Cairo:Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation Alaa Farouq met with Nizar Haddad, the newly appointed Director General of the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), to explore ways of strengthening the strategic partnership between Egypt and ICARDA. The focus of their discussion was on advancing field-based research to tackle water scarcity and climate change challenges.According to State Information Service Egypt, Farouq congratulated Haddad on his new role and expressed Egypt's gratitude for its longstanding partnership with ICARDA. This collaboration has resulted in significant research achievements and the transfer of modern agricultural technologies over the years. Farouq also acknowledged the contributions of former ICARDA Director General Ali Abu-Sabaa, particularly his support for Egypt's agricultural sector.

The meeting included a review of cooperation frameworks between the Agricultural Research Center (ARC) and ICARDA's Cairo office. Discussions covered ongoing and future research programs aimed at developing improved varieties of strategic crops, such as wheat, barley, and high-yielding legumes, that are more resistant to drought, salinity, and high temperatures. Farouq emphasized the need to translate scientific research into practical applications for farmers, emphasizing the adoption of modern technologies and innovative practices to enhance irrigation efficiency and food security.

Haddad expressed his appreciation for the collaboration with Egypt's Agriculture Ministry, commending the nation's efforts in agricultural development and projects aimed at expanding cultivated areas and boosting productivity. He affirmed ICARDA's commitment to providing scientific and technical support to enhance food security and develop sustainable agricultural solutions for dryland areas.

The meeting was attended by ARC President Adel Abdel Azim, former ICARDA Director General Ali Abu-Sabaa, and ICARDA Egypt Office Director Mohieddin Omar.