Delivering Impactful Solutions Globally
ICBA has successfully implemented over 200 projects in more than 40 countries, addressing critical challenges in agriculture and water management across arid and saline environments. These programs integrate cutting-edge research, innovative solutions, and community-focused approaches to foster sustainable development.
Key Focus Areas
ICBA has introduced and scaled stress-tolerant crops such as quinoa, barley, and salicornia in arid and saline regions, contributing to enhanced food security and resilience. The center has also developed integrated farming systems that optimize resource efficiency and sustainability, addressing the unique needs of resource-constrained environments. Furthermore, ICBA has collaborated with governments and private sector partners to expand the adoption of treated wastewater for agricultural use, demonstrating its commitment to innovation and environmental sustainability.
ICBA’s approach ensures measurable and lasting impacts by combining scientific research, innovative technology, and capacity-building programs to create resilient farming systems tailored to local needs.
Key Projects in the UAE
The challenging environmental conditions in the UAE have provided an ideal setting for ICBA’s innovative research. One of the center’s major successes has been its work with quinoa, a crop that thrives in saline and drought conditions. Since 2006, ICBA has partnered with local farmers to test and evaluate a variety of quinoa cultivars for productivity and performance. Through field trials involving 121 quinoa genotypes across different soil types, five genotypes with outstanding potential were identified and introduced for plantation, in collaboration with the UAE Government and global agricultural entities.
Recent initiatives also include exploring nature-based solutions to address climate action, biodiversity, and human well-being in the UAE. Additionally, ICBA has contributed to developing a national policy for utilizing treated sewage effluent and biosolids in controlled environment agriculture, showcasing its commitment to sustainable resource management.
Empowering Communities Across Borders
ICBA is committed to addressing regional agricultural challenges by fostering resilience, promoting sustainability, and improving livelihoods through innovative biosaline solutions. With a strong focus on collaboration and capacity-building, ICBA has implemented impactful projects across the region to uplift farming communities and support rural development.
Key Regional Initiatives
Tunisia: ICBA facilitated agricultural startups for university graduates to address youth unemployment, creating opportunities in the agrarian sector. Additionally, value chains for stress-resilient crops were introduced in Kasserine, supporting sustainable rural development and improving local livelihoods.
Bahrain: ICBA strengthened institutional capacities to create an enabling environment for water demand management. By focusing on effective policies and innovative approaches, the project enhanced resource efficiency in a water-scarce region.
Jordan: In partnership with experienced associates, ICBA implemented innovative water management technologies, demonstrating scalable solutions for sustainable agriculture in arid conditions.
Morocco: ICBA scaled up the quinoa value chain, enhancing food security and economic resilience in underserved rural communities. This initiative leveraged the crop’s stress-resilience to combat challenges posed by salinity and water scarcity.
Advancing Regional Resilience
The Central Asia and Caucasus (CAC) region faces significant agricultural challenges due to excessive salinity, drought, and extreme temperatures that hinder the productivity of food and feed crops. Recognizing the need for targeted solutions, ICBA established the CAC Office to address these issues through its integrated systems-based approach to salinity management and climate resilience.
The CAC Office supports research and development across Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Kyrgyzstan. Its initiatives focus on breeding and conservation of stress-tolerant crops, improving crop quality, and implementing best management practices. The office also facilitates multilocational evaluations to ensure scalable and sustainable outcomes for the region.
By addressing abiotic stress adaptation and mitigation, the CAC Office plays a pivotal role in fostering agricultural innovation and enhancing the resilience of farming systems in saline and arid environments.
