The One CGIAR Global Research Portfolio​

Working closely with its global research centers and country partners, OneCGIAR has formulated a global portfolio of 33 strategic initiatives to transform the full range of land-water-crop-livestock-fish-forestry food systems into viable and adaptable approaches.

These new science and innovation-driven initiatives are designed to address country-specific challenges at systems, farm, biodiversity, and value-chain levels. The initiatives draw from vital in-country knowledge and the unique scientific expertise of our global centers and partners to provide innovative and new science to address new challenges.

As of the end of 2021, ICARDA is engaging in 17 of the initiatives and leading two.

From Fragility To Resilience In CWANA (F2R-CWANA)​

led by ICARDA’s Dr. Michael Baum and co-led by IWMI’s Maha Al-Zubi.

The F2R-CWANA Initiative works closely with countries to unlock and build on current initiatives and reduce fragility in the region by developing key solutions that integrate with the region’s diverse range of agro-ecosystems – rainfed, irrigated, agro-pastoral, and desert farming. Key innovative approaches will produce more food with less water, introduce new climate-resistant staple crop varieties, build networks that connect vertical and horizontal levels of markets, and increase agricultural and business access to women and youth.

Genebanks Initiative

Led by ICARDA’s Mariana Yazbeck and co-led by IITA’s Michael Abberton

• The Genebanks Initiative will support the global system for the conservation and use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture through standardisation, improved and high-quality data, and the adoption of automated approaches. It will also upscale its free supply of genetic resources from CGIAR’s nine genebanks to global researchers in compliance with Plant Treaty and phytosanitary regulations. 

One CGIAR Excellence In Agronomy (EiA) And Nexus Gains Initiatives

ICARDA’s Soil, Water, and Agronomy (SWA) team also collaborated with sister CGIAR centers in 2021 to support the development of the One CGIAR Excellence in Agronomy (EiA) and Nexus Gains initiatives. Leading the EiA’s CWANA Region Teams, and the Nexus Gains Initiatives in Sudan and Uzbekistan, the ICARDA’s SWA Team will support the initiatives in delivering agronomic gains for smallholder farming households in prioritized farming systems, water, energy, food, forests, and biodiversity systems, emphasizing the measurable impact of women and young farmers on food and nutrition security, income, water use, soil health, and climate resilience.

Sustainable Animal Productivity For Livelihoods, Nutrition, And Gender Inclusion (SAPLING) Initiative​

ICARDA’s agrosilvopastoral research teams are also integral in developing the Sustainable Animal Productivity for Livelihoods, Nutrition, and Gender Inclusion (SAPLING) Initiative, which is at the core of the OneCGIAR livestock portfolio. ICARDA’s Mourad Rekik is Deputy Lead, while other ICARDA scientists hold roles as three work package leads and one country coordinator for Ethiopia. ICARDA’s Team Leader of Rangeland Ecology and Forages, Dr. Mounir Louhaichi, was also selected as Deputy Leader of the Livestock, Climate and System Resilience (LCSR) Initiative. Partnering with public and private actors, LCSR will support producers, businesses, and governments to adapt livestock agri-food systems to climate change, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and contribute to sustainability and development goals across livestock systems.