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 ICBA's scientific programs

ICBA’s mandate has been expanded with the replacement of the previous programs Plant Genetic Resources (GRO) and Production and Management Systems (PMS) with two new research programs: Integrated Water Resource System (IWRS) and Marginal Quality Water Resources (MQ).

Integrated Water Resource System

The Integrated Water Resource System (IWRS) approach examines the system flows, balances, impacts, tradeoff, trends and dynamics in different water resources. It considers all the different uses of a unit of water as it flows from river to farm and from city to sea. IWRS values water resources from multiple perspectives: the cost of extraction versus the value of crops, and the reconciliation of human and societal needs with environmental concerns.

The IWRS Program includes five priorities:

  • assessment of trends in water resources
  • water allocation optimization
  • improvement of system/off-farm water use efficiency
  • environmental protection, sustainability and policy
  • the sharing of water resources information and knowledge.
Many extensive projects will satisfy multiple priorities.

Marginal Quality Water Resources

Driven by increasing demand and concomitant diminishing supply of water resources, the region, and elsewhere in the world, is focusing on finding solutions. The second ICBA program, the Marginal Quality Water Resources (MQ) Program, revolves around a major solution: the use of marginal quality water. A resource formerly scorned, marginal quality water, which includes municipal and industrial wastewater as well as saline water, is seen as a key strategy to deal with the severe freshwater shortage. If research could find sustainable new uses for it, marginal quality water could be transformed into a valuable resource. ICBA will help the region gain knowledge in marginal quality water science and policy by connecting to global expertise and conducting research and development, discovering more effective ways to manage marginal quality water, and devising monitoring protocols and usage guidelines.

The MQ Program comprises the following six priorities: assessment of marginal quality water resources quantity and quality, on-farm integrated resource management of marginal quality waters, the use of marginal quality water sources for production of specialty products, methods/techniques for improving marginal quality water and its by-products for agriculture, socio-economic aspects of marginal quality water, and the environmental impact assessment.

Capacity building and Knowledge-sharing Program

The program, Communications, Networking and Information Management, has been replaced in the ICBA Strategic Plan 2008-2012 by the Capacity building and Knowledge-sharing Program. The driver behind this program – to ensure that project participants and beneficiaries acquire knowledge and skills from any project – remains the same. This Program comprises the following priorities: the building of skills in integrated water resource systems science and technology, the building of skills in marginal water quality science and technology, the management of institutional change to achieve integrated water resource systems approaches, governance and policy capacity-building, media, and communications and public awareness-raising skills. ICBA will develop these capacities in the region by organizing training courses, workshops, seminars, graduate programs, and enhancing the communication and sharing of knowledge.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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International Center for Biosaline Agriculture, PO Box 14660, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel: +971 4 336 1100 Fax: +971 4 336 1155