Knowledge Management Portal

This blog discusses the use of ontologies to simplify complex systems and visualize change in organizational contexts, particularly within the Theory of Change framework. Ontologies, structured representations of knowledge, create a network of classes and relationships, providing a shared understanding of terms and facilitating data integration. In Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL), ontologies enhance the precision and clarity of initiatives, capturing interdependencies and improving understanding of program dynamics. They contribute to a common language, fostering communication among stakeholders and streamlining the evaluation process.

An international collaboration of world-leading scientists led by ICARDA Morocco has delivered six ground-breaking new durum wheat and barley varieties tolerant to increasingly severe droughts ravaging the region.

'Jabal' is a new durum wheat variety released officially in Morocco because of its excellent yield potential in dryland areas, disease resistance and superior end-use quality. 'Jabal' is registered in the database of released cultivars this year by the Office National de Sécurité Sanitaire des Produits Alimentaires (ONSSA), Morocco. 'Jabal' was descended from the cross Korifla/AegSpeltoidesSyr//Mrb5 developed by the International Center of Agricultural in the Dry Areas (ICARDA). The new crop wild relative (CWR) derived elite 'Jabal' has superior grain yield compared to 'Karim', the second most grown cultivar in Morocco. 'Jabal' exhibited a good resistance to Septoria triticea blotch (Zymoseptoria tritici), and leaf rust (Puccinia triticina). The new released variety has higher grain protein, zinc content, Mixo score and larger grain size over 'Karim'. Thus, 'Jabal' should be effective in Morocco and neighboring areas experiencing severe drought stress, for bringing significant remunerative return to both producers and industries.

Jabal is a durum wheat variety obtained from crossing to a wild grass collected in Syria, that risked many times to never see the end of the tunnel, but in February 2022 it was finally released for cultivation in Morocco. This climate-change-resistant variety adapted well to various environmental conditions, particularly in drought-prone areas of Morocco, and provided a significant yield advantage in farmers' fields.

It can be challenging to understand how international organizations work together to affect climate policy and what binds these state actors and scientific organizations to action or progress toward meeting the goals they collectively set. In this blog we summarize the history of COP27 and its role in pollinator health, and how our project fits in the picture.

Nearly one year ago, we provided smartphones and digital training to a group of beekeepers in the Amhara region with limited or no smartphone experience. A few weeks ago, we met with them again, witnessing improved digital skills, and provided training on applying these skills to use the Amharic version of the Beekeeper’s Companion app.

In this blog we explore key challenges to overcoming biodiversity loss, and how supporting beekeepers through a digital hive management app offers a solution.

On World Bee Day, we celebrate our relationship with the bee and the cultural, spiritual, and agricultural impacts bees have on our lives. Through our public-private partnerships and global technology development projects, we are contributing to the preservation and protection of honeybees, while amplifying the message that saving pollinator populations is a collective mission and responsibility.