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D 7.3.2. The major outcome of the project will be presented in the specialized press, targeted events, and agricltural fairs
No full textThis internal report is part of the MountainHER project, which aims to ensure that the approach
adopted by MountainHER is not only applicable to the communities directly targeted by the project,
but also scalable to other communities across Mediterranean countries. The initiative operates within
the framework of rural transformation, gender inclusion, and sustainable food systems, particularly in
regions facing climatic and socio-economic challenges. This report specifically aims to demonstrate
how the project’s outputs have been disseminated through specialized press, agricultural fairs, and
targeted events
Insects’ and Farmers’ Responses to Pollinator-Related Habitat Improvement in Small and Large Faba Bean Fields in Morocco
No full textNovel agro-ecosystem management practices are necessary to sustain biodiversity. In low- and middle-income countries, profitable marketable habitat enhancement plants (MHEPs) associated with a single main crop may be more efficient at supporting insect diversity and farmer income compared to monoculture fields. An approach known as “Farming with Alternative Pollinators” (FAP), which uses marketable habitat enhancement plants, was tested in Morocco. To date, the FAP approach has achieved success in fields measuring approximately 300 square meters, supporting the diversity and abundance of pollinators, natural enemies of pests, and farmer net income. However, the question remains: how efficient would this approach be in large fields of one hectare or more? We present a case study conducted using faba bean as the main crop and compared the development of the FAP approach in 300 square meter and one-hectare fields in Morocco. At the field level, compared to the control fields (i.e., monoculture), the diversity and abundance of pollinators and natural enemies were higher in FAP fields of both field sizes, but the difference was less in large fields. The difference in net income (108% vs. 36% in small vs. large fields) was significant, indicating a potential incentive for the farmers of small and large fields. A questionnaire conducted with farmers confirmed their recognition of the value of marketable habitat enhancement plants as a cost-efficient solution that can offer multiple benefits
Effects of Physicochemical Characteristics of Two Soils on Agro-Morphological Traits of Two Chickpea Varieties (Cicer arietinum L.)
No full textThis study investigated the impact of soil properties under greenhouse conditions on the growth and productivity of two chickpea (Cicer arietinum) genotypes (V1 and V2) using two distinct soils collected from Marchouch and Beni Mellal sites. Soil analysis revealed significant differences in organic matter, phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen levels between the two sites. Marchouch soil, characterized by higher nutrient content, especially phosphorus, demonstrated a more favorable environment for chickpea growth, resulting in enhanced plant height, leaf number, chlorophyll content, seed number, and seed weight. Variety V2 showed slightly better performance than V1 across both soil types, particularly in terms of seed yield and mineral content. This research highlights the importance of soil nutrient availability. Furthermore, this study emphasizes the important role of phosphorus in chickpea growth, with Marchouch soil having a higher phosphorus level (62.9 mg kg−1), significantly boosting plant development and yield. Although soil mineral characteristics and genotypes had little effect on most minerals, zinc (19.77 mg uL−1) and iron (69.43 mg uL−1) levels stood out as significant exceptions. Therefore, further studies should focus on examining additional soil characteristics and expanding genotype selection. Based on the findings, Marchouch soil appears to be more favorable for chickpea cultivation. However, more research is needed on the effect of soil and genotypes on Rhizobium activity
Alternative Herbicide to Address the Constraint of Parasitic Weed of Faba Bean in North Africa
No full textFaba bean, Vicia faba is a key temperate legume grown for food, feed, and as part of cereal-based cropping systems in North Africa. However, its production is severely constrained by parasitic weeds, particularly Orobanche crenata, leading to increased cereal monocropping and higher dependence on imports. Management options are limited, with partial resistance in varieties and the use of herbicide-tolerant cultivars or sublethal glyphosate applications practiced on a limited scale. Recently, the post-emergence herbicide Corum® (480 g/L bentazone + 22.4 g/L imazamox) combined with the adjuvant Dash® has been registered in Morocco and Tunisia for controlling broadleaf and grassy weed control at the vegetative stage of faba bean. Notably, imazamox has an active ingredient against parasitic weeds. This study aimed to evaluate herbicide rates and application timings for parasitic weed control in faba bean in Morocco. Experimental treatments included glyphosate (360 g/ha) applied twice at 15-day intervals during flowering, and Corum with Dash® at three rates (1.5, 0.75, and 0.37 L/ha) applied at vegetative and flowering stages. Non-sprayed plots served as controls. The designed experiments were conducted over two seasons (2023–2025) at the ICARDA Marchouch Research Station under high Orobanche crenata pressure using susceptible registered Morocco varieties. Corum herbicide caused visual injury, but plants recovered within a week. Glyphosate significantly reduced Orobanche shoots, increased nodulation, and resulted in the highest yields. The lowest Corum dose (0.37 L/ha) also suppressed Orobanche and improved yield compared to the higher rates. Non-treated plots showed 64 Orobanche shoots/m² and produced no yield due to early plant death and herbicide treated plots produced less than 5 shoots/m2. These findings suggest that low-dose Corum application can aid in Orobanche management. Large-scale demonstrations are needed to raise farmer’s awareness. Further research is also needed to understand the effects of post-emergence herbicides on faba bean nodulation
Costs of Inaction, Benefits of Action, and Returns on Investment to Combat Agricultural Resource Degradation in Tunisia
No full textThis study aimed at estimating the total economic costs of inaction, the benefits of action, and the returns on investment to combat agricultural resource degradation in Tunisia. The study’s scope covers all four biomes in agriculture, namely crop lands, pasturelands, forests, and irrigation water at both provincial and national levels. Using the Analysis Pack for Economics of Agricultural Resource Degradation (APEARD) tool and applying extremely conservative assumptions, we estimated that Tunisia is annually losing at least 1.9 million tons of potential production of different crops (cereals, legumes, vegetables, fruits, and cultivated forages), which represents 22% of current production and the associated crop residues in one season. Degradation also causes the loss of 431 thousand tons of forest and shrub biomass (1.09% of total stock), and 2.3 million tons (25.4%) of forage from natural pastures. Moreover, due to inaction or inadequate action to conserve water and reduce losses, the country is losing at least 884 million cubic meters of water including surface runoff (23.33% of total supply). Tunisia is also losing at least 142 million tons of soil (i.e., 8.68 ton/ha or 0.62% of total soil stock assuming an average 1,400 tons per ha of land) every year due to erosion, which is also associated with the release of at least 882 thousand tons of carbon into the atmosphere.
The study estimated that if Tunisia implements recommended package of policy, institutional, and technological changes at a cost of US3.5 billion in ten years - leading to an average benefit:cost ratio of 5.97. The policy implication of our findings is that the government of Tunisia, its national and international development partners, civil society, and all citizens should join forces in raising awareness on the gravity of the problem and exert concerted efforts to prevent further degradation and loss of ecosystem services. Such efforts can be justified not only on social, biophysical, and environmental grounds, but also on economic rationale
Yield, nutritive value and carbon footprint responses of Guatemala grass to altitude and harvest timing
No full textGuatemala grass (Tripsacum laxum), a high-yielding perennial fodder shows promise due to its good nutritional profile and adaptability. It remains leafy at maturity and has been successfully
introduced in southern Ethiopia’s agroforestry systems. The effect of agro-ecologies and harvesting dates on agronomic traits, nutritional value and methane production of Guatemala grass was evaluated in this study
Integration of Formal and informal Resilient Seed System Development in Western Kenya
No full textCommunity Seed Banks (CSBs) represent a strategic interface between farmer-managed and formal seed systems, with proven potential to conserve agrobiodiversity, enhance climate resilience, and improve equitable access to quality seed for smallholder farmers across heterogeneous landscapes. In Western Kenya, where CGIAR sister centers, national institutions, farming communities, and development partners collaborate under the CGIAR Multifunctional Landscapes (MFL) Science Program to advance food production, biodiversity conservation, and livelihood outcomes, CSBs offer a locally grounded and cost-effective mechanism for addressing persistent weaknesses in the seed system. These weaknesses stem largely from a policy and regulatory environment that prioritizes the formal seed sector. This bias limits the recognition, institutional support, and scaling of farmer-managed seed systems, and generates tensions with constitutional provisions that protect indigenous seed systems and associated knowledge.
The brief identifies key binding constraints (BCs) alongside emerging opportunities and proposes actionable recommendations to embed CSBs within national and county-level strategies, in accordance with the indigenous seed protection provisions of the Kenyan Constitution. Realizing the full potential of CSBs will require deliberate policy coherence, targeted investment in local capacity, and strengthened science–policy–practice interfaces to deliver sustained, landscape-level impact
Strengthening Genebanks Through Regional Collaboration in CWANA: Interview with Plant Genetic Resources Expert and Estidama Genebank Manager in Oman
No full textAli Al-Allawati, Plant Genetic Resources Expert and Estidama Genebank Manager in Oman, joined ICARDA’s CWANA Genebank Managers Meeting in Istanbul.
In this interview, he shares how bringing together genebank managers and scientists from ICARDA helps exchange practical knowledge on what to conserve and how to conserve it
Genetic analysis and marker assisted selection using KASP markers in a doubled haploid bread wheat population
No full textBread Wheat breeding can rely on different methods, the main objective of this study was to combine Marker Assisted Selection with haplodiploidisation to accelerate the breeding process, focusing on the introduction of high yield, rust resistance genes (Lr34 and Lr46) and dwarf gene Rht1. This approach was designed to be efficient and precise, significantly speeding up the development of wheat lines with desirable traits by reducing the time and effort typically required in conventional breeding methods. In this context, the concept of genetic gain which is the result of the interaction between heritability, phenotypic variation, selection intensity, and cycle length was rigorously applied. The selection was conducted using ANOVA, PCA, MGIDI analysis, and KASP markers. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the parental and the DH lines for all agronomic traits, indicating substantial genetic diversity within the DH lines. From the DH lines, 54 DH lines were selected for their optimal combination of agronomic performance, including early maturity and high yield potential. Additionally, KASP analysis enabled the selection of one DH ideotype carried Lr34, Lr46, and Rht1. 61 DH lines carrying pyramided resistance genes (Lr34, Lr46) and the dwarfing gene (Rht1) based on the presence of favourable marker alleles were identified. Among these selections, 13 DH lines were identified as having the ideal combination of rust resistance, dwarfing gene alleles, and high yield potential. These selections represent a significant advancement in terms of earliness and yield, and genes pyramiding for improving wheat productivity across diverse environments
"Wheat Champions” Campaign for Scaling up the Bundled Solution for Irrigated Wheat in Egypt
No full textThe “Wheat Champions” Campaign report documents a strategic collaboration between ICARDA, the Agricultural Research Center (ARC), and the Central Administration of Agricultural Extension Services (CAAES) to scale up climate-smart, resource-efficient wheat production in Egypt. Implemented during the 2025/2026 wheat season under CGIAR Science Programs (S4I and SFP), the campaign addresses Egypt’s growing challenges of climate stress, water scarcity, soil degradation, and rising production costs within a fully irrigated agricultural system.
Wheat is a cornerstone of Egypt’s food security, yet national production continues to lag behind demand despite relatively high average yields. To close this gap, the campaign promotes an integrated “bundled solution” for irrigated wheat, developed and validated through multi-season research and farmer field evaluations. The bundle combines improved, stress-tolerant varieties; certified seed; optimal planting windows; minimum tillage; precision land leveling; soil testing; efficient irrigation and fertilization; bio-fertilizers; integrated pest management; and appropriate mechanization practices. Prior assessments show that full adoption can increase yields by 10–15% while reducing water use, fertilizer inputs, labor demand, and on-farm energy consumption.
The campaign operationalizes scaling through three core mechanisms: (i) establishment of demonstration fields comparing bundled practices with farmers’ practices across eight governorates in old and new lands, (ii) extension workshops and farmer field days reaching hundreds of farmers and extension staff, and (iii) Farmers’ Field Schools delivering season-long, practice-oriented training. Supporting knowledge products in Arabic and a structured digital monitoring system enable systematic data collection on agronomic practices, inputs, and outcomes.
Overall, the “Wheat Champions” Campaign strengthens the link between research, extension, and farmers, providing a practical, evidence-based pathway to enhance wheat productivity, improve resource use efficiency, and build climate resilience in line with Egypt’s Vision 2030 and national food security priorities