Livestock are very important to the agricultural economies of the CAC region, with its large steppe areas that are ideal for grazing and herding, and its mountainous areas where sheep and goats can navigate the rough terrain and generate a living for poor rural folk. The region once had highly-developed livestock industries producing wool, pelts, hides and meat. The export channels for these products largely collapsed when the main buyer, the Soviet Union, disintegrated. Through IFAD support, ICARDA has been helping these countries strengthen their feed and livestock systems and identify new market opportunities. Several new crop varieties have been released in CAC countries. For example, from the nurseries provided by the Turkey-CIMMYTICARDA wheat project, a promising winter wheat variety 'Dostlik' was released in Uzbekistan in 2002. With support from ICARDA, 1000 tons of seed of this variety was planted in 2003/04 for seed multiplication and distribution to farmers.

As part of the Consortium effort, CIMMYT is contributing technology and training to help rescue national research systems. One project sponsored by the World Bank's International Development Fund in Kazakhstan focuses on developing national strategies to reform the agricultural research system and build up its capabilities. Another, financed by GTZ, aims to help Tajikistan's national program, torn apart by civil war. CIP has expanded its efforts in Asia to include Central Asia and the Caucasus, where potato is an important commodity. Germplasm is being introduced and national scientists are being trained.