Workshops & Programs

Research Associates Program 2023

10 September 2023 - 20 September 2023

Washington D.C, USA

The ICAC Research Associates Program for 2023 was conducted between 10-20 September 2023, in Washington DC and North Carolina. The program was announced on 9 March 2023, seeking applications from researchers. The response was substantial, with 109 applications received from 22 countries. Of these, 96 applications came from 17 member nations, and 13 applications were received from five non-member countries. Following the submission of the final list of candidates by the governments, 15 applicants were extended invitations to participate in the Researchers Associates program in accordance with the 'first-come, first-served' policy. Ultimately, 11 researchers from ten countries were able to participate in the program, as five candidates representing Argentina, Russia, Pakistan, Sudan, and Türkiye had to cancel their participation due to visa delays and approval issues.The list of researchers that attended the seminar is below:

Marcelo  Roberto Falco- Argentina
MD Fakhre Alam Ibne Tabib - Bangladesh
MD Kamrul Islam - Bangladesh
Jean Baptiste Gagre - Burkina Faso
Oumarou Balarabe - France
Manoj Kumar - India
Victória Chaquisse - Mozambique
Anna Kicinska Jakubowska - Poland
Calvin Knight - South Africa
Daemin Kim - South Korea
Renatus Laurent Luneja - Tanzania

The participants arrived in Washington, D.C., on September 10th. The training took place in two parts: one in Washington, D.C., and the other in North Carolina. From September 10th to 14th, researchers received training at the ICAC offices, which included presentations on country reports and discussions about recent developments in their respective cotton sectors. ICAC staff covered various topics, including the organization's history, global cotton market structure, trade, pricing, textile demand, World Cotton Day, and the ICAC Dashboard. Other sessions featured discussions on climate change, regenerative agriculture, high-yield practices, and virtual reality films.

Notable guest speakers included World Bank experts and a representative from the Women in Cotton (WIC) Committee. During the training, Mr. Dawit Kelemework Mekonnen, Senior Agriculture Economist, provided insights into global commodity market trends. Ms. Kim Hanna, a founder member of the Women in Cotton Committee, spoke about women's roles in the cotton industry and the importance of the initiative.

The participants visited the USDA on September 15^th, followed by interactions with the cotton team focusing on cotton production and trade in both the US and the global context. Subsequently, on September 17^th, the participants proceeded to North Carolina (NC).

In North Carolina, the team first visited Cotton Incorporated in Cary. There, they engaged with eminent scientists involved in pioneering cotton sustainability projects. The researchers also toured advanced laboratories, gaining insights into the latest fiber processing technologies. The agenda also included visiting the Tidewater Research Station and two cotton farms in NC.

The team concluded their journey by returning to Washington, DC, on the evening of September 20th. After this, the participants departed for their respective countries on September 21^st, 2023.