workshop on agricultural biotechnology for knowledge sharing in nena region 2 – 4 july 2012, cairo...

Workshop on Agricultural Biotechnology for Workshop on Agricultural Biotechnology for

Knowledge Sharing in NENA Region Knowledge Sharing in NENA Region

2 – 4 July 2012, Cairo Egypt2 – 4 July 2012, Cairo Egypt

Agricultural Biotechnology & Information and Agricultural Biotechnology & Information and Communication Technology in Communication Technology in

Republic of Yemen Republic of Yemen

Agricultural Research and Extension Authority (AREA)Agricultural Research and Extension Authority (AREA)

Dr. Hamoud Ali Abdalla MokbelDr. Hamoud Ali Abdalla Mokbel

Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (MAI)Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (MAI)

Background:Background:

Total land area has been estimated at 55.5 million hectares,Total land area has been estimated at 55.5 million hectares, AArable land is about 3.5 million ha,rable land is about 3.5 million ha, Cultivated area of Yemen is about 1.4 million ha,Cultivated area of Yemen is about 1.4 million ha, The population is about 22 Million inhabitants,The population is about 22 Million inhabitants, Agriculture contribute about 11% to the Gross Domestic Product Agriculture contribute about 11% to the Gross Domestic Product

(GDP).(GDP). The main institutions involve in agricultural research in Yemen are: The main institutions involve in agricultural research in Yemen are:

1) Agricultural Research and Extension Authority (AREA); 1) Agricultural Research and Extension Authority (AREA); 2)University of Sana’a, Faculty of Agriculture; 3) University of 2)University of Sana’a, Faculty of Agriculture; 3) University of Aden, Nasser Faculty of Agriculture Science.Aden, Nasser Faculty of Agriculture Science.

Agricultural Biotechnology R&D is relatively new issue in Yemen Agricultural Biotechnology R&D is relatively new issue in Yemen

Some Effort Done on Biotechnology:Some Effort Done on Biotechnology: Faculty of Agriculture at Sana’a University has good lab Faculty of Agriculture at Sana’a University has good lab

space as well as good facilities for Tissue Culture;space as well as good facilities for Tissue Culture; AREA established Tissues Culture Laboratory in AREA AREA established Tissues Culture Laboratory in AREA

Headquarter, Dhamar;Headquarter, Dhamar; AREA established Tissue Culture Lab in Eastern AREA established Tissue Culture Lab in Eastern

Plateau Research Station (Seyoun) for date palm micro-Plateau Research Station (Seyoun) for date palm micro-propagation.propagation.

Al-Salehy et al. (2012)Al-Salehy et al. (2012)

Some Effort Done on Biotechnology:Some Effort Done on Biotechnology: AREA, recently, supplied Biotech Laboratory in Dhamar AREA, recently, supplied Biotech Laboratory in Dhamar

by new equipments like: by new equipments like:

1.1. Real time PCR, Conventional PCR, Real time PCR, Conventional PCR,

2.2. Gel documentation system, electrophoreses Gel documentation system, electrophoreses

3.3. As well as a PAGE gel and ELISA and other related As well as a PAGE gel and ELISA and other related equipments.equipments.

AREA used the available fund from a new project on AREA used the available fund from a new project on Biodiversity and Climate Change to order new Biodiversity and Climate Change to order new equipments and regents.equipments and regents.

Some Effort Done on Biotechnology:Some Effort Done on Biotechnology:

AREA trained in country 14 Scientists in PGRFA molecular AREA trained in country 14 Scientists in PGRFA molecular characterization, characterization,

AREA had a chance for training on Biotechnology in different AREA had a chance for training on Biotechnology in different institutions and laboratories some of this as follows: institutions and laboratories some of this as follows:

1.1. DNA extraction from different crops, various DNA marker DNA extraction from different crops, various DNA marker techniques like AFLP, ISSR at International Atomic Energy Agency techniques like AFLP, ISSR at International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) laboratories – Vienna- Austria, (IAEA) laboratories – Vienna- Austria,

2.2. Introduction on Bioinformatics at Agricultural Genetic Engineering Introduction on Bioinformatics at Agricultural Genetic Engineering Research Institute (AGERI) –Egypt, Research Institute (AGERI) –Egypt,

3.3. Practical training on molecular marker at ICARDA and on GMO,s Practical training on molecular marker at ICARDA and on GMO,s detection at ICARDA too with cooperation of FAO.detection at ICARDA too with cooperation of FAO.

AREA Biotech Lab, DhamarAREA Biotech Lab, Dhamar

Information and Communication Information and Communication Technology (Technology (ICTICT):):

ICT consists of IT as well as telecommunication, broadcast media, ICT consists of IT as well as telecommunication, broadcast media, all types of audio and video processing and transmission and all types of audio and video processing and transmission and network based control and monitoring functions,network based control and monitoring functions,

The term was first used in 1997 by Dennis Stevenson,The term was first used in 1997 by Dennis Stevenson,

The term ICT is now also used to refer to the merging (convergence) The term ICT is now also used to refer to the merging (convergence) of audio-visual and telephone networks with computer networks of audio-visual and telephone networks with computer networks through a single cabling or link system,through a single cabling or link system,

National Agricultural Biotechnology Knowledge Network is absent National Agricultural Biotechnology Knowledge Network is absent now in Yemen, but there are some ICT for Traditional Agricultural. now in Yemen, but there are some ICT for Traditional Agricultural.


Policies and Strategies Policies and Strategies

Ministry of Telecommunication and Information Technology Ministry of Telecommunication and Information Technology (MTIT) prepare a 2001-2025 ICT strategic vision for the purpose of (MTIT) prepare a 2001-2025 ICT strategic vision for the purpose of supporting the development plans.supporting the development plans.

Strategic vision was not followed by the identification of policiesStrategic vision was not followed by the identification of policies

National Information Centre (NIC) has started some efforts in the National Information Centre (NIC) has started some efforts in the year 2002 to prepare a national information strategy. year 2002 to prepare a national information strategy.



In agriculture there have been a lot of emphases on the In agriculture there have been a lot of emphases on the development of agricultural information systems:development of agricultural information systems:

1.1. First Five-year Plan (2000 – 2005), Second Five-year Plan (2006 – First Five-year Plan (2000 – 2005), Second Five-year Plan (2006 – 2010).2010).

2.2. Aden Agenda, the National Research Strategy, and the National Aden Agenda, the National Research Strategy, and the National Extension Strategy.Extension Strategy.

3.3. MAI with cooperation of UNDP formulates Agricultural Strategy MAI with cooperation of UNDP formulates Agricultural Strategy Action Plan for five year period (2012 – 2016).Action Plan for five year period (2012 – 2016).

All of these were developed to meet the growing needs for All of these were developed to meet the growing needs for information in agriculture sector.information in agriculture sector.



Yemeni EPA with cooperation of UNEP drafting National Biosafety Yemeni EPA with cooperation of UNEP drafting National Biosafety Framework (NBF), which contains :Framework (NBF), which contains :

1.1. regulation regulation 2.2. policies policies 3.3. guidelines for use, handling and guidelines for use, handling and 4.4. contain used of LMO,s in the country contain used of LMO,s in the country

Beside, information sharing with Biosafety Clearing House (BCH) Beside, information sharing with Biosafety Clearing House (BCH) at UNEP web site is one of international ICT on biotechnology at UNEP web site is one of international ICT on biotechnology sharing information.sharing information.


Structure and ManagementStructure and Management

Local centre and general directorates interest with collecting, Local centre and general directorates interest with collecting, processing, documentation and communication of Agricultural processing, documentation and communication of Agricultural Information:Information:

1.1. General Directorate of Agricultural Statistics, MAI;General Directorate of Agricultural Statistics, MAI;2.2. Documentation and Agricultural Information Centre, MAI;Documentation and Agricultural Information Centre, MAI;3.3. General Directorate of Agricultural Extension and Information, MAI;General Directorate of Agricultural Extension and Information, MAI;4.4. General Directorate of Information and Documentation of AREA;General Directorate of Information and Documentation of AREA;5.5. General Directorate of Technology Transfer of AREA.General Directorate of Technology Transfer of AREA. All of these centre and general directorates may be will play a vital All of these centre and general directorates may be will play a vital

role in Agricultural Biotechnology ICT and IC management. role in Agricultural Biotechnology ICT and IC management.


Infrastructure and ApplicationsInfrastructure and Applications Second generation of Internet Facilities are available in Yemen,Second generation of Internet Facilities are available in Yemen, All AREA Agricultural Research Stations and Centers connecting All AREA Agricultural Research Stations and Centers connecting

with ADSL internet,with ADSL internet, Some Stations/Centers have internal internet Network to scientists Some Stations/Centers have internal internet Network to scientists

office,office, AREA website established to communicate research outputs and AREA website established to communicate research outputs and

to ensure public awareness.to ensure public awareness.

AREA planed for establishment electronic network to connecting its AREA planed for establishment electronic network to connecting its research station & centers; recently the implementation start with research station & centers; recently the implementation start with USAID cooperation. USAID cooperation.

http://www.area.gov.ye/english/ENGLISH.html http://www.area.gov.ye/english/ENGLISH.html


Infrastructure and ApplicationsInfrastructure and Applications

AREA established Electronic Information Data Base:AREA established Electronic Information Data Base:

1.1. Local PGRFA Data Base with FAO cooperation,Local PGRFA Data Base with FAO cooperation,

2.2. Gene Bank Data Base of National Genetic Resource Centre,Gene Bank Data Base of National Genetic Resource Centre,

3.3. Library Indexing for the Central Library of AREA,Library Indexing for the Central Library of AREA,

4.4. Data Base of GIS in National Natural Resource Centre,Data Base of GIS in National Natural Resource Centre,

5.5. Data Base Information for AREA research project activities,Data Base Information for AREA research project activities,

6.6. Data Base for AREA publications and the periodical Journal.Data Base for AREA publications and the periodical Journal. All of these Data Bases Information are not accessible except the All of these Data Bases Information are not accessible except the

first one. first one.


Infrastructure and ApplicationsInfrastructure and Applications

FAO funded establishment website for Information Sharing FAO funded establishment website for Information Sharing Mechanism for Plant Genetic Resource of Yemen. Mechanism for Plant Genetic Resource of Yemen.

Beside, some efforts done by FAO for establish Regional GMOs Beside, some efforts done by FAO for establish Regional GMOs detection Platform. One of the outputs was establishment a detection Platform. One of the outputs was establishment a regional website for Agricultural Biotechnology Knowledge.regional website for Agricultural Biotechnology Knowledge.

AGORA website the most important source for knowledge sharing AGORA website the most important source for knowledge sharing information in modern biotechnology, international free access. information in modern biotechnology, international free access.

http://rabnena.net/Pages/Index.aspx?CMSId=8 http://rabnena.net/Pages/Index.aspx?CMSId=8

http://www.pgrfa.org/gpa/yem/description1.html http://www.pgrfa.org/gpa/yem/description1.html


Information disseminationInformation dissemination Under the supervision of Agricultural Extension and Information GD Under the supervision of Agricultural Extension and Information GD

Yemen radio and TV disseminating information about traditional Yemen radio and TV disseminating information about traditional agricultural and valid ITK for farmers and public. Rare information agricultural and valid ITK for farmers and public. Rare information about Biosafety disseminated, about Biosafety disseminated,

1.1. Daily radio program propagating early morning and at night,Daily radio program propagating early morning and at night,2.2. TV program weekly propagating,TV program weekly propagating,

Publications are the main tool for scientific information Publications are the main tool for scientific information dissemination: technical reports, papers in periodical scientific dissemination: technical reports, papers in periodical scientific journal; three Scientific Journal available, one published by AREA, journal; three Scientific Journal available, one published by AREA, second published by Unv. Of Aden and the last published by second published by Unv. Of Aden and the last published by Yemeni Society of Biological Science. Yemeni Society of Biological Science.


Information disseminationInformation dissemination Libraries are the main source for scientific information Libraries are the main source for scientific information

dissemination.dissemination.1.1. AREA has central Library at head quarter and most Agricultural Research AREA has central Library at head quarter and most Agricultural Research

stations and Centers have a good Library; all open for interest scientist stations and Centers have a good Library; all open for interest scientist and students.and students.

2.2. Faculty of Agriculture, Sana’a Unv. and Nasser Faculty of Agricultural Faculty of Agriculture, Sana’a Unv. and Nasser Faculty of Agricultural Science, Aden Unv. have their own Libraries. Science, Aden Unv. have their own Libraries.

Most Scientists sharing information through E-mail, especially Most Scientists sharing information through E-mail, especially whom interest on modern biotechnology,whom interest on modern biotechnology,

Agricultural Biotechnology still under construction, so its Agricultural Biotechnology still under construction, so its information dissemination will appear clearly after or during the information dissemination will appear clearly after or during the process of enhancing the institutional Agricultural Biotechnology. process of enhancing the institutional Agricultural Biotechnology.

Constrains affecting ICT development:Constrains affecting ICT development: Sallam, 2006 summarized the most important Sallam, 2006 summarized the most important

constraints could be affecting ICT development in constraints could be affecting ICT development in Yemen as follows:Yemen as follows:

1.1. Lack of proper strategies and policies in the efficient Lack of proper strategies and policies in the efficient use and the development of ICT,use and the development of ICT,

2.2. Lack of proper data collection and information analysis Lack of proper data collection and information analysis mechanisms,mechanisms,

3.3. Inconsistency of collected data, Inconsistency of collected data, 4.4. Lack of awareness about the importance of information Lack of awareness about the importance of information

and information technology, and information technology,

Constrains affecting ICT development:Constrains affecting ICT development: Sallam, 2006 summarized the most important Sallam, 2006 summarized the most important

constraints could be affecting ICT development in constraints could be affecting ICT development in Yemen as follows:Yemen as follows:

5.5. Lack of ICT technical skills,Lack of ICT technical skills,6.6. Lack of managerial and administrative skills resulting in Lack of managerial and administrative skills resulting in

poor utilization of ICT in the decision making processes,poor utilization of ICT in the decision making processes,7.7. Lack of rules and regulations resulting in the spread of Lack of rules and regulations resulting in the spread of

corruption and low incentives among the private firms to corruption and low incentives among the private firms to invest in ICT,invest in ICT,

8.8. Lack of consistency in communication, preparation of Lack of consistency in communication, preparation of collaborative programs, and exchange of information collaborative programs, and exchange of information between AARINENA member countries.between AARINENA member countries.

Outlook for ICT improvement: Outlook for ICT improvement: AREA shall be play a vital role with cooperation of MAI, regional AREA shall be play a vital role with cooperation of MAI, regional

and international agencies to formulate national strategy on and international agencies to formulate national strategy on Agricultural ICT. That could be attained by following actions: Agricultural ICT. That could be attained by following actions:

1.1. Preparation and implementation of proper policies and regulations that Preparation and implementation of proper policies and regulations that remove barriers that affect ICT development and adoptionremove barriers that affect ICT development and adoption

2.2. Institutional capacity building and staff training in information systems’ Institutional capacity building and staff training in information systems’ development,development,

3.3. Mobilization of financial and human resources to support building a Mobilization of financial and human resources to support building a comprehensive agricultural information system, comprehensive agricultural information system,

4.4. Development of linkage mechanisms between researchers and Development of linkage mechanisms between researchers and extensionists through the use of efficient information and communication extensionists through the use of efficient information and communication technologies,technologies,

5.5. Development of sustainable links with regional and international agencies Development of sustainable links with regional and international agencies related to ICT support and development,related to ICT support and development,

Beside, AREA shall be adopt and function the Modern Agricultural Beside, AREA shall be adopt and function the Modern Agricultural Biotechnology by establishment National Agricultural Biotechnology by establishment National Agricultural Biotechnology Center. Biotechnology Center.

Thank you for your attentionThank you for your attention

workshop on agricultural biotechnology for knowledge sharing in nena region 2 – 4 july 2012, cairo...

Documents

cultivated area of yemen

area biotech lab

extension authority

total land area

yemen slide

term ict

new equipments

dhamar slide