Cereal Improvement Program 1987

Abstract

Cereal Improvement Program (CP) activities are oriented to assist NARS to improve yield and production dependability of barley, durum wheat, and bread wheat in the drier, predominantly rainfed areas of the ICARDA region, but also with a wider mandate in developing countries in the case of barley. The overall objective is to achieve greater stability and improved yields over seasons by moderating the effects of environmental stress rather than to simply maximize production in more favorable environments. 'This will improve the income and quality of life of a vast population whose livelihood depends on barley/livestock or other cereal-based farming systems. Projects within the Cereals Program have a commodity focus with a farming systems perspective and multi-disciplinary research and training in agronomy (together with FRMP), breeding, crop physiology, pathology, entomology, grain quality, and transfer of technology integrated into a strong team approach. Breeding remains the core but more resources are directed to the supporting sciences. The Program works closely and derives valuable support from other programs and units at ICARDA. The three cereal crops on which the Program is working are barley, durum wheat, and bread heat. The three crops account for about 70% of the area planted to annual food crops in North Africa and West Asia (WAIW).