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DSpace is a digital service that collects, preserves, and distributes digital material. Repositories are important tools for preserving an organization's legacy; they facilitate digital preservation and scholarly communication.
Recent Submissions
- Breeding European Legumes for Increased Sustainability (BELIS) Project WP4 - Periodic ReportAuthor(s): Maalouf, FouadDate: 2025-09-10Type: Internal ReportStatus: Timeless limited accessICARDA evaluated diverse, genotyped panels of faba bean (300 accessions), lentil (300 accessions), and common vetch (280 accessions) across contrasting environments in Terbol, Lebanon (high rainfall) and Marchouch, Morocco (low rainfall/drought) during 2023–2024. In faba bean, significant variation was detected for phenology, plant height, yield components, and seed traits. Principal component analysis (PCA) explained 52.3% of variance at Terbol and 62.1% at Marchouch, with seed size traits and grain yield contributing most to diversity. Accessions were also screened for Ascochyta blight, chocolate spot, rust, and orobanche resistance. For lentil, wide and highly significant variation was observed for flowering, maturity, biological and seed yield, and seed weight across both sites. Screening at Marchouch revealed substantial diversity for orobanche resistance. In common vetch, significant variability was found for flowering time, maturity, yield, and yield components. PCA explained 56.4% of total variation, highlighting seed yield and pod number as key contributors. Results support future genomic selection efforts with CSIC.
- Baseline Assessment for the Development of ICARDA’s Interactive Capacity Development Platform on Agricultural Water Management in Dry AreasAuthor(s): Omar, Mohie; Al Zayed, Islam Sabry Al ZayedDate: 2026-02-22Type: Internal ReportStatus: Open accessThe report addresses water scarcity in dry regions, emphasizing the critical need for a digital e-learning platform tailored to water management. It highlights ICARDA's role in bridging knowledge gaps and improving agricultural practices amid climate challenges. Existing platforms provide high-quality, multilingual content but often suffer from outdated materials, low interactivity, and insufficient contextualization for arid environments. The authors recommend developing a new platform that integrates practical training, real-world applications, and strong institutional partnerships, ensuring accessibility and relevance for practitioners and policymakers in dryland areas.
- Value chain selection toolDate: 2026-02-24Type: ToolStatus: Open accessThe Value Chain Selection Tool, developed under the project Supporting the Implementation of the Regional Water Scarcity Initiative in the Near East and North Africa Region, guides strategic crop prioritization in water-scarce contexts. It is based on a multi-criteria assessment framework that integrates economic performance, water productivity, environmental sustainability, social inclusion, as well as infrastructural and institutional criteria. The tool emphasizes efficient water use, climate resilience, soil health, and long-term ecosystem sustainability. It also takes into account market demand, export potential, profitability and competitiveness, as well as access to technology and infrastructure. Social dimensions, such as job creation and the inclusion of smallholders, women, youth, and vulnerable groups, ensure equitable rural development. Through a comparative analysis of different crops, the tool helps policymakers, development partners, and private sector actors identify value chains that maximize yields while minimizing environmental impact. It strengthens investment planning, promotes responsible resource management, and aligns agricultural transformation with the objectives of the Regional Initiative on Water Scarcity. In doing so, it contributes to building resilient, inclusive, and water-efficient agri-food systems in the NENA region.
- Outil de sélection des chaînes de valeurDate: 2026-02-24Type: ToolStatus: Open accessL’Outil de sélection des chaînes de valeur, développé dans le cadre du projet Soutenir la mise en œuvre de l’Initiative régionale sur la rareté de l’eau dans la région du Proche-Orient et de l’Afrique du Nord (PENA), permet de prioriser stratégiquement les cultures dans des contextes de rareté en eau. Il s’appuie sur un cadre d’évaluation multicritères intégrant la performance économique, la productivité de l’eau, la durabilité environnementale, l’inclusion sociale ainsi que les critères infrastructurels et institutionnels. L’outil met l’accent sur l’utilisation efficace de l’eau, la résilience climatique, la santé des sols et la durabilité des écosystèmes à long terme. Il prend également en compte la demande du marché, le potentiel d’exportation, la rentabilité et la compétitivité, ainsi que l’accès à la technologie et aux infrastructures. Les dimensions sociales, telles que la création d’emplois et l’inclusion des petits exploitants, des femmes, des jeunes et des groupes vulnérables, assurent un développement rural équitable. Grâce à une analyse comparative entre différentes cultures, l’outil aide les décideurs politiques, les partenaires au développement et les acteurs du secteur privé à identifier les chaînes de valeur qui maximisent les rendements tout en minimisant l’impact environnemental. Il renforce la planification des investissements, favorise une gestion responsable des ressources et aligne la transformation agricole sur les objectifs de l’Initiative régionale sur la rareté de l’eau. Ainsi, il contribue à bâtir des systèmes agroalimentaires résilients, inclusifs et économes en eau dans la région PENA.
- A tool for optimizing the water, energy, food and ecosystem service nexus amidst diverse stakeholder interestsAuthor(s): Verbist, Joren; Yigezu, Yigezu; Akramkhanov, Akmal (Taylor and Francis Group)Date: 2026-03-03Type: Journal ArticleStatus: Open accessClimate change and population growth are intensifying pressures on agricultural resources, underscoring the need to optimize the water–energy–food–ecosystem (WEFE) nexus. This study applies the Stakeholder WEFE efficiency evaluation tool (SWEET) in Uzbekistan through key informant interviews with representatives from governmental departments managing water, energy, food and environmental sectors. Results reveal divergence and convergence of priorities across departments and sectors, respectively around soil cover, fuel consumption and food crop production. Non-food crops were however consistently deprioritized. SWEET supports the identification of shared priorities and potentially conflicting interests, thereby helping prevent rebound effects and building coherent WEFE governance.