final report godollo -...

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Final Report on:

FIRST KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE AND COORDINATION WORKSHOP ON AGRICULTURE BIOTECHNOLOGY

Gödöllő, Hungary, 27 -‐ 29 Oct. 2015

Hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture of Hungary (MoAH) through the National Agriculture Research and Innovation Centre

NARIC

Prepared by: United Nations Office for South-‐South Cooperation

November 2015

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FIRST KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE AND COORDINATION WORKSHOP ON AGRICULTURE BIOTECHNOLOGY

Background:

The South-‐South Knowledge Exchange and Coordination Workshop on Biotechnology was organized in the framework of the joint partnership initiative between the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the United Nations Office for South-‐South Cooperation (UNOSSC) on South-‐South and Triangular Cooperation for Agricultural Development and Enhanced Food Security (SSTC-‐ADFS). It was organized as an integral step in implementing the agreements reached at the official launch of the partnership initiative that took place in the framework of the Global South-‐South Development EXPO 2014 in Washington, DC last on 18 November 2014. In the past twenty years, many developing countries have accumulated substantial development experience and acquired expertise, know-‐how and technology which brought about the vast potential of these to be shared with other countries in the South. In that sense, South-‐South Cooperation is becoming a primary source for intra-‐regional and cross-‐regional development The workshop was hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture of Hungary (MoAH) through the National Agriculture Research and Innovation Centre -‐ NARIC

Introduction The workshop was designed to provide an opportunity for the representatives of relevant line ministries and centers of excellence from Algeria, Hungary, Morocco, Turkey, and Uzbekistan as well as from other invited stakeholders to exchange information and views on the successful home-‐grown solutions in Agriculture Biotechnology. The meeting also covered important areas that are built within the SSTC-‐ADFS initiative including effective water resources management and livestock development. The meeting also provided an opportunity for the representatives of the government institutions in charge of coordination of South-‐South Cooperation/international technical cooperation to highlight their respective countries’ ongoing or planned priority activities and cooperation frameworks vis-‐à-‐vis country’s benefit from the SSTC-‐ADFS Partnership Initiative. Previously Turkey shared its expertise on farmer-‐based organizations within the same context. Today Hungary is sharing its experience on Agricultural Biotechnology with the participants from the Arab States, Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States. Hungary is one of the major European producers of corn, wheat, rapeseed and sunflower. The country had opposed the use of genetically engineered (GE) plant varieties well before its EU membership in 2004.

The workshop in Godollo emphasizes the importance of South-‐South Cooperation in exchange and transfers of the home grown solutions in the area of Agricultural Biotechnology, and its

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relevance with the concepts of Pathogen Diagnostics, Disinfection, Genomics, Probiotics, Resistance Breeding and Climate Change.

The workshop included intensive knowledge exchange sessions at Szent István University of Gödöllő as well as a site visit to Hungary’s major institutes on Agricultural Biotechnology, Fruit-‐culture and Animal Breeding Research. The representatives of the various institutions from Algeria, Hungary, Morocco, Turkey and Uzbekistan -‐ in addition to tow centers of excellence from France (CIRAD) and Thailand (PROCASUR) -‐ also exchanged views and practical recommendations on establishing pilot initiatives on biotechnology and suggested concrete actions in line with their respective national development priorities.

Representatives of the technical cooperation agencies, ministries of agriculture as well as centers of excellence from participating countries agreed to a number of joint actions and initiatives for transfers and exchanges of successful homegrown solutions in agricultural development for enhanced food security.

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The speakers focused on the importance of South-‐South Cooperation as knowledge sharing, providers of solutions and enhancing capacities.

Day 1st: Oct. 27, 2015. 8.30-‐09.30

Opening plenary session:

The workshop was officially opened by welcoming remarks from the representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture of Hungary (MoAH), Szent István University, IFAD and UNOSSC.

Key Reflections

Mr. Barnabás Jenes indc, Director General, NARIC1 – said that the institutes integrated by NARIC conduct high-‐quality basic and applied research and development activities related to plant and animal biotechnology/genetics, animal breeding, reproduction and nutrition, aquaculture and fisheries, food and meat science, plant and vegetable production, viticulture and enology, forest research and management, climate change and biodiversity, agroenvironmental research and technologies, and agricultural engineering. He added,

the National Agricultural Research and Innovation Center, NARIC is founded by the government and ill-‐proportioned sectoral governmental RDI capacities (13 research institutes in the field of agriculture and food science), where the institutes keep their professional autonomy as separate organizational.

1 Annex 1: ENSZ_NAIK_ENG_csakNAIK_kicsi_Barnabas

Ms. Katalin Tóth, the Deputy State Secretary from Ministry of Agriculture of Hungary – emphasized the willingness of Hungary to transfer knowledge and experience to other countries. She stated that the evolving situation of Hungary in the field of agriculture allows it to provide advanced knowledge to all countries, especially in the field of agricultural biotechnology. Ms. Tóth stressed also the GMO-‐free status of Hungary: the national constitution fully prohibits the production of the genetic modified plants.

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Ms. Katalin Posta Dean Szent István University2, gave historical overview of the university. She explained university departments and focused on the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences and the educational; researches. She emphasized the role of the university in transfer knowledge and experience to other countries through scholarship to foreign students from all over the world as well as the joint projects with research centers.

Abdelkarim Sma, Regional Economist Division of Near East, North Africa, Europe and Central Asia, Program Management Department, IFAD, assured that South-‐South Cooperation is at the core center and model of IFAD and it is highly relevant to tackle the development issues. He said “Knowledge exchange corridors are at the core of IFAD development model". He added that the ADFS initiative aims to consider the significance and challenges of South-‐South /Triangular cooperation and capacity development, both of which are features of IFAD’s official development assistance by

supporting exchange knowledge between participant countries and transferring of the successful homegrown solutions.

Mr. Edem Bakhshish, Chief, Division for Arab States, Europe and the CIS, UNOSSC. Mr. Bakhshish explained the main objective of the workshop and the importance of having substantive outputs determine a clear vision and practical activities that can be implemented within the framework of the initiative.

Dr. Zsolt Feldman Deputy State Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Deputy State Secretary Zsolt Feldman keynote presentation highlighted the role of Hungarian agricultural research and development, particularly with regard to the sustainability and food security is concerned. Use conserves natural resources and their sustainable way of agriculture is very important in the development of a country. Hungary country's major agricultural production potential, including the Hungarian government's agricultural efforts is that during the production of the first considerations is thus fully

respected. One of the major results of the Hungarian agricultural research and development, the development and cultivation of a GMO-‐free, able to changed climatic conditions adapt varieties to help you get healthy, highly nutritious food and feed can be produced, which foreign partners demand it can satisfy in addition to domestic demand. 2 Annex 2: ENSZ_Posta2 -‐ Introduction to Szent István University

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Session (1) Delegations’ Presentations:

Key Reflections

NARIC National Agricultural Research and Innovation Centre

Dr. Ferenc Olasz, director of Agricultural Biotechnology Institute gave an overview on the NARIC, he stated that The NARIC-‐Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (ABC)3 represents the largest and most important group of scientists in the plant and animal biotechnology field in Hungary. He said “The NARIC-‐ABC’s mission is to perform high quality research (basic and applied) on plant and animal, developments, breading and modern environmental technologies. It has three sections-‐departments and a central service unit. The Animal Biotechnology Section is currently made of three research groups. Researchers in this section play eminent role in adapting novel transgenic technologies and creating rabbit models. A small group focuses on the genome wide polymorphisms with functional importance in ruminants.

3 Annex 3: Hungary ABC presentation_ 27_oct_UNOSSC_olasz_ver1

Dr. Ferenc Olasz, director of Agricultural Biotechnology Institute served as the Overall Moderator of the entire workshop. He presented an overview and the overall contextual framework of the workshop subjects

Mr. Bálint Illés, Deputy Director General, Ministry of Agriculture, Department for EU and FAO Affairs, served as the Moderator.

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The Plant Biotechnology Section has five research groups. The topics are among others: the molecular aspects of plant-‐virus interaction focusing on the role of the RNA silencing related small RNAs; the role of small RNAs in plant development and their involvement in ambient temperature sensing and response. Another group is focused on potato and aims to improve the stress tolerance of this agriculturally important crop. One group is focusing on the monocot and dicot crop plants as well as on the establishment of fungus and virus resistance based on molecular genetics.

In the Genetic Section most projects are focusing on the defense mechanisms against pathogens and host-‐pathogen interactions both in plants and animals.

The Agricultural Genomics and Bioinformatics Group is part of the central unit and as such it provides general bioinformatics and genomics services in the ABC.

In the end of his presentation, Dr. Ferenc emphasized on the importance of the international exchange knowledge between the research centers as a base for establishing and develop new projects that can serve the people as an end result.

People's Democratic Republic of Algeria

Mr. Foued Chehat , INRAA gave an overview of Algeria’s ongoing and planned priority activities and cooperation frameworks on Biotechnology that could benefit from and contribute to the SSTC-‐ADFS Partnership Initiative4.

Algeria presentation’s key reflection:

• The strategic policy objective for Algeria is to enhance food security and biotechnologies are considered as the fastest most effective way to achieve this objective. Biotechnology policy is based on:

o Increase the productivity and quality of the main crops for human consumption

o Creating more productive varieties under water stress conditions of drought o Create more resistant varieties of diseases o To help improve the quality of animals productivity (red meat and honey) o The basic materials biotechnology is made of basically by local genetic

resources • The main mechanisms to achieve the national policy on biotechnology activities are:

4 Annex 4: Algeria presentation

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o The National Institute of Agronomic Research which consist of 4 Research divisions (Plant Genetic Resources, Plant Breeding, Animal Production, Food Processing Technology) A National Bank of Genetic Resources.

o Constantine National Biotechnology Centre • Planned priority activities for INRAA and cooperation frameworks • Develops strategic activities at the continental and regional (MENA) with

international organizations: IAEA, CGIAR institutions (ICARDA), FAO, UNDP, the EU and the AU

• �Involved with the African Union(AU-‐IBAR) as a focal point for the North Africa sub-‐region in the project "Strengthening the capacity of African countries for the conservation and sustainable use of resources animal genetic in Africa"

• Goal: Extend the volume of activity with regional partners (Africa and MENA) in the form of bilateral agreements, MoU and frame work agreement: Sudan, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Burkina Faso.

Kingdom of Morocco:

Ms. Loubna Chamim, Head of Division of International Cooperation, Department of Strategy and Statistics, Ministry of Agriculture and Maritime Fishing, presented the south-‐south cooperation in agriculture with a focus on green revolution in Africa5.

Morocco presentation’s key reflection

• Morocco is applying a very important plan for agriculture development as a national priority. The country’s area is 71 million ha 13% cultivated land (9 million ha of which 1.4 Million ha irrigated) and 30 % Rangelands (21 Million ha.) Agriculture sector provides an employment to 50% of the active population and contributes 13 -‐ 17 % of the GDP

• The major constraints of Moroccan agriculture are: Drought. Salinity, Diseases and pests, Shortage of arable lands due to erosion and desertification

• Morocco adopted a Strategy for implementation of Biotechnology based on National priority for Development of Science and Technology; Improvement of food production (Quantity & Quality); Assist the breeding programs and Characterize and add value to the local biodiversity.

5 Annex 5: Morocco Presentation

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• The main mechanism to achieve the agriculture development plan in Morocco is through the INRA which established biotechnology facilities and programs research depending on the agro ecologic areas and plant species growing on the region.

Republic of Turkey:

Dr. Yildiz illi, General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies Plant, Viticulture Research Institute, Manisa

Dr. Cuma Karaoglu, General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies Plant, Biotechnology Research Center, Ankara,

Turkey Presentation’s key reflection6 7 • Land area is 752 million km squares of this land are 40.9% is cultivated, 5.3% fruit &

vegetables and 37.8% is covered with meadows and pastures.

• Current Status of Agricultural Biotechnology Research in Turkey: After 1990, Biotechnology Research works in Turkey were carried out on; plant regeneration via organogenesis or embryogenesis, in vitro micro propagation of valuable plant material, anther and ovule culture, transformation of crop plants by Agro bacterium tumefactions or particle bombardment, gene expression, use of molecular marker techniques for polymorphism between different genotypes and genetic mapping , gene isolation.

• The recent rapid developments in biotechnology have made great contributions to the study of plant gene pools. The application of in vitro methods infreez storage and DNA protection techniques in fast production studies has made major advances.

• Tissue culture laboratories in various Turkish universities and research institutions. They are concerned mainly with the use of tissue culture techniques for breeding vegetable crops and propagating fruit and vine.

• Major advance have been made in the production of haploid lines using anther culture in pepper and tobacco, and in the commercial application of tissue culture technique in plant propagation and pathogen elimination by the Horticulture Research Centre of the Ataturk Institute, where virus-‐free strawberry plants have been produced.

6 Annex 6: Agricultural Biotechnology1_Turkey

7 Annex 7: Agricultural Biotechnology2_Turkey

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• Cooperative arrangements between different Institutions in Turkey and international organizations have resulted in collaborative projects on: virus-‐free citrus plants; establishing and promoting new biotechnological techniques; breeding through gynogenesis

Republic of Uzbekistan: Mirzakamol S. Ayubov, Leading scientist of the Institute of genomics and bio-‐informatics of the Ministry

Uzbekistan presentation’s key reflection 8

• The major reasons and factors to use biotechnology: Food security policies, Agricultural products and fiber price, Shrinking genetic diversity, Challenging and limited use of heterosis, Limitations of traditional breeding, Biotic and abiotic stresses, global warming, Limited use of available agro-‐technologies

• The main directions of biotechnology: genome editing, somatic embryogenesis, microbial biotechnology, biological plant protection, selection, marker association selection & gene pyramiding.

Session (2) Thematic Lectures: Executive Summary In 13 sessions a various scientific disciplined for Biotechnology presented and discussed with a unified target to increase productivity of agriculture tools. At the beginning, Dr. Ferenc Olasz, director of Agricultural Biotechnology Institute gave an overview on ABC Institution9, ABC’s mission is to perform high quality microbial, plant and animal research (basic and applied), which can lead to developments and innovations, support breading work and facilitate the propagation of modern environmental technologies.

8 Annex 8: Biotechnology in Uzbekistan

9 Annex 9: Hungary ABC presentation_ 27_oct_UNOSSC_olasz_ver1

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Major aim is enhancing the competitiveness and improvement of Hungarian agriculture by providing biotechnology background for plant cultivation, animal husbandry and bio safety. The next session Mr. Krisztina Liptói and Mr. Elen Goeza, Research Centre for Farm Animal Gene Conservation (HáGK) presented “Climate change and fertility: How to avoid the negative effects of it in poultry10. The main challenges they mentioned on the climate change problem is concentrated on Tropical areas, long hot summers, decreasing the production of poultry genotypes, which were bred in cooler areas. HEAT TREATMENT was presented as a solution among other in the field of chicken primordial germ cell (pgc) cultivation. Mr. Krisztina said that there are positive effects of Heat Treatment such as significant change in the egg production. The treated hens laid more eggs; there isn’t any difference neither in the percentage of abnormally developed embryos nor types of abnormality between the treated and non treated groups. He also stated that The heat treatment hasn't negative effect on the spermatological parameters. The quality of the semen is not altered by the treatment. The topic “Pathogen Diagnostics and disinfection11, new genomic technique to diagnose viruses” was discussed by Ms Éva Várallyai , Agricultural Biotechnology Institute. She presented very important points on the importance of diagnostics and solutions for clean stocks: virus diagnostics, in vitro propagation and distribution while Dr. Éva Preininger presented the disinfection of fruits and Dr. Miklós Makay, explained the Saplings for users.

Mr László Hiripi, Agricultural Biotechnology Institute presented experience on Genomics plans under the subject: From Marker-‐Assisted Selection to Genomic Selection12. A series of questions were raised for discussion such as; What the breeders are expecting from geneticists?; What the breeders are expecting from geneticists?.

The next session shared experiences on “Resistance breeding in potatoes” 13. Ms Zsófia Bánfalvi, Agricultural Biotechnology Institute – gave brief on Potato production in Hungary between 1961 and 2012 and also explained the TPS1 in to potato and how the TPS1-‐transgenic potato plants can drought tolerant. The second part which discussed the “Potato Breeding” was held by Mr Zsolt Polgar, Pannon University. The session discussed the importance of the potato as the third most important food crop worldwide and the different ways which can be utilized on breeding with a focus on difficulties with breeding the potato. Centre Potato Research Centre Keszthely. Biotechnology as a way that may increase the efficiency of commercial breeding was also explained during the session. A Discovery of the genetic background of disease resistance against Aeromonas hydrohila in common carp (Cyprinus carpio)14 was the topic of the session that was presented by Jeney Z; Hiripi L; Hoffmann. The presentation discussed: Application of biotechnology in 10 Annex 10: Liptoi_Gocza_ENSZ_151027final

11 Annex 11: Importance and solutions for clean stocks_MM_PE_VE

12 Annex 12: KissE-‐VargaL-‐Lecture-‐20151027

13 Annex 13: ENSZ_Nap_BZS_PZS_ 2015

14 Annex 14: UN IFAD Workshop_Hiripi-‐Jeney_151027 final

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aquaculture and R&D cooperation along common interest and complementarity. The importance of common carp in the world was discussed while in particularly the Genetic Resources of common carp in Hungary: Cryopreserved spermbank was explained. A very interesting session on Evaluation of phytonutrients content and composition of tomatoes15 was held by Prof. Dr. Lajos Helyes DSc. Szent István University. Dr. Lajos explained the phytonutrients definition and explained typical polyphenols of the tomatoes and the effect of water supply and examined varieties on identified polyphenol components. The main factors that affected the Lycopene content of tomato were discussed. Climate change16 and forestry took place in discussions during the session which was presented by Mr. Attila Borovics, Forest Research Institute who discussed in detail the challenges and responses in Hungarian forests. Discussions touched on the Investigation of genetic resources native tree species, Some evolutionary consequence of being tree tat included: Tallnes, Extended life cycle; Seed production; Age of maturity and Genetic diversity. Mr. Attila also showed a comparison of the genetic diversity of tree species and other plants. The audience was very interested on changing climate and it's effect on genetic resources also on Human influence on the genetic structure and breeding as selection effect. Dairy and probiotics took place in the session under tow different part. The first part which was held Mr. Peter Papp, Hungarian Dairy Research and Innovation, he discussed “Isolation of strains from dairy products and honey”17 . Mr. Peter presented the exploring the microflorain samples from traditional dairy products derived from a Transylvanian farm, he explained the need of isolate bacteria for dairy industry and showed a flow chart describing the various steps to be followed in order for a bacterial strain to qualify as a novel probiotic. He also explained in details the microbial steps of the work-‐flow used to isolate microorganisms from the samples. The other part of the session which was held by Mr Robert Kocsis, Hungarian Dairy Research Institute discussed the use of milk and probiotic18. The impact of microfiltration on camel milk’s microbiological and organoleptic characteristics was the main topic of the presentation and under this topic Mr. Report explained main differences compared to bovine milk and the challenges of preservation of the fresh camel milk. Microfiltration (MF) of Milk was also discussed during the session. A session was held by the Vegetable Production Research Institute, NARIC which discussed: Market controlled Chilli and Pepper hybrid seed production based on MAS and dihaploid technique. 19 The session was resented by Robert Laczko, Szabó Zoltán / Kaló Agricultural Biotechnology Institute, DH production lines Mr. Judit Mitykó, Agricultural Biotechnology Institute and Mr. Róbert Lackó, Vegetable Production Research Institute. The main topic discussed was “ZKI VETOMAG” the company who is responsible for the presence of zki seeds in the world. The company’s filed of activities starting from the breeding stage to marketing selling. In details, the characteristics of commercial breeding were discussed. The Resistance 15 Annex 15: Evaluation of phytonutriens contend and...ENSZ

16 Annex 16: Adaptation of forests

17 Annex 17: ENSZ20151027ver06_papp

18 Annex 18: HDRI Ltd Hungarian Dairy Research and Innovation

19 Annex 19: Market controlled Chilli and Pepper...151027

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to bacterial spot caused by Xanthomonas Euvesicatoria brought attention of the audience and raised questions which was replied by lecturers. Triticale improvement: combined application of tissue cultural and field technique20 by: Bone L., Pauk J., Lantos Cs., Purgel Sz. The presentation stated that the first triticale cultivars registered in the world Budapest, 1968. Variety achieved the largest area in the world. The positive. Triticale yield In stress-‐environment, higher yield than other crops (heat, drought, marginal soils etc.) and Invariou regions, takeover yield wheat on the average of 15-‐20%. In Hungary, in 2013, the best scale cultivars over-‐yielded wheat and maize. The next Session was presented by Mr. Endre Barta, Agricultural Biotechnology Institute. Under the topic “Genomics programs”21 a dissections was held among the audience on “How can genomics help in agricultural research”. The presentation raised several discussions regarding the subject of the genomics, functional genomics, and the history of genomics as well as other important subjects such as agricultural genomic and genomics investigations in manage food consortium. The last presentation on the thematic lectures was on: Utilization of biotechnological processes for the development of foodstuffs of scientifically certified health preserving effects22 and was presented by: Attila Kiss, Zsolt ZalánZsolt Zalán, Erzsébet Némedi, Zoltán Naár -‐ National Agricultural Research and Innovation Centre-‐Food Science Research Institute. The presentation explained that the Probiotics are defined as “Live microorganisms “Live microorganisms which, when administered in adequate amounts, which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host” confer a health benefit on the host”(FAO/WHO,2002). The dairy products play a predominant role as carrier soft probiotics on the food market. However there are limitations dairy product consumption, such as the presence of allergens, cholesterol content and the animal origin. Also the vegetables play an important role in the human nutrition and they would be ideal substrates for the culture of probiotic. Dr. Jacques PAGES, CIRAD–Research and Strategy direction23 gave a presentation under the topic: Platformsin Partnership. Dr. Jacques said that the center established in 1984 by gathering to gether all the French research institutes, acting some of them for more than a century in tropical areas, Cirad is, from the very star. CIRAD ‘s working on; Global challenges , Southern countries investment in research and education structures, International call for research stimulating multi-‐ institutes collaboration on the long run and South-‐south cooperation development. The Last presentation was presented by Mr. Gabor Teveli, PROCASUR24. PROCASUR is a Global organization specialized in harvesting and scaling-‐up homegrown solutions. It’s 20 Annex 20: GodolloNAIK-‐meeting2015oct27

21 Annex 21: BartaE_genomics-‐final

22 Annex 22: -‐ A.Kiss-‐Zs.Zalan-‐Utilization of biotechnological process for the development...2015.10.27

23 Annex 23: 2015 DP_Cirad-‐UNOSSC2

24 Annex 24: PROCASUR

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mission is to Foster local knowledge exchange to end rural poverty and its objectives is to facilitate the connection of global institutions with rural organizations and local talents, providing the structured learning platforms necessary to spread innovation. The center is providing services on training and dissemination methodologies in rural development. The workshop devoted time to the interventions and to respond to queries after each session. Experts from the participating countries made significant interventions dealt with the homegrown solutions and provided countries experiences in the field of agriculture biotechnology. The lecturers respond to all queries raised by the audience. Through inputs and inquiries, the experts determined their vision and identified proposals for future cooperation projects with Hungary and with each other, which will be clarified at the end of the report. Day 2st: Oct. 28, 2015.

Field Visit

The NARIC-‐Agricultural Biotechnology Institute(ABC) -‐ which represents the largest and most important group of scientists in the plant and animal biotechnology field in Hungary -‐ arranged a site visit to Hungary’s major institutes on Agricultural Biotechnology, Fruit-‐culture and Animal Breeding Research, namely:

1-‐ Laboratory of Agricultural Biotechnology Institute; 2-‐ Fruitculture Research Inistitute Budapest-‐Budateteny Erd (2 Locations) 3-‐ Research Institute for Animal reeding, Nutrtion and Meat Scinece (ATHK),

Herceghalom. The representatives of the various institutions from Algeria, Hungary, Morocco, Turkey and Uzbekistan also exchanged views and practical recommendations on establishing pilot initiatives on biotechnology and suggested concrete actions in line with their respective

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national development priorities. Special attention was paid in the laboratory of Agricultural Biotechnology Institute which provides excellent facilities for the researchers. The NARIC-‐ABC’s mission is to perform high quality research (basic and applied) on plant and animal, developments, breading and modern environmental technologies. The visit to the NARIC’s Plant Biotechnology Section which has several research groups was very interested. The topics are among others: the molecular aspects of plant-‐virus interaction; the role of small RNAs in plant development and their involvement in ambient temperature sensing and response. Another group is focused on potato and aims to improve the stress tolerance of this agriculturally important crop. as well as on the establishment of fungus and virus resistance based on molecular genetics. The Animal Biotechnology Section is made of three research groups. Researchers in this section play eminent role in adapting novel transgenic technologies and creating rabbit models. Field visits were one of the most important factors that helped participants to identify needs and future fields of cooperation between the countries. In the evening, separate meetings were held with each country delegation and with a thankful support of specialized professors of Hungarian scientific institutes as well as the university in order to share knowledge and to identify next step of cross regional cooperation proposed projects. Day 3rd. Oct. 29, 2015.

Action Plans. The presentations developed by participants in the last day of the workshop, were prepared based on what have been learnt and how the best practices reflected in countries activities, pilot initiatives were delivered during the group presentations that included recommendations were delivered on the third day by Country Delegations from Algeria, Hungary, Morocco, Turkey and Uzbekistan with regard to practical follow up activities.

Concrete exchange knowledge activities will be presented later in this report (see: Concrete Exchange Knowledge Activities).

Presentations of some areas of the Ministry of Agriculture. The second session of the 3rd day was dedicated to represent some very important projects are implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture in Hungary.

Use of “Novum wheat” in animal feeding; by: Mr. Zalan Varga. Because of the characteristic (spreading 8-‐14mm/h) it is mainly forage grain, but it is still one of the best

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material for human food in the range of the known spelt, even with whole grain (functional food). In animal feeding – because of the optimal proportion (1:4,5; 1:5) – it is basically protein crop.

Main features of the Novum Weat:

1-‐ with the usual protein calculation, the protein content exceeds common wheat with 40-‐100%;

2-‐ N-‐multiplier usually around 8, the other spiked grains are around 5,7-‐6,25; 3-‐ the protein-‐transforming quotient is 90-‐94%; 4-‐ wet gluten content 40-‐60%; 5-‐ the rate of protein components differs from common wheat, it is closer to human-‐

animal protein-‐system; 6-‐ many important amino acids (lysine, methionine, cystine, threonine, tryptophan,

arginine) are 50-‐150% higher than in the aestivum; 7-‐ winter-‐ and frost tolerance is excellent; 8-‐ tillering is better than any aestivum, so the seed-‐dose is less; 9-‐ seed-‐dose is 80-‐100 kg/ha; 10-‐ height usually 110-‐125cm; 11-‐ despite the height, the stem-‐strength only problematic when the vegetation is too

bushy, the distribution is unfavorable or fertilizer was used.

quite good disease-‐reaction; no need for dressed-‐seeds regarding tilletia and stem rust, tolerant to powdery-‐mildew, low sensitivity to wheat leaf rust pending on the year, there is no 100% crop protection for fusarium it is only influenced by year, soil preparation and agrotechniqe, intensively reveals natural nutrient stocks of the soil, it can mobilize dead water which is not utilizable for the common wheat (another reason not to use direct fertilizer), because of the ecological adaptability it tolerates the extreme weather pretty well; specifically fits into the semi-‐arid climate. (Agriculture and Rural Development: Mr. Matyas Szabo.)

The only thing that is not acceptable for the recent demands of the milling industry – but not for the healthy food –, is the hardness. Because the variety is not hard but mid-‐soft and slightly wrinkled. It is the most ideal feed-‐material for the livestock.

The novum wheat came into existence in low humus area (sand), and the Bácska variety showed the above mentioned numbers there. On normal wheat growing areas with every percent humus increase – besides keeping the technological discipline – there is a 1,0-‐1,5% protein quantity increase too (we have already measured 26-‐30%). The mineral content is also significant. The lecithin content is remarkable, it is close to the soybean (today it is being extracted only from the soybean)25.

Agriculture and Rural Development. Mr. Matyas Szabo. The Rural Development Program (RDP) for Hungary26 was formally adopted by the European Commission on 10 25 http://vargabona.wix.com/vargabona#!vsp-‐bcska/c1gp7

26 Annex 26: Dél-‐dél EN 20151027_Feldman

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August 2015, outlining the Hungarian priorities for using the EUR 4.2 billion of public money that is available for the 7 year period 2014 -‐2020 (EUR 3.4 billion from the EU budget and EUR 740 million of national co-‐ funding). Hungary's RDP's puts particular emphasis on actions related to restoring, preserving and enhancing ecosystems, promoting social inclusion, poverty reduction and economic development in rural areas and promoting food chain organizations and risk management in agriculture. A almost 538000 ha agricultural land is expected to come under management contracts supporting biodiversity, better water management and soil management. In addition, 132 000 ha of forests will come under management contracts mainly for protecting biodiversity.

Hungary’s RDP will contribute to social inclusion and economic development in rural areas by bringing improved services to 68% of the rural population. 2600 investment projects will receive support to increase energy efficiency in the agricultural and food processing sector . The RDP will support 5 500 investment projects related to processing activities and a further 4800 to improve the competitiveness of farmers. Young farmers and short supply chain will have dedicated sub-‐ programs, under which 3000 young farmers and 3900 farms will receive targeted support. Hungary has put particular emphasis on innovation when selecting operations and 36% of RDP public expenditure is earmarked for actions that foster innovation and cooperation including projects under the European Innovation Partnership27.

Agriculture Irrigation – Mr. Gyorgy Dobos. The aim of the Ministry is to provide sustainable use of water resources in the Hungarian agriculture to develop more effective and eco-‐friendly production technologies and to decrease the damaging impacts of climate change. Hungary and Hungarian experts have several success stories in providing solutions in-‐ amongst others -‐ water management, well drilling and in irrigation. Hungary is well-‐known for its long tradition, extensive knowledge in water-‐related issues and for its highly developed water infrastructure. Water has always been an outstanding priority in Hungarian bilateral and multilateral foreign relations. Hungarian experts executed master plans in Tanzania, Nigeria and Morocco, where they also managed reservoir construction. Experts have similarly served as high level advisors in Algeria and Kuwait. Hungarian specialists worked in African and Asian countries as FAO, WMO and WHO experts.

Hungary has a highly significant freshwater resource in international comparison. Groundwater is available throughout the country in sufficient quantity; it is the major source of drinking water supply. Territorial water management: the management of excess waters, irrigation, melioration of mountainous and hilly areas, regulation of the water cycle of wetlands. Extremities are characteristic of the hydrological regime: floods, drought and excess water are all key issues. The aim of the territorial water management is to reduce risks, its tasks are divided between agriculture and water management. The solution is the adaptation of land use to the natural conditions and the establishment of a modern system of territorial water management.

27 Annex 27 : Hungary's Rural Development programme for 2014 -‐ 2020

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Family Farming – Dr. Katalin Kujani, Ms Aniko Hetyei. Family farms is in the centre of sustainability. the sustainable family farms are: reproducible, viable, and livable (socially acceptable), and transferable. The reproducibility depends on the rational use natural assets and on the observance of proper agricultural practice. Farmers need a high enough income to maintain their rural livelihoods and not to move to urban areas in the hope for a better life. To this end, a decent price for their produce and services needs to be obtained. Co-‐operation could offer access to investment, technology and markets making family farming viable. An enabling environment, including a clear and simple legislation and a proper taxation system is crucial for the development of cooperatives and farmers’ organizations. Socially responsible partnerships with civil society organizations and with the private sector can play an important role in the promotion of co-‐operation. Environmental regulations should take into account the measured and internalised positive and negative externalities of different types of family farming. Traditional family farming strongly contributes to environmental sustainability. New environmental challenges should be answered by participative research, knowledge transfer and Life Long Learning.

School Milk Scheme – Mr. Csaba Vitarius. The EU School Milk Scheme is intended to encourage consumption among children of healthy dairy products containing important vitamins and minerals. The scheme does not only have a nutritional character but also an educational one and contributes therefore greatly to the fight against obesity among children. The School Milk Scheme is there to provide quality products for children as well as to contribute to a healthy way of living by educating children about nutrition. The aim is to address poor nutrition more effectively, to reinforce the educational elements of the programmes and to contribute to fight against obesity. The initiative reached some 101 189 school children in the concerned school year 2013-‐2014.

The last presentation was dedicated to explain how could ABC and NARIC contribute to the success of the SSTC-‐ADFS partnership initiative28. Dr. Ferenc Olasz presented areas of knowledge exchange from Hungarian side to strengthen and motivate South –South cooperation. The ABC and NARIC can contribute to the success of the SSTC-‐ADFS Partnership Initiative through: Training; Participation in joint research project and Solution for replication.

Closing Session: Speakers at the closing session Dr. Ference, Mr. Balint, and Mr. Edem thanked the participants and organizers for their significant efforts and their generously active participation in the workshop discussions, which led to concrete activities to be implemented in the context of SSTC-‐ADFS initiative. They stressed their respective institutional support for the proposed activities and recommendations in order to strengthen South-‐South cooperation and to achieve sustainable development for southern countries.

28 Annex 28 : Hungary intro_ 27_oct_UNOSSC_olasz_ver1

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In turn, all participants expressed their overall appreciation of the workshop and gratefully appreciated the organizers. The participants had considered the workshop a very useful platform as it allowed them to exchange views and elevate awareness on opportunities for knowledge and experience exchange on agricultural biotechnology using SSC approaches.

Concrete Exchange Knowledge Activities: (According to Countries’ presentations)

Activity From To ALGERIA

Selection of local varieties of pepper (chili) for industry

Hungary -‐ NAIK Algeria -‐ INRA

Poultry with better heat shock tolerance Hungary -‐ NAIK Algeria -‐ INRA

Several local breeds with important genetic potential (Preliminary results on genetic description, Further steps needed)

Hungary -‐ NAIK Algeria -‐ INRA

Several new varieties of Potato, palm, garlic, tomato, onion

Algeria -‐ INRA Hungary – NAIK and all participant countries

MOROCCO

Building Capacity for the National Agriculture research system

Hungary -‐ NAIK Morocco – Ministry of Agriculture

Establishing of research platform for Red Fruit and fruit tree


Training course/ Building Capacity on the field of Genomic


Workshop on Moroccan experience of The economic use of water

Morocco All Participant Countries

Promotion for Agroecology Morocco All Participant Countries

Implementation of agricultural policies: the decisive leverage funding

Morocco All Participant Countries

TURKEY

Tissue culture – dihaploid production-‐ on different crops, including cereales

Hungary Turkey – IARTC

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Activity From To (Triticale etc.) and also vegetables

Marker assisted selection in grape for powdery mildew resistance

Hungary Turkey -‐ IARTC

Animal genomic selection markers, consortium establishment and/or training activities


Genomic variation analyses local breeds (collaboration and/or training activities


Farm Based Organization Turkey All Participant Countries

UZBEKISTAN

Preparing virus-‐free plant material Hungary Uzbekistan

Doubled Haploids: Breeding’s Future (e.g. cotton, potato, wheat, tomato, etc.),

Hungary Uzbekistan

From Marker-‐Assisted Selection to Genomic Selection (using SNP markers),-‐Plant Genetics and Biotechnology Research Group. a) Managing of NGS workflow b) Bioinformatical analysis c) Genotyping by sequencing

Hungary Uzbekistan

Development of stress tolerance crops: a) Biotic stresses (bacteria, virus, fungi,

etc.) b) Abiotic stresses (salt tolerance,

drought)

Hungary Uzbekistan

How to obtain forest trees using microclonal propagation method (pine, black spruce, etc.)

Hungary Uzbekistan

PROCASUR

Mr. Gabor Teveli expressed his willing in participating on SSC activities especially in the field of Organic Agriculture and Rural youth.

PROCASUR All Participant Countries

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Way forward:

• UNOSSC will elaborate project proposals on matching demand in and supply of successful solutions for discussing and finalizing in consultations with the governments and IFAD on demand driven basis;

• UNOSSC –IFAD will support 1 or 2 knowledge exchange projects for each country depending on budget.

• UNOSSC will follow up with PROCASUR and CIRAD in order to engage an international centers of excellence in the initiative so that a wide range of expertise solutions can be shared and replicated.

• Governmental institutions, representatives of research centers from participating countries and international organizations (IFAD, FAO, UNOSSC and UNDP) will continue to synergize cooperation within SSTC-‐ADFS initiative and beyond;

• Based on the previously reached agreements with Turkish side and discussions during the last session, the Workshop on “Farm Based Organization” will be organized during January, 2016, in Izmir, Turkey;

• Successful solutions in agricultural development tested in participating countries will be properly documented and placed on the web solutions mapping portal http://arab.southsouthworld.org/en -‐ for Arab states, http://ecis.southsouthworld.org/en-‐ for Europe and CIS countries and http://agro.southsouthworld.org/en -‐ Agricultural solutions for both regions;

• All the meeting materials will be available on-‐line on the UNOSSC web-‐site; • Future events within the Partnership Initiative will more effectively use virtual and

on-‐line communication and knowledge sharing tools.

final report godollo -...

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