The two high-yielding and disease-resistant varieties of chickpea, namely, Almaz (tested as FLIP97-530-CLIMAS) and Nafice (tested as FLIP97-503-CLIMAS), were derived from ICARDA chickpea breeding lines.

During the ceremony, Mr Chance said, "Since Ascochyta blight was first observed in WA in 1999, the chickpea area in the state had dropped from 80,000 hectares to 5,000 hectares, mostly affecting the smaller desi variety." He further said that "WA's first kabuli crop - a high value crop for human consumption in foods like hommos and falafel - was grown in 1994 and production and export had started expanding when it was all devastated by blight in 1999."

Nafice and Almaz were developed through collaborative efforts between the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA); the Aegean Agriculture Research Institute (AARI), Turkey; and the Centre for Legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture (CLIMA), Australia. Funds for the project were provided by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and the Council of Grain Grower Organizations Limited (COGGO).

Nafice, Arabic for very precious, has bigger seeds than Kaniva (Australian variety highly susceptible to Ascochyta blight) and Almaz; while Almaz, Arabic for diamond, is higher yielding. The two new varieties are well suited for winter sowing in regions of medium to high annual rainfall (400-700 millimeters) with neutral to alkaline soils, while mild spring conditions are favorable for seed filling. They have a semi-erect growth habit, with Almaz approximately 5cm taller than Kaniva; produce attractive beige-colored seeds with good cooking quality; and possess significant resistance to Ascochyta blight.

These growth characteristics impressed a West Mingenew farmer, Aiden Obst, who said: "It is great that they retain their height once they have ripened, which will make the harvesting process a lot easier." Another farmer from Irwin, Chris Gillam, said he has "been bulking up Almaz and it has showed excellent resistance to Ascochyta blight and good herbicide tolerance."

The development of these varieties was a joint effort between Dr Rajendra Malhotra, Senior Chickpea Breeder at ICARDA and Professor Kadambot Siddique, Director of CLIMA, and their teams.

Professor Siddique said that the new Ascochyta resistant kabuli chickpea varieties, with improved yield and large seed size, would provide greater confidence and a profitable pulse option. "Across Australia, these new disease-resistant varieties could increase kabuli production to 150,000 hectares, worth $100 million. To fully vaccinate the new varieties against Ascochyta blight, growers should follow Integrated Crop Management packages including one or two strategically timed fungicide sprays to maximize yield and prevent an increase in disease pressure."

Countries in West Asia, North Africa and the Indian sub-continent are the main consumers of kabuli chickpea. The nitrogen-fixing characteristic of chickpea benefits subsequent cereal and oilseed crops, which has reduced the requirement for increasingly expensive nitrogenous fertilizers. Chickpea crops can also provide economic benefits with high gross margins. On average, good quality kabuli chickpea fetches US$500-700 per tonne.

"Fungicides eat away at profits, but the new varieties require less fungicide treatments than the incumbent Kaniva. This considerably lowers the costs associated with growing the new varieties," said Professor Siddique.

Both varieties have been tested in South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria and West Australia and will be available to growers through the Council of Grain Grower Organizations Limited and the Australian Wheat Board seeds during the 2006 season.

Established in 1977, ICARDA serves the entire developing world for the improvement of barley, lentil, and faba bean; and dry-area developing countries for the on-farm management of water, improvement of nutrition and productivity of small ruminants (sheep and goats), and rehabilitation and management of rangelands. In the Central and West Asia and North Africa (CWANA) region, ICARDA is responsible for the improvement of durum and bread wheats, chickpea, pasture and forage legumes and farming systems; and for the protection and enhancement of the natural resource base of water, land, and biodiversity.

The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) is a strategic alliance of countries, international and regional organizations, and private foundations supporting15 international research centers that mobilizes cutting-edge science to promote sustainable development by reducing hunger and poverty, improving human nutrition and health, and protecting the environment.