The project aims to increase crop productivity, profitability and sustainability in the drylands of northern Iraq through development, evaluation and promotion of conservation cropping technologies involving zero-tillage, stubble mulching, improved crop cultivars and better crop management. Project activity is focussed in Ninevah Governorate.
The objectives are:
1. To demonstrate and promote uptake of "best-bet" improved varieties and crop management systems for wheat, barley and pulse and forage legumes
2. To evaluate and select new, improved germplasm of wheat, barley and pulse and forage legumes for promotion in demonstration programs
3. To evaluate and select new, improved crop management technologies for promotion in demonstration programs
4. To facilitate agricultural planning and development through utilisation of GIS and crop modelling
5. To develop, evaluate and promote efficient and sustainable local seed production and supply systems
6. To monitor and evaluate adoption and impacts of project technologies, and identify enabling policy options to enhance uptake by farmers
7. To enhance capacity of Iraqi research and extension programs to develop and promote improved conservation cropping technologies.
The project commenced with the first reporting/planning meeting at ICARDA in September 2008, with 17 participants from Iraq, 7 from Australia and 20 from ICARDA. Activities and achievements from the previous project (CIM/2004/024) were presented and the 2008-09 workplan for the new project developed and circulated.
Under the demonstration objective, on-farm demonstrations were established as planned at 12 locations in Iraq evaluating wheat, barley, chickpea, and lentil lines under zero-tillage (ZT), chisel cultivation and conventional cultivation (CC). ZT area in the demonstrations covered 52ha. Six collaborating farmers independently sowed 440ha of ZT crops using a Rama seeder modified for ZT. The year was very dry with <150mm of rainfall at half the locations. Inspections in April-May 2009 confirmed that harvests were possible in only 4 sites, with crops failing because of low rainfall in the other 8 sites. Field days were held at Alqush on 7 January (12 farmers and staff); Telkief on 24 May (18 farmers and staff); and Alqush on 25 May (16 farmers and staff).
In linked demonstrations in Syria, 2070ha of ZT crops were established by 41 farmers in on-farm comparisons of ZT vs CC using locally-made ZT seeders. These farmer crops were inspected and discussed to promote understanding of ZT/stubble mulching with 12 farmers and 12 scientists from Iraq and 7 scientists and 10 farmers from Syria during training-study visits on ZT research, development and seeders in the spring of 2009.
Under the germplasm and crop management research objectives, the project conducted a total of 66 research trials. The University of Mosul and State Board of Agricultural Research Ninevah established 50 trials: 31 on evaluation of elite lines of wheat, barley, chickpea and lentil and varieties of vetch, lathyrus, saltbush, safflower, oats and peas; 19 on crop management and agronomy involving mixtures, rotations, polymer gel, hardpan amelioration and IPM. Trials were regularly inspected and evaluated. Unfortunately, crop growth was poor in many sites due to the very dry year, with reasonable growth and harvests expected from only 12 trials in 4 locations. Harvesting commenced in May/June.
At ICARDA, 16 trials for technology refinement/verification and Iraqi scientist and farmer training were conducted on crop growth under ZT and CC, local seeder performance under ZT and evaluation of alternative crops (oilseeds, oats, peas). All trials established and grew well with 280mm of rain. Growth was consistently better from ZT than CC and early than late sowing. Locally-made ZT seeders performed well. Trials were harvested in May/June.
Under the capacity enhancement objective, there were 91 Iraqi scientist and technician training visits to ICARDA with 74 participating in 10 formal training courses and 17 participating in the reporting-planning meeting where Australian collaborators gave 3 seminars on ZT machinery development, participatory extension and germplasm evaluation under ZT. The formal training focused on specific areas related to project implementation: adoption and impact analysis; seed multiplication and marketing; experimental methods and statistics; ZT seeder principles and operation; variety description and maintenance; GIS/remote sensing; germplasm improvement and breeding; and participatory extension methodology/practice. Australian collaborators delivered 3 of these courses.
In a May 2009 study visit, 11 farmers from Iraq and 8 from Syria spent a week inspecting and discussing ZT research and local farmer demonstrations in northern Syria. This was a very significant visit which enhanced farmer knowledge of conservation cropping systems and encouraged farmer involvement in development and evaluation of ZT/stubble mulching systems in Ninevah and Syria.
Six Iraqi project scientists attended several other significant capacity enhancement opportunities closely related to project activities:
a) one Iraqi economist undertook impact and adoption analysis training at an ACIAR-sponsored Crawford Fund Master Class in India in March 2009.
b) three Iraqi cereal breeders undertook crop breeding and seed production training at an AusAID sponsored course followed by a conservation cropping study tour in Australia in June-July 2009.
c) two Iraqi scientists/project leaders participated in, and presented a project poster at, the 4th World Congress on Conservation Agriculture and undertook a study tour of ACIAR-supported conservation cropping projects in India in February 2009.
During the year, project findings and research and demonstration trials were shown to and discussed with 50 farmers at field days and 21 agricultural engineering students in Iraq and over 500 visitors at ICARDA, which exposed the project and technology widely.
Detailed project information including project documents, reports and presentations is available through the ICARDA web site (http://www.icarda.cgiar.org/ACIAR/Index.htm). The website averaged150 hits/month during July 2008 - April 2009.
Since ZT technology was first exposed and introduced into Iraq by the previous project in 2006-07, the known area of ZT crops has increased to 489ha in 2008-09.In project-related development in Syria where the technology was similarly unknown and untested, total ZT area from project interactions was about 2126ha in 2008-09. A further 160ha of ZT crops is being grown in research and development projects involving Syrian research and extension groups. The recent increase in awareness, research and development on the technology, the keen involvement of farmers and seeder manufacturers in testing and taking up ZT sowing and seeder fabrication, and the higher yields and lower costs being experienced with the technology, provide a good foundation and confidence for wider adoption and impact. However, it has been difficult and disheartening for researchers, extension officers and farmers to develop, promote and evaluate better varieties and conservation cropping technologies during two successive severe droughts. We will hope for a wetter year in Iraq and Syria in 2009-10.

The project aims to increase crop productivity, profitability and sustainability in the drylands of northern Iraq through development, evaluation and promotion of conservation cropping technologies involving zero-tillage, stubble mulching, improved crop cultivars and better crop management. Project activity is focussed in Ninevah Governorate.
The objectives are:
1. To demonstrate and promote uptake of "best-bet" improved varieties and crop management systems for wheat, barley and pulse and forage legumes
2. To evaluate and select new, improved germplasm of wheat, barley and pulse and forage legumes for promotion in demonstration programs
3. To evaluate and select new, improved crop management technologies for promotion in demonstration programs
4. To facilitate agricultural planning and development through utilisation of GIS and crop modelling
5. To develop, evaluate and promote efficient and sustainable local seed production and supply systems
6. To monitor and evaluate adoption and impacts of project technologies, and identify enabling policy options to enhance uptake by farmers
7. To enhance capacity of Iraqi research and extension programs to develop and promote improved conservation cropping technologies.
The second project reporting/planning meeting was held at ICARDA on 27 September-1 October 2009, with 31 participants from Iraq, 3 from Australia and 15 from ICARDA. The Australian Ambassador and the First Secretary (Development Assistance) from the Australian Embassy in Baghdad attended and opened/closed the meeting. The Indian leader of the ACIAR project on enhancing wheat quality from the Directorate of Wheat Research in India also attended the meeting to share and discuss project experiences. Activities and achievements from 2008-09 were presented and the 2009-10 workplan developed and agreed.
In Ninevah, demonstrations of ZT, chisel cultivation and traditional cultivation with early/late planting using a local variety of barley, bread wheat, and durum wheat were established at 13 locations with 15 farmers. Lentil and chickpea were included at several sites. Rainfall (230-740mm) and harvests were good at 11 locations. Demonstrations covered 168 ha, with 56ha of ZT.
Three farmers grew 1025ha of ZT using their locally-modified modified Rama or John Shearer seeders. Thirteen farmers grew nearly 700ha of ZT crops using 3 Syrian 4m-wide trailed ZT tine seeders and one Syrian 4m-wide trailed ZT disc seeder. Overall, about 1800ha of ZT crops were grown by 31 farmers in Ninevah.
Field days were held in Ninevah at four demonstration sites. The first was arranged by farmers involved in ZT seeder modification at Nimroud on 20 February 10 (25 farmers-staff). Others were arranged by DOA at Mahalabia on 20 April 10 (31 farmers-staff), Telkief on 6 May 10 (42 farmers-staff) and Alshekhanon on 13 May 10 (80 farmers-staff).
In farmer demonstrations with collaborators in northern Syria, some 200- 250 farmers established about 8,000-10,000ha of ZT crop. Field days were held at Salamiya on 20 April (200 participants), Kamishley on 22 April (250) and Jarjanaz on 28 April (350).
Demonstrations and field days were used in training visits by Iraqi scientists and farmers, to inspect and discuss ZT activities with Syrian researchers, extension officers and farmers. Many Iraqis initially sceptical about ZT, low seed rates and early planting were very positive by the end of their visits.
In Ninevah, 54 research trials were conducted under the germplasm and crop management research objectives. The University of Mosul and State Board of Agricultural Research Ninevah established 41 trials: 28 on evaluation of elite lines and varieties of wheat, barley, chickpea, lentil, vetch, lathyrus, saltbush, safflower, oats and peas; 13 on crop management involving mixtures, rotations, polymer gel, hardpan amelioration and IPM. Trials generally grew well with harvesting in May/June.
At ICARDA, 14 trials for technology refinement/verification and Iraqi scientist and farmer training were conducted on: crop and variety performance under ZT and CC; local seeder performance; time, seed rate and depth of sowing; comparison of local ZT seeders; evaluation of alternative crops (oilseeds, oats, peas); and increasing wheat frequency in wheat-lentil-camelina rotations. All trials established and grew well with 270mm of rain. Growth was consistently better from ZT than CC and early than late sowing. Locally-made ZT seeders performed well. Cereals and legumes seemed to do best when planted early with 100kg/ha of seed planted at 4-8cm depth. Trials were harvested in May/June.
Experience in 2008-09 with the first 3 local Syrian-made ZT seeders by farmers and researchers identified needs for stronger, wider, trailed or 3PL seeders with more-widely spaced tines and press wheels. Seven new models (10 units) were made 2009-10 in collaboration with El Bab, Qabbasin and Kamishley manufacturers. Four seeders were sent to Ninevah for evaluation and use in farmer demonstrations. These have worked well with several requiring some adjustment and strengthening.
In Ninevah, was not possible to engage local manufacturers in ZT seeder fabrication. However, three local farmers, one the owner of the Nimroud demonstration site, continued innovative ZT modification and experimentation with local seeders, developing and testing robust and effective tines and narrow points in collaboration with Australian specialists. The farmers organised and funded a successful field day on 20 February attended by 25 farmers-scientists, showing and describing their positive experiences with ZT seeder modification and ZT crops. This farmer leadership in developing, testing, demonstrating and promoting modified ZT seeders is thought by project leaders to be a first for Ninevah/Iraq, and represents a major outcome and impact from the project.
There were major efforts in Ninevah to develop on-farm seed production. Foundation seed production of bread wheat, durum wheat and barley varieties was commenced at Rashidiya RS. Some 225ha of wheat (15 vars) and barley (4 vars) was grown in 10 locations by 21 seed production farmers; these will form the foundation of project-led village-based seed production enterprises.
In capacity enhancement at ICARDA, there were 77 Iraqi scientist and technician training visits with 47 participating in 12 formal training courses and 30 in the annual meeting where one Australian collaborator gave a seminar on climate change. The training remained targeted, with Australian partners delivering 3 of the courses, and focused on specific areas related to the project: Socio-economic planning and evaluation; GIS landuse/cover mapping; Crop management and post harvest operations in quality seed production; ZT plot seeder assembly, operation and maintenance; Advanced design and analysis of experiments; Best practices for collecting and conserving genetic resources; Participatory extension; Iraqi farmers ZT study visit; Variety identification and maintenance; Data management, ANOVA, regression: Excel and Genstat; GIS/Remote sensing; ZT and agronomy research experience. In addition, 14 collaborating Syrian scientists also participated in some of these courses.
There were two very significant visits, one by 18 Iraqi and 14 Syrian farmers, and one by 16 Iraqi and 8 Syrian extension officers, to inspect and discuss ZT research, farmer experiences with ZT, and ZT seeder fabrication across northern Syria. The groups attended three major field days with 200-350 participants in Salamiya, Kamishley and Jarjanaz. These visits greatly enhanced knowledge of ZT and effective ways to undertake participatory R, D and E with demonstrations and field days.
Seven trainees travelled to Australia on study visits focused on ZT, hay and seed production at UniAdelaide (3 participants), soil and plant nutrition at AgWA in Albany (1 participant), weed management at UniAdelaide (2 participants) and a PhD on conservation cropping at UniWA (1 participant).
During the year, project findings and research and demonstration trials were inspected and discussed with 175 farmers and staff at field days in Iraq. In Syria, 800 farmers and staff attended project field days in Salamiya, Idleb and Kamishley. At ICARDA, 100 Iraqi project staff and 300 visitors inspected and/or discussed project research trials. These visits exposed the project and ZT technology widely in the region and beyond. As an example, the Minister for Agriculture from Lebanon visited in mid-May 2010 and was surprised and impressed that crops could be grown with ZT and stubble retention; he has since requested specifications of project-developed ZT seeders and manufacturer details and plans to purchase seeders to promote ZT R&D in Lebanon.
The project generated considerable publicity and media coverage in Australia, with three articles published in development magazines and many reports in the rural press and on ABC radio and TV, including features on Late Night Live, Bush Telegraph and Landline. Detailed project information including project documents, reports and presentations is available through the ICARDA web site (http://www.icarda.cgiar.org/ACIAR/Index.htm).
Since ZT technology was first exposed and introduced into Iraq by the previous project in 2006-07, the known area of ZT crops has increased to 1,800ha in 2009-10.In project-related development in Syria where the technology was similarly little known or tested, total ZT area from project interactions was about 8,000-10,000ha in 2009-10. A further 700ha of ZT crops was grown in research and development projects involving Syrian research and extension groups. ICARDA grew about 200ha of ZT crops in trials and rotation/seed production areas. The on-going increase in awareness, research and development on the technology, the keen involvement of manufacturers and farmers in ZT seeder fabrication and testing and taking up ZT, and the higher yields and lower costs being experienced, provide a good foundation and confidence for wider adoption and impact. The more favourable year in 2009-10 has encouraged farmer enthusiasm and confidence in Ninevah and Syria.

The project aims to increase crop productivity, profitability and sustainability in the drylands of northern Iraq through development, evaluation and promotion of conservation cropping technologies involving zero-tillage, stubble mulching, improved crop cultivars and better crop management. Project activity is focussed in Ninevah Governorate.
The objectives are:
1. To demonstrate and promote uptake of "best-bet" improved varieties and crop management systems for wheat, barley and pulse and forage legumes
2. To evaluate and select new, improved germplasm of wheat, barley and pulse and forage legumes for promotion in demonstration programs
3. To evaluate and select new, improved crop management technologies for promotion in demonstration programs
4. To facilitate agricultural planning and development through utilisation of GIS and crop modelling
5. To develop, evaluate and promote efficient and sustainable local seed production and supply systems
6. To monitor and evaluate adoption and impacts of project technologies, and identify enabling policy options to enhance uptake by farmers
7. To enhance capacity of Iraqi research and extension programs to develop and promote improved conservation cropping technologies.
The second project reporting/planning meeting was held at ICARDA on 19-23 September 2010, with 45 participants: 30 from Iraq, 3 from Australia and 12 from ICARDA. 2008-09 activities and achievements were presented and the 2009-10 workplan developed/agreed.
In Ninevah, demonstrations of ZT versus traditional cultivation with high and low seed rates with barley, bread wheat and durum wheat were established at 13 locations with 13 farmers. Chickpea was included at the Al Kosh site. Rainfall varied from 123 to 547mm with harvests good in 10 locations. Demonstrations covered 168 ha, with 161ha of ZT.
Numbers of farmers and areas of ZT outside the demonstrations were as follows:
- 20 farmers grew 5135ha of ZT using their modified local seeders
- 1 farmer grew 30ha of ZT using a new ZT seeder made by farmers/Riad Hamdoun Engineering Mosul
- 6 farmers grew 483ha of ZT crops using the three 4m-wide trailed ZT tine seeders from Syria
- area grown using 14 new Syrian seeders funded by USA project in Twajna, Hamdania unreported
Overall, 6000ha of ZT crops were grown by 54 farmers in Ninevah. About 80% of this area was actual adoption, by farmers using their own or a rented/borrowed ZT seeder.
Field days were held in Ninevah at demonstration sites in Al Namroud on 14 May, Al Kosh on 15-6 May and Tel Kief on 23-24 May, with some 120 farmers and technicians attending from Ninevah and neighbouring Anbar, Kirkuk and Wasit Governorates. There were presentations and inspections of ZT demonstrations with wheat, barley, lentil, chickpea and lentil; seed rate comparisons; and new oat and pea crop introductions. Farmers were very interested in local ZT seeders and the excellent performance of ZT crops.
In linked participatory extension in Syria, farmer demonstrations were established in 11 locations across north and west Syria. Some 450+ farmers established 15,000+ha of ZT crops. About 70% of this area was actual adoption, by farmers using their own or a rented or borrowed ZT seeder. The rest was sown with local ZT seeders provided without cost or charge by ICARDA, Aga Khan Foundation and Aleppo Agricultural Machinery Center.
Autumn field days were held in Syria in October-November at 9 Aga Khan on-farm demonstration sites at planting of ZT/CC treatments. A spring field day planned on 3 May for the Extension Training Course was cancelled due to security concerns and replaced with visits to Aga Khan farmers and the GCSAR Research Station in Salamiya.
Some ZT farmer fields, as well as research trials at ICARDA, were used during training courses involving Iraqi and Syrian researchers, extension officers and farmers, and for many visitors, to inspect and discuss ZT. It was a first exposure for many to trials and demonstrations on crop management issues such as ZT, low seed rates and early planting and they were impressed by possibilities for improved yields and reduced costs.
In Ninevah, 33 research trials were conducted, with 23 at UniMosul and SBAR on evaluation of elite lines and varieties of wheat, barley, chickpea, lentil, faba bean, vetch, lathyrus, oats and peas and 10 at UniMosul on crop management involving weed surveys, hardpan amelioration, press wheels, ZT vs CC/herbicide comparisons in wheat and irrigation-fertilizer responses in peas. Trials grew well with harvesting in May/June.
At ICARDA, 14 trials for ZT technology verification/refinement and Iraqi scientist and farmer training were conducted on: crop and variety performance under ZT and CC; time, seed rate and depth of sowing; evaluation of alternative crops (oilseeds, oats, peas); and increasing wheat frequency in wheat-lentil-camelina rotations. All trials established and grew well with 259mm of rain. Growth was generally better from ZT than CC and early than late sowing. Cereals and legumes did best with early planting, 50-100kg/ha seed rate, 4-8cm seeding depth, and press wheels. Trials were harvested in May/June.
In Iraq, local ZT seeder fabrication continued with the Ninevah farmer group Eighteen ZT modification kits costing $1,200 were made with 17 fitted to farmer seeders and one given to the University of Mosul for teaching. These 17 new seeders, plus the 3 prototypes made earlier, were used to sow 5135ha of ZT crops. A new 2.3m ZT seeder for small farmers was fabricated by the farmer group together with Riad Hamdoun Engineering in Mosul and used to sow 30ha on one farmer field. The farmer group set up and registered the "Mosul Conservation Farming Group" and hopes to interact with other No Till Farmer's Associations.
In Syria, collaboration on ZT seeder fabrication was expanded to include 3 more manufacturers in north eastern Syria, who all produced excellent ZT seeders. There are now 7 manufacturers in Syria, which provides more diversity and locations for purchase and maintenance by Syrian and Iraqi farmers and projects. Between 2008 to mid-2011, Syrian manufacturers had made 65 ZT seeders for local and regional clients.
Major efforts by DOA, UniMosul and SBAR to develop on-farm seed production continued. Spike/line selection and production of foundation seed of wheat and barley varieties continued. New varieties from ICARDA were introduced into the program. The 21 VBSE farmer seed growers planted 100t of certified durum wheat purchased with funds provided by the Ninevah Governor and 83t of seed produced in 2009-10 and expect, with access to irrigation, to harvest over 1820t of seed. This would exceed the project target of 9 VBSE groups producing 100t of seed.
Major efforts were also made to undertake the socio-economic survey on adoption and impact of project technologies (especially ZT) and technical and financial aspects of farmer seed production. Following the training course on surveying and data collection at ICARDA in February, participating UniMosul and DOA staff arranged and coordinated surveys to collect data from 500 farmers, from demonstration locations and from seed producers. Surveying is proceeding following harvest and, once data is assembled in Ninevah, it will be analysed and evaluated in Baghdad.
In capacity enhancement at ICARDA, there were 73 Iraqi scientist and technician training visits with 43 participating in 6 formal training courses and 30 in the annual meeting where one Australian collaborator gave a seminar on achievements of the ACIAR Project on enhancing profitability, production and quality of wheat in India. This training, with Australian partners delivering two of the courses and an Iraqi partner delivering one, was focused on specific priority areas for the project: Photography and presentations; Seed enterprises and marketing; Socio-economic surveying and evaluation; ZT seeder design, fabrication and operation; Variety identification, maintenance and seed production; and Participatory extension. In addition, 24 scientists, farmers and machinery manufacturers from Syria and North Africa also participated in the ZT and extension courses. The mix of trainees from different countries provides rich exchange of experiences and ideas.
Two visits, one by 9 Iraqi, 13 Syrian, and 5 North African/Turkish scientists and seeder manufacturers for ZT seeder training, and the other by 13 Iraqi and 6 Syrian extension officers for participatory extension training, which involved field visits to collaborating machinery manufacturers, farmers, extension offices and research stations, were valuable in enhancing knowledge of ZT seeders and effective participatory R, D and E.
Eleven Iraqis and 2 Syrians travelled to Australia on study visits and post-graduate training. After long delays, one PhD and 4 MSc students started English studies and research proposal development in January-February 2011 in preparation for enrolment at the Universities of Adelaide and Western Australia. Following English evaluation, it is clear that language training will take at least 12-18 months rather than the allowed 6 months.
Six Iraqi and 2 Syrian extension officers/researchers undertook an extension/zero tillage study visit to Western Australia in August/September 2010, visiting research and extension centres and participating in field days.
Unfortunately, 3 trainees who travelled in May-June 2010 to Australia on a weed management study visit to the University of Adelaide (2) and a conservation cropping PhD to the University of Western Australia (1) had difficulty settling into their studies and returned to Iraq in August, before training was completed.
Project activities and developments were communicated to scientists, farmers, students, policy makers and the public in many ways. ICARDA receives a large number of visitors each year; many were shown project R & D activities with selected groups also travelling outside ICARDA to visit local ZT seeder manufacturers and farmers adopting ZT.
The project generated considerable publicity and media coverage in Australia, following visits by journalists from the ABC and Cosmos Science magazine. Detailed project information including project documents, reports and presentations was updated on the ICARDA web site (http://www.icarda.cgiar.org/ACIAR/Index.htm).
The project collaborated with Syrian Extension and Research Directorates to develop an extension/demonstration film for TV to raise farmer awareness of conservation cropping and its benefits for local agriculture. The 18 minute film, in Arabic, is excellent and was broadcast regularly on Syrian TV before autumn planting. DVDs were distributed to Iraqi trainees and other visitors.
Since ZT technology was first exposed and introduced into Iraq by the previous project in 2006-07, the known area of ZT crops has increased to about 6,000ha in 2010-11. In project-related development in Syria where the technology was similarly little known or tested, total ZT area from project interactions was about 15,000ha in 2010-11. The on-going increase in awareness, research and development of the technology, the keen involvement of manufacturers and farmers in ZT seeder fabrication and testing and taking up ZT, and the higher yields and lower costs being experienced, provide a good foundation and confidence for wider adoption and impact. In Iraq, interest and visits from other Governorates are spreading ZT technology beyond Ninevah.
The project has greatly increased awareness and experience of ZT technology. The Ministries of Agriculture in both Iraq and Syria are considering adoption of conservation cropping as a major platform for future dryland cropping systems development.