The 10th International Barley Genetics Symposium Begins at the BA
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Alexandria—
The 10th International Barley Genetics Symposium began on Sunday, 6 April 2008, at the Library of Alexandria. Over the next five days, more than 200 scientists from research institutions, universities and industry all over the world will be discussing the current trends of barley genetics research and production improvement, and deliberating on strategies for barley to combate threats posed by climate change, global warming and biofuels.
The Symposium is jointly organized by the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) based in Syria and the BA, with the support of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Agriculture Research Center of Egypt, and OPEC Fund for International Development.
Dr. Jaroslav Spunar, President of the International Organizing Committee of the Symposium, welcomed all the participants and briefed the audience on the history and the importance of the IBGS. He stated that the Symposium is being held for the first time in the African continent and that he expects that it will reveal many new scientific advances adding immeasurably to our knowledge in barley genetics and related areas.
Dr. Ismail Serageldin, Director of the Library of Alexandria, mentioned in his address that feed, food and fuel had emerged as the major issuses and challenges in agriculture and added that scientists should focus on genetic research to meet these challenges. He also provided perspectives for future focus on modern biotechnology and its importance to cope with major challenges facing the world.
Dr Mohamed El Nahrawy, Director, Field Crop Research of the Agriculture Research Center of Egypt, stated that agriculture research has improved the country's self sufficiency. Over the years there has been nearly 32 % increase in agricultural land and some 29 % increase in crop areas.
Dr. Mahmoud Solh, Director General of ICARDA, mentined that today the world is facing many challenges that threaten food security, equitable development and sustainability of our natural resources. He maintained that dry areas are particularly vulnerable to these challenges and that crops are the only possible option in very dry and saline conditions. ICARDA has developed 190 improved varieties of barley and these have been officially released in 45 countries.
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