
- Use of statistical programs coded in Genstat software.
Contact person:
Khaled Al-Sham'aa: k.el-shamaa[at]cgiar.org
Gender and Youth
Gender-responsive research means responding through research and activities to the needs and demands, constraints, and opportunities of both men and women alike. It also means explicitly targeting gender inequality so that it is not reproduced through project activities. This course offers operational definitions on gender for development in rural areas and illustrates how class and age interact with gender in complex ways. Specific research and development project examples will be provided from different contexts. The course is interactive and professionals will learn how to integrate gender into their own projects and everyday work.
Contact person:
Dina Najjar: d.najjar[at]cgiar.org
Project management cycle
This course helps participants build a solid foundation of project management knowledge, techniques, and tools that cover the entire project life cycle. Participants can learn and practice the critical tools and techniques that have been proven necessary for project management success - from writing a call for proposals to implementation and reporting. In lectures, discussions and exercises, you’ll cover the essential aspect of managing projects. This course is specifically designed to focus on the practical application of concepts. You’ll return to work with the knowledge and tools you need to get your projects started right and completed successfully.
Contact person:
Tareq Bremer: t.bremer[at]cgiar.org
Institutional and Organization Strengthening
This training course provides a practical, hands-on set of directions for those responsible for initiating, designing, managing, and facilitating the process of institutional and organizational analysis. It may be useful to analysts, designers, implementers, and evaluators of development programs, from government as well as private and civil society sectors; as well as those interested in practical tools and approaches to guide analysis and the design of interventions to strengthen organizations and reduce rural poverty.
Institutional strengthening relates to the mental models we use to interpret our lives and the social and natural world in which we live. It encompasses elements that include our individual beliefs and values; the overall cultural values and beliefs within which we live; the social norms that define, restrict and explain our lives; and frameworks of scientific understanding and research.
Contact person:
Charles Kleinermann: c.kleinermann[at]cgiar.org