Within the framework of SESRIC’s Agriculture and Food Security Capacity Building Programme (Agri-CaB), the Centre, in collaboration with the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industries Malaysia, organised a Training Course on “Enhancing Food Security through Efficient Irrigation Systems” on 23-25 August 2022 through an online video conferencing platform.

The training course was provided by competent experts from MARDI for the benefit of 91 experts and executives from Ministries and relevant national institutions in charge of agriculture and water resources management in 22 OIC Member Countries. Representatives from the relevant OIC Institutions, including the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS), the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and SESRIC, also delivered comprehensive presentations highlighting their efforts in this domain. The training course aimed at providing insights into water productivity and new technologies and innovations used in irrigation systems for wiser use of resources and food sustainability. Participants also availed of this opportunity to share their experiences on the subject from their respective countries and regions.

The training course started with the opening statement by H.E. Mr. Fadi Abdullah FARASIN, Assistant Director General of SESRIC, who highlighted the importance of making households more food secure through the eradication of hunger and malnutrition as underlined in both the UN SDGs and the OIC-2025 Programme of Action. Therefore, the challenge of food security is a critical issue for OIC countries since it affects the socio-economic developmental trajectory in both the short- and the long-term, he added. Mr. FARASIN also noted that the efficient use of water resources in agriculture through improving irrigation systems and techniques is one of the most urgent needs and prerequisites for sustainable agricultural development and food security in OIC countries, particularly in those water-scarce regions. Before concluding, he assured participants that SESRIC is ready to further cooperate with the relevant national, international, and OIC institutions to support and contribute to the efforts of the OIC Member Countries towards the development of their agricultural sector and addressing food security challenges in their respective countries and in the OIC region.

In her statement, Her Excellency Dr. Asfaliza RAMLI, Deputy Director General of the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI), stressed the importance of improving the efficiency of water production and water usage for agriculture purposes to meet the increasing food demand as the world population continue to grow in a faster pace. She also highlighted the challenges that need to be addressed for efficient agricultural water management, including poor distribution systems, excessive irrigation, and improper water management. Before concluding, Dr. RAMLI indicated that MARDI remains committed to sharing its knowledge, experience, and best practices with other OIC Member Countries to enhance their water management and irrigation systems.

SESRIC initiated its Agriculture and Food Security Capacity Building Programme (Agri-CaB) in 2011 in order to contribute to the efforts of the OIC Member Countries in achieving sustainable agricultural development and food security. The Programme aims to enhance the capacities of the relevant national institutions in a wide range of areas such as efficient techniques of land, water and livestock management, fisheries and aquaculture and food security. In addition, it serves as a platform where best practices and experiences can be shared and exchanged by relevant experts from the OIC Member Countries. For more information about the Agriculture and Food Security Capacity Building Programme (Agri-CaB) and its activities, please visit: https://www.sesric.org/cbp-agricab.php

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