ICBA Director General Receives Uzbekistan’s “Leader of Innovative Ideas” Badge

Dr. Tarifa Alzaabi, Director General of the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA), received the “Leader of Innovative Ideas” honorary badge during InnoWeek 2026 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

For the first time, the honorary badge has been awarded to a recipient from outside Uzbekistan. Presented by the Agency for Innovative Development and the Central Council of the Youth Union of Uzbekistan, the recognition honours contributions to the development and practical application of innovative ideas and technologies.

The award reflects ICBA’s efforts, in partnership with Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) and Uzbekistan’s Agency for Innovative Development, to translate agricultural research into practical solutions through the “Farmers’ and Agro-Entrepreneurs Accelerator”.

Implemented under the ADFD-funded project “Development of Sustainable Agricultural Production Systems in Degraded Areas of Karakalpakstan”, the programme aims to promote sustainable agricultural production and develop crops and products suited to local conditions.

Dr. Alzaabi expressed her appreciation for the recognition, highlighting the contributions of ICBA’s team and partners in Uzbekistan, as well as ADFD’s support in connecting scientific solutions with local development priorities.

She emphasised ICBA’s commitment to developing crops and production systems suited to arid and saline environments while equipping farmers with the knowledge and skills needed to improve agricultural productivity and livelihoods.

The accelerator programme brings together development finance, research expertise and local knowledge, helping participants transform crops into market-oriented products, expand income opportunities and strengthen the participation of women and young people in the agricultural economy.

The programme’s graduating cohort included 207 farmers and agro-entrepreneurs, of whom 122 were women, representing approximately 59 per cent of graduates. Delivered over four weeks, the programme featured 16 training modules covering agricultural processing, product quality, packaging, business planning and market access.

At the graduation ceremony held at Nukus Youth Technopark, participants presented 25 innovative concepts, including food and feed products and soil amendments developed using crops introduced by ICBA. The creators of ten outstanding concepts were recognised, paving the way for local enterprises based on climate-resilient crops.

The recognition also highlights the role of Emirati women in leading research institutions and advancing international scientific cooperation, reflecting the UAE’s commitment to empowering women in education, professional development and leadership.