The Islamic Organisation for Food Security (IOFS) supported the technical visit of Dr. Gaukhar Saken and Dr. Zhuldyz Abildayeva, specialists from the Kazakh Research Institute of Agriculture and Plant Growing (KazNIIZiR), to the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas - ICARDA, Morocco, from 1 to 10 April 2026. The mission aimed to strengthen Kazakhstan’s capacity in legume breeding, facilitate access to advanced methodologies, and enhance cooperation in genetic resources and climate-resilient agriculture.
During the visit, the KazNIIZiR specialists gained comprehensive practical exposure to ICARDA’s breeding systems, including the structure of selection programs, organization of experimental fields, and scientifically grounded approaches to crop improvement. Hands-on training was conducted on hybridization techniques, covering selection of parental lines and crossing methods. They also applied rapid structural and physiological analysis of breeding materials using modern equipment, including protein content assessment, enabling evaluation of multiple samples within minutes and significantly accelerating the breeding process. In addition, new research directions were explored, including the potential of grass pea as a forage crop for diversification of agricultural production.
The mission also included review of ICARDA’s genetic resources, with particular focus on drought-tolerant legume varieties. Several promising accessions were identified for potential adaptation under Kazakhstan conditions. As a follow-up, ICARDA and KazNIIZiR agreed on the transfer of selected legume and wheat varieties to Kazakhstan, subject to completion of ICARDA’s internal analysis and required procedures. This cooperation is expected to further strengthen Kazakhstan’s breeding programs and contribute to sustainable agricultural development.
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