Dryland Agricultural Research and Technology
More than half of the IGAD region is classified as Arid and Semi-Arid Land (ASAL). The severe as well as recurrent droughts that hit the region hamper agricultural production, particularly in the ASALs. Furthermore, these areas are characterised by limited income opportunities and the majority of the people are chronically food insecure. The technologies developed for high rainfall lands are not the most suitable to be used in the ASALs, so their impact on productivity is limited and are not able to close the food gap of these perennially deficit zones. Hence, arises the need for setting up within IGAD a permanent programme for Dryland Agricultural Research and Technology.
The overall objective of the programme is to enhance food security in the dryer parts of the IGAD region through cooperation, integration and exchange of technologies and information concerning promotion of production in the ASALS. Specifically the programme aims:
- To build capacity for ASALs Agricultural research and extension;
- To improve exchange of dryland technology and technology transfer;
- T o strengthen both public and private research centres and extension services that can promote the production of the desired crop varieties;
- to promote linkages among regional dryland research institutions and with international research institutions that work on dryland crops;
- To contribute in establishing Drylands research centres of excellence
The programme has the following components:
(1) Promoting Sustainable Production of Drought Tolerant High Yielding Crop Varieties through Research and Extension
(2) Water Harvesting Pilot Project in the IGAD Region