Tashkent:Dr. Tarifa Alzaabi, Director-General of the International Centre for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA), has been awarded the 'Leader of Innovative Ideas' honorary badge at InnoWeek 2026 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
According to Wam, this accolade was presented by the Agency for Innovative Development and the Central Council of the Youth Union of Uzbekistan. The badge honors contributions to the development and application of innovative ideas and technologies, established by a resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
The recognition highlights ICBA's collaboration with partners to implement agricultural research into practical solutions in Uzbekistan. This includes the 'Farmers' and Agro-Entrepreneurs Accelerator', supported by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), in conjunction with the Agency for Innovative Development under Uzbekistan's Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation. The programme is part of an ADFD-funded project to develop sustainable agricultural systems in the degraded areas of Karakalpakstan.
Dr. Alzaabi expressed pride in receiving the recognition, acknowledging the efforts of the ICBA team and partners, as well as the support from ADFD in aligning scientific solutions with local development priorities. She emphasized ICBA's role in developing crops and production systems for arid and saline environments and equipping farmers with essential skills to enhance production and livelihoods.
The accelerator programme integrates development finance, research expertise, and local knowledge, enabling participants to transform crops into marketable products. This initiative expands income opportunities and strengthens the involvement of women and youth in the agricultural sector.
The award also underscores the significant role of Emirati women in leading research institutions and promoting international scientific cooperation. Dr. Alzaabi noted the opportunities provided by the UAE in education and leadership, allowing Emirati women to contribute to community service and development challenges.
The programme's graduating cohort included 207 farmers and agro-entrepreneurs, with women making up approximately 59 percent. Over four weeks, participants engaged in 16 training modules covering agricultural processing, product quality, packaging, business planning, and market access. At the graduation ceremony in Nukus Youth Technopark, 25 innovative concepts were presented, with 10 outstanding ideas recognized for their potential to establish local enterprises utilizing climate-resilient crops.