The Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) has signed a $2.56 million grant agreement with the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) to support the development and dissemination of climate-resilient crop varieties. The agreement was finalized on Wednesday in Kuwait and aims to enhance food security and promote sustainable agricultural development across Arab countries.

The project seeks to modernize and accelerate genetic improvement programs for crops, focusing on developing varieties capable of adapting to environmental challenges associated with climate change, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. Planned to be implemented over a period of approximately 24 months, the initiative will combine the creation of improved crop varieties with technical capacity-building, applied field trials, and research support to facilitate the adoption of these varieties in target environments.

KFAED described the integrated approach as a means to significantly boost agricultural productivity and address the pressing challenges that climate change poses to food security across the region. The initiative reflects the Fund’s broader commitment to strengthening food security through innovative and sustainable agricultural practices.

This agreement represents a continuation of KFAED’s longstanding collaboration with ICARDA, which began in 2011. With the latest grant, the total amount of financial support provided by KFAED to ICARDA has reached $6.16 million. The partnership supports ongoing efforts to improve agricultural output and resilience in Arab countries.

The grant agreement was signed by Rashid Al-Badr, Acting Director General of KFAED, and Dr. Nizar Haddad, Director General of ICARDA. Both organizations highlighted the importance of the project in contributing to the region’s capacity to adapt to climatic changes while securing food production for future generations.