Egyptian Stakeholder Consultation on CGIAR’s Integrated Desert Farming Innovation Platform

ICARDA and CGIAR, with the generous support of the UAE Government and the Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation (KAIDPAI), hosted a side-event during the 7th International Date Palm Conference in Abu Dhabi. The side event, 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, brought together experts and stakeholders from all over the region to discuss collaboration and commitment towards an Integrated Desert Farming Innovation Platform (IDFIP) in West Asia and North Africa (WANA).

The Integrated Desert Farming Innovation Platform is an initiative long developed by CGIAR and its partners. IDFIP 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.