Caravan 24: Review of agriculture in the dry areas

Published Date
November 10, 2007
Type
Newsletter
Caravan 24: Review of agriculture in the dry areas
Authors:
International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA)

Articles in this issue describe how value-addition options were identified for herbal and medicinal plants in a remote valley in Morocco; how cactus species – that combine hardiness with high market value – are being promoted in North Africa; and how value addition is helping to conserve biodiversity in Jordan.
In Afghanistan, ICARDA and its partners are helping to promote value addition in mint and saffron. ‘Protected agriculture’ options are being promoted in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen and elsewhere,
enabling small-scale farmers to grow high-value fruits and vegetables.
In West Asia the Center and its partners are developing improved crossbred sheep with higher meat
and milk productivity. Studies in Brazil, Mexico and Venezuela have catalyzed major changes in livestock
management at community level, improving incomes as well as rangeland health.
Technology development is supported by capacity building. ICARDA and its partners have been conducting training courses for several thousand participants from developing countries: farmers, researchers, extension staff, university students and others. Training programs range from simple methods to process milk into cheese or fruits into jam, to management of small agrienterprises, to DNA fingerprinting and other biotechnology applications.

Citation:
International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA). (10/11/2007). Caravan 24: Review of agriculture in the dry areas. Beirut, Lebanon: International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA).
Keywords:
high-value crops
value-added crop
conserving biodiversity
small-ruminant producers
frike
horticultural products
mint laboratories
dairy processing technologies
maghreb project
healthy foods
low calories
low fats
low cholesterol
rich fiber
anti-oxidants
cactus medicine
nursery
desert areas
walnut
small plots
dried mint
fresh leaves
shade-dried
urban markets
mulching methods
genotype
degraded rangelands
water savings
near east and north africa (nena)
caucasus
livestock productivity
improving livelihoods
dry areas
west asia
medicinal and aromatic plants
crops
erosion
irrigation
water harvesting
lambs
central asia
households
farmers
livestock products
latin america
livestock feed
flocks
greenhouse effect
mint
commodity chain analysis
horticultural exports
opuntia
honey
goat meat
sheep meat
cattle milk
myrtillocactus
goat cheese
minerals
feed blocks
milk
saffron
protected agriculture
rural poor
awassi sheep
fruit trees
maps
durum (triticum durum)
women's empowerment