AARINENA Activity ReportAARINENA Activity Report

2006/20072006/2007Presented by Ibrahim Hamdan to:

GFAR Statutory meetings

Peking China 28, November 2007

AARINENA MISSIONAARINENA MISSION

To contribute to the enhancement of agricultural and To contribute to the enhancement of agricultural and rural development in the WANA region through fostering rural development in the WANA region through fostering agricultural research and technology development.agricultural research and technology development.

To promote the exchange of scientific and technical To promote the exchange of scientific and technical experience and information.experience and information.

To strengthen collaboration within and outside the region To strengthen collaboration within and outside the region to achieve greater degree of selfto achieve greater degree of self--reliance in food and reliance in food and agriculture.agriculture.

AARINENA Work PlanAARINENA Work PlanAARINENA 10AARINENA 10thth General General Conference adopted the following Conference adopted the following work plan for 2006/2007:work plan for 2006/2007:

11--Strengthening Regional Agricultural InformationStrengthening Regional Agricultural Information System (RAIS):System (RAIS):Enhancing AARINENA Web SiteEnhancing AARINENA Web SitePublication of AARINENA NewsletterPublication of AARINENA NewsletterImplementation of RAIS Priority Projects and Implementation of RAIS Priority Projects and Publication of Success StoriesPublication of Success Stories

22-- Networks:Networks:oo Supporting the activities of commodity networks (DateSupporting the activities of commodity networks (Date--Palm, Cotton, Olive and Palm, Cotton, Olive and

Medicinal & Aromatic Plants)Medicinal & Aromatic Plants)oo Establishing New Networks on Water Use Efficiency and BiotechnEstablishing New Networks on Water Use Efficiency and Biotechnology ology oo Support the initiative of the Global Crop Biodiversity Trust forSupport the initiative of the Global Crop Biodiversity Trust for the development the development

of a Regional Conservation Strategy for the WANA Regionof a Regional Conservation Strategy for the WANA Region

33--Support to the Global Post Harvest Initiative in linking farmeSupport to the Global Post Harvest Initiative in linking farmers to rs to market and strengthen Intermarket and strengthen Inter--regional Collaborationregional Collaboration

Highlights of the ProgressHighlights of the Progress

Main achievements:Main achievements:1) Website1) Websiteo Enhancement of Arabic version of the website in collaboration with FAO.o Developing the Western Asia Agricultural Researchers Information System.o Developing the Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Webpage on the Web site

2) A2) A survey conducted to Identify the status of human resources in survey conducted to Identify the status of human resources in the region. the region. The results indicated : The results indicated :

a. Urgent need for technical training support (100% of the countries) b. Lack of qualified technical staff c. AGRIS Resource Centers are only available in 40% of the responding

countries..d.d. Identifying the NAIS status within member countries Identifying the NAIS status within member countries e.e. Identifying Information Focal Units in member countriesIdentifying Information Focal Units in member countries

II-- Regional Agricultural Information System (RAIS)Regional Agricultural Information System (RAIS)

33--WeaknessesWeaknesseslack of the development and uplack of the development and up--dating ICT dating ICT systems. systems. Low ICT awareness (income disparity, different Low ICT awareness (income disparity, different attitudes toward ICT, competition, and attitudes toward ICT, competition, and duplication)duplication)lack of clear and precise policy and strategy lack of clear and precise policy and strategy regarding the development of the ICT sector regarding the development of the ICT sector Lack of capacity building (Lack of investment Lack of capacity building (Lack of investment and planning of training opportunities) and planning of training opportunities) Poor communications at the subPoor communications at the sub--regional levelregional level

4- Development of AARINENA-RAIS Information systems and information portals ::

AA-- The project The project on on ““National Agricultural Research Information National Agricultural Research Information Management SystemManagement System”” (NARIMS)(NARIMS) was developed in was developed in collaboration with collaboration with Central Lab for Agricultural Expert Systems(CLAES) Egypt with the support of GFAR:(CLAES) Egypt with the support of GFAR:

This project is A Web based biThis project is A Web based bi--lingual information system lingual information system aimed at capturing and disseminating information on research aimed at capturing and disseminating information on research institutions, researchers, publications, and projects.institutions, researchers, publications, and projects.

It consists of:It consists of:ii--FrontFront--end that enables data browsing and searchingend that enables data browsing and searchingii-Back-end that enables data management that enables data management

It will perform at National LevelIt will perform at National Level

BB--Near East Rural & Agricultural Near East Rural & Agricultural Knowledge and Information Network Knowledge and Information Network

(NERAKIN)(NERAKIN)

NERAKIN was developed in collaboration with FAO:NERAKIN was developed in collaboration with FAO:It is a platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration for It is a platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration for Agricultural Research and Development (ARD) for target Agricultural Research and Development (ARD) for target groups and stakeholders on a regional level.groups and stakeholders on a regional level.NERAKINNERAKIN is is a Multilingual informationa Multilingual information system (Arabic, system (Arabic, English, French, and Farsi)English, French, and Farsi)..AARINENA will facilitate its implementation AARINENA will facilitate its implementation NERAKIN Will perform at regional level with the focus on the NERAKIN Will perform at regional level with the focus on the thematic regional network modulethematic regional network module

Technical cooperation networks have become a generic Technical cooperation networks have become a generic model for the establishment of functional mechanisms model for the establishment of functional mechanisms for collaboration and enhancement of communication for collaboration and enhancement of communication and exchange of experiences among different countries and exchange of experiences among different countries in the region and other regions.in the region and other regions.

Networks were found to reduce duplicative efforts among Networks were found to reduce duplicative efforts among national institutions in several countries and to provide a national institutions in several countries and to provide a costcost--effective instrument for information exchange and effective instrument for information exchange and institution building.institution building.

IIII-- AARINENA Technical AARINENA Technical Networks

Highlights of Network ActivitiesHighlights of Network Activities

11-- DateDate--Palm Global Network (DGPN):Palm Global Network (DGPN):

Proceedings of Third International Date Palm Proceedings of Third International Date Palm Conference were published.Conference were published.The establishment of the Khalifah The establishment of the Khalifah International Date Palm Award, which was International Date Palm Award, which was officially announced by the UAE Ministry of officially announced by the UAE Ministry of Presidential Affairs (Decree No. 2/2007 dated Presidential Affairs (Decree No. 2/2007 dated 01/07/2007). 01/07/2007).

Networks Cont.Networks Cont.

22-- InterInter--Regional Cotton Network in Asia and North AFRICA Regional Cotton Network in Asia and North AFRICA ((INCANA):InINCANA):In Collaboration with APAARI and CACARICollaboration with APAARI and CACARI

INCANA held an interINCANA held an inter--regional traveling Workshop on Hybrid and regional traveling Workshop on Hybrid and BT Cotton in India in November, 2005 and held another traveling BT Cotton in India in November, 2005 and held another traveling workshop on IPM in Syria , August 2006.workshop on IPM in Syria , August 2006.

INCANA held its third Steering Committee Meeting with the INCANA held its third Steering Committee Meeting with the support of AARINENA & APAARI hosted by GCSAR, Syria, June 07:support of AARINENA & APAARI hosted by GCSAR, Syria, June 07:

Reorganized its technical working groups andReorganized its technical working groups andPrepared work plan for 2007/2008 Prepared work plan for 2007/2008

Participants from the three regions participated these activitiParticipants from the three regions participated these activities.es.

Networks Cont.Networks Cont.

33-- Regional Olive Network activitiesRegional Olive Network activities

The olive GAP manual was completed and under publication.The olive GAP manual was completed and under publication.

The Network jointly with ESCORENA published The Network jointly with ESCORENA published OLEA OLEA Information Bulletins No. 25 and No. 26 July 2007 on Olive.Information Bulletins No. 25 and No. 26 July 2007 on Olive.

The network will jointly collaborate with ISHS to hold The network will jointly collaborate with ISHS to hold ““VI VI International Symposium on Olive GrowingInternational Symposium on Olive Growing””, scheduled for , scheduled for September 2008 in Portugal .September 2008 in Portugal .

Networks Cont.Networks Cont.

44-- Regional Medicinal & Aromatic Plants Network Regional Medicinal & Aromatic Plants Network Activities:Activities:

The first annual meeting for MAP was held in Malta:The first annual meeting for MAP was held in Malta:The meeting elected the chairman of the board and new The meeting elected the chairman of the board and new secretary and reorganized its 4 technical working groups. secretary and reorganized its 4 technical working groups. Prepared work plan for 2006/2007 Prepared work plan for 2006/2007

The network cosponsored the 12The network cosponsored the 12thth International International Conference and Exhibition in collaboration with FAO and Conference and Exhibition in collaboration with FAO and the Egyptian Society for the producers, manufactures & the Egyptian Society for the producers, manufactures & Exporters of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants November Exporters of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants November 2006, Cairo2006, Cairo--EgyptEgypt..

Networks Cont.Networks Cont.

55-- Regional Water Use Efficiency NetworkRegional Water Use Efficiency Network

The establishment meeting held at ICARDA HQ November 2006 ; The establishment meeting held at ICARDA HQ November 2006 ; Selected a coordinator and technical working groups .Selected a coordinator and technical working groups .adopted preparing regional ATLAS in collaboration with FAO thaadopted preparing regional ATLAS in collaboration with FAO that t include:include:

11-- Irrigated areas at all scales of geographical distribution.Irrigated areas at all scales of geographical distribution.22-- Types and cultivated areas of major irrigated crops.Types and cultivated areas of major irrigated crops.33-- Crop yields and water requirements per unit landCrop yields and water requirements per unit land areaarea..44-- Agro meteorological data.Agro meteorological data.

Proceedings of the Expert Consultation on WUE Network in the WAProceedings of the Expert Consultation on WUE Network in the WANA region NA region under publication by ICARDAunder publication by ICARDA

New Regional NetworksNew Regional Networks

66--Agricultural Agricultural BiotechnolgyBiotechnolgy Network: Network: An expert Consultation meeting for the establishment of RegionalAn expert Consultation meeting for the establishment of Regional

Agricultural Biotechnology Network is planned 15Agricultural Biotechnology Network is planned 15--1616thth of December of December 2007 at ARC Egypt with the support of GFAR, FAO and ICARDA2007 at ARC Egypt with the support of GFAR, FAO and ICARDA

77--Plant Genetic Resources (PGR) Network:Plant Genetic Resources (PGR) Network:

A Concept paper for A Concept paper for ““regional Collaboration for Conservation and regional Collaboration for Conservation and Sustainable Plant Genetic Resources in WANASustainable Plant Genetic Resources in WANA”” was prepared in was prepared in collaboration with BI.collaboration with BI.The paper was distributed to all members and was posted on The paper was distributed to all members and was posted on AARINENA Web for comments and suggestions .AARINENA Web for comments and suggestions .Comments & suggestions were incorporated into the document for Comments & suggestions were incorporated into the document for adoption by the next AARINENA 11adoption by the next AARINENA 11thth General ConferenceGeneral Conference

Geographical Distribution of Geographical Distribution of AARINENA NetworksAARINENA Networks

Tunisia Olive Network

JordanMedicinal &

Aromatic Plants

UAEDate Palm

Global Network

IranInt. Reg.

Cotton Network

N.A. (Maghreb) Sub-Region

Mashreq Sub-Region Arabian Peninsula

Sub-Region

Wes Asia Sub-Region

Morocco WUE

New Networks in the WANA RegionNew Networks in the WANA Region

Egypt

Aleppo, Syria

NERAKIN (FAO/RNE) Biotechnology(ARC-Egypt)

PGR (BI-Syria)

III. Interregional CollaborationIII. Interregional Collaboration

Collaboration with FARACollaboration with FARAAARINENA participated in AARINENA participated in the fourth Forum for the fourth Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) General Assembly, Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) General Assembly, which took place in Sandton, South Africa from 10 which took place in Sandton, South Africa from 10 –– 16 16 June 2007June 2007One of the resolutions adopted by FARA General One of the resolutions adopted by FARA General Assembly was to endorse the representatives of Assembly was to endorse the representatives of AARINENA North Africa subAARINENA North Africa sub--region to serve at FARA region to serve at FARA Executive Committee for the next three yearsExecutive Committee for the next three yearsThe draft constitution for The draft constitution for North African Sub regional North African Sub regional Organization (NAOrganization (NA--SRO) SRO) is ready to be adopted by the is ready to be adopted by the next AARINENA 11next AARINENA 11thth General Conference General Conference on the basis of on the basis of FARA Entebbe DeclarationFARA Entebbe Declaration

InterInter--Regional Collaboration Regional Collaboration (Cont.)(Cont.)

Collaboration with APAARI and CACAARICollaboration with APAARI and CACAARI::AARINENA participated in APAARI general assembly and expert consultation "on agricultural innovations" held in New Delhi , November 2006Cosponsored with APAARI and CACAARI the INCANA general assembly meeting in Damascus, June 2007. AARINENA participated in CACAARI Expert Consultation on Regional Research Need Assessment meeting held in Tashkent , March 2007.

InterInter--Regional Regional Collaboration(contCollaboration(cont.).)Collaboration with ERACollaboration with ERA--ARD:ARD:

AARINENA participated in the ERAAARINENA participated in the ERA--ARD Conference on ARD Conference on ‘‘Agricultural Research Agricultural Research for Development (ARD) in Europefor Development (ARD) in Europe’’ Held in Brussels, June 2007; Held in Brussels, June 2007; AARINENA is a member of the newly formed Southern Advisory GrouAARINENA is a member of the newly formed Southern Advisory Group (SAG) p (SAG) with other regional representatives participated in the first SAwith other regional representatives participated in the first SAG meeting .G meeting .

SAG will enhance southern involvement with ERASAG will enhance southern involvement with ERA--ARDARD by Providing by Providing information and advice to the ERAinformation and advice to the ERA--ARD program about southern regional ARD ARD program about southern regional ARD policies and strategies.policies and strategies.

AARINENA Participated in the second SAG meeting that was held laAARINENA Participated in the second SAG meeting that was held last October st October 2007 in Slovenia in which the terms of reference for the group w2007 in Slovenia in which the terms of reference for the group was finalized.as finalized.

Provided the names of specialists in Food & Energy from WANA fProvided the names of specialists in Food & Energy from WANA for or participation in ERAparticipation in ERA--ARD project assessment.ARD project assessment.

The Next SAG meeting will be held in Madrid in the first week ofThe Next SAG meeting will be held in Madrid in the first week of February 2008February 2008

InterInter--Regional Regional Collaboration(contCollaboration(cont.).)

Global Partnership Program (GPP) for linking small Global Partnership Program (GPP) for linking small producers to marketproducers to market::

A workshop on the global partnership program on linking smallholA workshop on the global partnership program on linking smallholder farmers to der farmers to growth markets was held in Cairo September 2006, sponsored by GFgrowth markets was held in Cairo September 2006, sponsored by GFAR and FAO. AR and FAO. The meeting was attendedThe meeting was attendedd by d by representatives AARINENA, APAARI, FARA and representatives AARINENA, APAARI, FARA and FORAGRO.FORAGRO.

The meeting elected The meeting elected an an Interim Committee that include representatives of all Interim Committee that include representatives of all Regional Regional ForaFora to develop GPP for linking small producers to market .to develop GPP for linking small producers to market .

Preparation for regional success stories was initiated. Preparation for regional success stories was initiated.

Newsletter:Newsletter:AARINENA published biannual Newsletters (2006/2007 AARINENA published biannual Newsletters (2006/2007 Vol.14Vol.14--1,Vol. 14.2 and Vol.1,Vol. 14.2 and Vol. 15.1)15.1) and posted on AARINENA website.and posted on AARINENA website.

Proceedings of meetings:Proceedings of meetings:Proceedings of meetings, workshops and training courses were Proceedings of meetings, workshops and training courses were distributed and posted on AARINENA Website distributed and posted on AARINENA Website

Success Stories:Success Stories:11--Production of Pasture Seeds in Hot Humid Gulf Climate to ReProduction of Pasture Seeds in Hot Humid Gulf Climate to Re--vegetate Degraded Lands AARINENA pub:2005/1vegetate Degraded Lands AARINENA pub:2005/122--Micropropagation and DNA fingerprinting of dateMicropropagation and DNA fingerprinting of date--palm Trees of palm Trees of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia. 33--Revitalizing CommunityRevitalizing Community--Based Traditional Seed Systems in Based Traditional Seed Systems in Yemen: Experience of an Outreach Seed ProgramYemen: Experience of an Outreach Seed Program””. AARINENA . AARINENA publication 2007/1.publication 2007/1.

IVIV--PublicationsPublications

VV--Meetings (2006/2007)Meetings (2006/2007)AARINENA cosponsored the following meetings in collaboration witAARINENA cosponsored the following meetings in collaboration with h

APAARI, GFAR, FAO , ICARDA & IPGRIAPAARI, GFAR, FAO , ICARDA & IPGRI

1.1. Harnessing Biotechnology and genetic Engineering for AgriculturaHarnessing Biotechnology and genetic Engineering for Agricultural l Development in WNA Region, Cairo Development in WNA Region, Cairo --Egypt 12Egypt 12--14 Feb., 2006 14 Feb., 2006

2.2. Network Coordinators meeting, AlNetwork Coordinators meeting, Al--Ain,UAEAin,UAE 22 Feb.0622 Feb.063.3. AARINENA ICTAARINENA ICT--RAIS General Assembly ,AmmanRAIS General Assembly ,Amman--Jordan 26 April 06. Jordan 26 April 06. 4.4. 10th AARINENA General Conference , Sana'a 10th AARINENA General Conference , Sana'a ––Yemen, 25Yemen, 25--27 June 2006 27 June 2006 5.5. Advocacy workshop for AARINENA NARS leaders , Yemen 26 June 0Advocacy workshop for AARINENA NARS leaders , Yemen 26 June 0666.6. Cotton IPM traveling Workshop, Syria, 16Cotton IPM traveling Workshop, Syria, 16--21 August 200621 August 20067.7. InterInter--Regional program for linking farmers to market, Cairo 11Regional program for linking farmers to market, Cairo 11--15 Sept. 0615 Sept. 068.8. AARINENA Expert Consultation for WUE Network , ICARDA 26AARINENA Expert Consultation for WUE Network , ICARDA 26--27 Nov. 0627 Nov. 069.9. The 12th International Conference on Recent Trends in Medicinal The 12th International Conference on Recent Trends in Medicinal & &

Aromatic Plants Egypt, November 2006Aromatic Plants Egypt, November 200610.10. Regional Workshop on agricultural Information Systems for agricuRegional Workshop on agricultural Information Systems for agricultural ltural

Research & Development CairoResearch & Development Cairo--Egypt May 2007Egypt May 200711.11. Third INCANA Steering Committee Meeting DamascusThird INCANA Steering Committee Meeting Damascus--Syria 2007Syria 2007

VIVI--Future ActivitiesFuture Activities

Expert Consultation for the Establishment of Agricultural Expert Consultation for the Establishment of Agricultural Biotechnology Network 15Biotechnology Network 15--16 December 2007, Cairo16 December 2007, Cairo-- EgyptEgyptAARINENA Executive Committee Meeting , MuscatAARINENA Executive Committee Meeting , Muscat--Oman 7th Oman 7th January 2008 in conjunction with January 2008 in conjunction with ICT focal units training workshop, Muscat ICT focal units training workshop, Muscat ––Oman 8Oman 8--10 January 200810 January 2008Preparation for the third International Date Palm Exhibition atPreparation for the third International Date Palm Exhibition at UAE UAE (March 2008);(March 2008);Expert Consultation for establishing Plant Genetic Resources (PGExpert Consultation for establishing Plant Genetic Resources (PGR) R) Network, Damascus, September 2008 Network, Damascus, September 2008 AARINENA 11th General Conference and an Expert consultation on AARINENA 11th General Conference and an Expert consultation on " Revisiting priority setting for the WANA Region" Revisiting priority setting for the WANA Region““ September 2008September 2008Enhancement of New version of AARINENA Web site (English and Enhancement of New version of AARINENA Web site (English and Arabic) using Content Management System (CMS) with linkages to Arabic) using Content Management System (CMS) with linkages to NARIMS and NERAKIN.NARIMS and NERAKIN.Supporting and strengthening existing Regional Network activitieSupporting and strengthening existing Regional Network activitiess