At a High Level KIADPAI/CGIAR side-event during the 7th International Date Palm Conference in Abu Dhabi in 2022, regional ministers, NARS representatives and key stakeholders gave a thumbs up to the ICARDA-led Integrated Desert Farming Innovation Platform.
The event was carried out under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, and opened by Her Excellency Mariam bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Almheiri, United Arab Emirates’ Minister of Climate Change and Environment, and Dr. Abdelouahab Zaid, Secretary-General of KIADPAI
The Integrated Desert Farming Innovation Platform was presented by Mr. Aly Abousabaa, CGIAR Regional Director of CWANA and Director General of ICARDA, alongside Mr. Elwyn Grainger-Jones, CGIAR’s Managing Director of Institutional Strategy and Systems, Mr. Andre Zandstra, Global Director, Innovative Finance and Resource Mobilization, CGIAR, Ms. Temina Lalani-Shariff, CGIAR Regional Director South Asiaat the CGIAR at a KIADPAI / CGIAR side-event on March 14-15 during the 7th International Date Palm Conference in Abu Dhabi.
The Integrated Desert Farming Innovation Platform boosts a new phase of international and regional collaboration, sharing knowledge and assets to accelerate agricultural innovations along field-to-fork value chains. The Platform builds on established foundations such as improved water management, the development of climate-smart crops, integrated crop/livestock systems, and efforts to reduce desertification while boosting pillar industries such as date palm production. It will also fast-track technology innovation breakthroughs in water and soil productivity and accelerate the adoption of innovative information technology, artificial intelligence, integrated pest management, and digital extension services.
