Mapping soil salinity changes using remote sensing in Central Iraq
Salinization is a common problem for agriculture in dryland environments and it has greatly affected land productivity and even caused cropland abandonment in Central and Southern Iraq. Hence it is of pressing importance to quantify the spatial...
Assessment of on-farm conservation of dryland agrobiodiversity and its impact on rural livelihoods in the Fertile Crescent
The Fertile Crescent encompasses a mega-center of diversity of crops and livestock of global importance. The International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) coordinated a 5-year regional project funded by the Global...
Farmers’ Perceptions of Water Policies: A Case Study from the Jordanian Badia
This report reviews a case study of farmers’ perceptions of policies and regulations to improve water security in the Jordanian Badia. The aim is to improve water management and conservation by engaging all stakeholders, in particular farmers...
Managing rangelands: promoting sustainable native grass species: Stipa lagascae: A heavy, adaptable grass that provides high quality hay
Stipa lagascae is a perennial bunchgrass that is highly palatable for livestock. It is also harvested and dried as high quality hay for summer feed. This plant is found in humid to arid areas across the Mediterranean and is flexible to...
One of the most commonly planted shrubs in the Mediterranean, Atriplex halimus is known for its remediation of degraded rangelands and salt-affected areas. It is commonly used as a forage plant for sheep and goats in arid areas and contributes...
Managing rangelands: promoting sustainable native shrub species: Fire Bush: the multipurpose sand dune stabilizer
Fire Bush – or Arta - is an excellent pastoral species for fixing soil and providing a source of protein for livestock. Its wood is highly prized as fuel, as it burns smokeless. It grows in course sandy dessert soils and is used for grazing...
Direct seeding of Salsola vermiculata for rehabilitation of degraded arid and semi-arid rangelands
Proper soil preparation provides the basis for good seed germination and establishment of steppe vegetation in the arid and semi-arid areas of West Asia and North Africa. Salsola vermiculata is a key shrub species of the region and contributes...
Measuring the economic impact of climate change on agriculture: a Ricardian analysis of farmlands in Tajikistan
We apply the Ricardian approach to analyse the economic impact of climate change on agriculture using the 2007World Bank Tajikistan Living Standards Survey. The study analyses data of 2557 farm households in 166 villages across the 10...
