Reconnecting with CGIAR Scientists in Rabat, Morocco at ICARDA

Swapping recipes for bread-making is not something one would expect in the hallways of the Rabat, Morocco CGIAR International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA). For the first time since the Independent Science for Development Council (ISDC) was established in 2019, ISDC visited as a group a CGIAR center in conjunction with the 19th Meeting of the System Council (SC19) and ISDC Science Forum and working meeting the week of 15 October 2023. ISDC members were impressed with the hospitality, professionalism, and passion for research of ICARDA and the Moroccan National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA).

ISDC is an external, impartial standing panel of eight experts in science and development subject matters that provides independent strategic advice to the funders of CGIAR and the broader organization. Members had a full schedule in Rabat, including an ICARDA facility visit where ISDC interacted with scientists and learned about current research. The visit exposed ISDC to three laboratories in Rabat: Milling and Baking, Integrated Pest Management, and Seed Health.