FAO REGIONAL OFFICE
FOR THE NEAR EAST
ACHIEVEMENTS
From 1991-2010
FAO REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE NEAR EAST
ACHIEVEMENTS
From
1991-2010
Table of Contents
Abbreviations and Acronyms................................................................................................ 5
1.
INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................................ 9
2.
ANALYTICAL SUMMARY OF Results-Based AcHievements....................................... 9
2.1 Food Security and Nutrition............................................................................................... 9
2.2 Land and Water resources................................................................................................ 10
2.3 Crop production and protection and land management. ..................................................... 10
2.4 Animal Production and Health............................................................................................11
2.5 Fisheries and Aquaculture. ............................................................................................... 12
2.6 Forestry........................................................................................................................... 12
2.7 Food and Agricultural Policy........................................................................................... 13
2.8 Agricultural Research, Extension and Development......................................................... 13
2.9 Agro-Industry and Rural Infrastructure.......................................................................... 13
2.10 Agricultural Marketing and Credit................................................................................... 14
2.11 Knowledge and Information Management and Networking Programme............................... 14
2.12 Emergency and Rehabilitation............................................................................................ 15
2.13 Desert Locust in the Central Region of the Near East.................................................... 15
2.14 Women in Development...................................................................................................... 15
2.15 Agricultural Statistics..................................................................................................... 16
3.
The designations employed and the presentation of material in this
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(FAO) concerning the legal or development status of any country, territory, city
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The views expressed in this information product are those of the author(s) and
do not necessarily reflect the views of FAO.
ISBN 978-92-5-106943-1
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© FAO 2011
MAJOR ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS.......................................................................... 16
3.1 Food Security And Nutrition............................................................................................ 16
3.1.1 Nutrition and Food Safety and Control................................................................ 16
3.1.2 Food Security....................................................................................................... 18
3.2 Land and Water Resources............................................................................................... 19
3.2.1 Policy Shifts in Water Resources Management................................................... 19
3.2.2 Water Recycling in Agriculture............................................................................. 20
3.2.3 Irrigation Reform and Modernization................................................................... 21
3.2.4 Regional Statutory Body on Land and Water...................................................... 21
3.2.5 Drought: From Crisis Response to Management Planning................................. 22
3.2.6 Knowledge Development, Data Management and Information Dissemination.... 23
3.2.7 Awareness and Capacity Building on Climate Change Impacts.......................... 24
3.2.8 Partnerships and Networking............................................................................... 25
3.3 Crop Production and Protection, and Range Management................................................ 26
3.3.1 Crop Production................................................................................................... 26
3.3.2 Plant Protection.................................................................................................. 26
3.3.3 Range Management and Fodder Crop............................................................... 27
3.4 Animal Production and Health.......................................................................................... 28
3.5 Fisheries And Aquaculture. .............................................................................................. 30
3.5.1 Major activities/achievements.............................................................................. 30
3.5.2 Examples of fisheries and aquaculture projects.................................................. 32
3.6 Forestry.......................................................................................................................... 33
3.6.1 Near East Forestry Commission.......................................................................... 34
3.6.2 National forest Programme.................................................................................. 35
3.7 Food And Agricultural Policy.......................................................................................... 38
3.8 Agricultural Research, Extension and Rural Development. ............................................. 40
3.9 Agro-Industry and Rural Infrastructure. ........................................................................ 41
FAO REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE NEAR EAST
3.10 Agricultural Marketing and Credit. ..............................................................................44
3.10.1 Support the functioning of AFMANENA............................................................ 44
3.10.2 Support the functioning of NENARACA............................................................45
3.11 Knowledge, Information Management and Networking Programme.................................46
3.12 Emergency and Rehabilitation. .......................................................................................51
3.13 Desert Locust in the Central Region of the Near East. ...............................................53
3.14 Women In Development.................................................................................................56
3.15 Agricultural Statistics.................................................................................................57
4.
SUCCESS STORIES.............................................................................................................59
5.
ANNEX I................................................................................................................................64
List of Regional and Sub-regional Projects in NE Region Since 1990-2010..........................64
Abbreviations and Acronyms
AARINENA
ACSAD
AFMANENA
AGERI
AGORA
AGRIS
AICE
AIS
ALAWUC
AMU
AOAD
ARKIS
AQUASTAT
CAEU
CARDNE
CIARD
CIHEAM
CRC
DIMS
DLIS
ECO
ECTAD
ESCORENA
ESCWA
EU
FAO
GFAR
GCC
GWP
GATT
HPAI
ICARDA
INFOSAMAK
ICID
ICM
ICT
Association of Agricultural Research in Near East and North Africa
Arab Center for the Studies of Arid and Dry Lands
Agricultural Food Marketing Association for the Near East and North
Africa
Agricultural Genetic Engineering Research Institute of Egypt
Access to Global Online Research in Agriculture
International Information System for the Agricultural Sciences and
Technology
Agricultural Information Centre in Oman
Agriculture Information System
Agriculture and Land and Water Use Commission
Arab Maghreb Union
Arab Organization for Agriculture Development
Agriculture and Rural Knowledge and Information Systems
FAO global information system on water and agriculture
Council of Arab Economic Unity
Centre for Agrarian Reform and Development in the Near East
Coherence in Information for Agricultural Research for Development
International Centre for Mediterranean High Agronomic Studies
Commission for Desert Locust control in the Central Region of the Near
East
Documents Information Management Systems
Desert Locust Information Service of FAO
Economic Cooperation Organization
Emergency Center for Transboundary Animal Diseases
European System of Networks in Agriculture
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia
European Unity
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Global Forum for Agricultural Research
Gulf Cooperation Council
Global Water Partnership
General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas
Centre for Marketing Information and Advisory Services for Fishery
Products in the Arab Region
International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage
Information and Communication Management
Information and Communication Technology
5
ACHIEVEMENTS
IPM
IDB
INPHO
IPPC
ISPM
ISFP
IUU
IWRM
KISR
MDG
MASSCOTE
NAAH
NAPC
NARIMS
NAIS
NAKEMS
NARKIN
NENFIRE
NEPP-NET
NERAKIN
NEPPO
NESRUNET
NEFFEN
NEFC
NERC
NFC
NEMEDCA
NENARNAP
NENARACA
NEWPAM
NGO
NMDC
PCE
RAIS
RADCON
RADISCON
RECOFI
RNE
RPFS
6
Integrated pest management
Islamic Development Bank
Information Network on Post-harvest Operations
International Plant Protection Conventions)
International Standards of Phytosanitary Measures
Initiative on Soaring Food Prices
Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing
Integrated Water Resources Management
Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research
Millennium Development Goals.
Mapping Systems and Services for Canal Operation Techniques
National Alliances against Hunger
National Agricultural Policy Center in Syria
National Agricultural Research Information Management System in
Egypt
National Agricultural Information System in Jordan
National Agricultural Knowledge Management Exchange System
National Agricultural Research Knowledge and Information Network
project in Egypt
Near East Network on Forest Fire
Near East Plant Protection Network
Near East Rural and Agricultural Knowledge and Information Network
Near East Plant Protection Organization
Near East Small Ruminant Network)
Near East Forage and Feed Network
Near East Forestry Commission
FAO Regional Conference for the Near East
National Forest Programme
Network on Drought Management for the Near East, Mediterranean and
Central Asia
Near East and North Africa Regional Network for Agricultural Policy
Near East and North Africa Regional Agricultural Credit Association
Near East Working Group on Wildlife and Protected Area Management
Non Governmental Organization
National Drought Mitigation Center of Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
Phytosanitary Capacity Evaluation
Regional Aquaculture Information System
Rural and Agricultural Development Communication Network in Egypt
Regional Animal Disease Surveillance and Control Network for North
Africa and Middle East
Regional Commission for Fisheries
Regional Office for the Near East, FAO of the United Nations
Regional Programme for Food Security
FAO REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE NEAR EAST
PFF
SACRED
SADCN
SESRTCIC
TCP
WANANET
WFS
WDM
WHO
WTO
VERCON
UNESCO
UNICEF
UNDP
UNFPA
UTF
Peach Fruit Fly
Scheme for Agricultural Credit Development
Saudi Agricultural Development Communication Network project in
Saudi Arabia
Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Center for
Islamic Countries
Technical Cooperation Programme
West Asia and North Africa Plant Genetic Resources Network
World Food Summit
Water Demand Management
World Health Organization of United Nations
World Trade Organization
Virtual Extension Research Communication Network in Egypt
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
United Nations Children’s Fund
United Nations Development Programme
United Nations Population Fund in Egypt
Unilateral Trust Fund
7
FAO REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE NEAR EAST
1.INTRODUCTION
The Near East Region encompasses countries that are vastly different in their development
and in their natural resource endowment1. They nonetheless face a common set of problems
and challenges that have adversely impacted their development prospects and have multiplied
the risks of instability in food supply and food security. The fragile resource base in terms of
narrow and dwindling water availability, degrading agricultural land resources, declining rate
of productivity growth of the major crops coupled with a persistence of high population and
urbanization growth rates have amplified the structural imbalance between food needs and
food production and increased the difficulties in balancing employment and income generation.
Food insecurity is further aggravated by the increasing environmental degradation, natural and
human- induced disasters including conflicts, as well as the looming climate change threat.
With a growing food deficit, the region has become increasingly dependent on food imports
and therefore vulnerable to vagaries of the international market and to possible food quality
and price shocks.
The FAO interventions and support in the region have been geared to address these challenges
and constraints and help member countries achieve tangible results in terms of food security
and eradication of hunger through sustainable agricultural and rural development while
ensuring coherent natural resource management. FAOs programme for technical assistance is
articulated around the following priorities that have been jointly identified by member countries:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Enhancing food security and nutrition:
Fostering agricultural production and rural development for improved livelihood
Promoting sustainable natural resources management
Responding to climate change impacts and developing adaptation strategies
Preparedness for, and response to, food and agriculture emergencies
The implementations of this programme rests on working closely with sub-regional and country
offices as well as FAO technical divisions in Rome, and through establishing partnerships with
national institutions, UN agencies, regional and international organizations, civil society, and
other development partners.
2.ANALYTICAL SUMMARY OF RESULTS-BASED ACHIEVEMENTS
The FAO activities implemented in the Near East Region since the establishment of FAO
RNE in 1991 have resulted in significant contributions through its regular programme and field
programme (see annex I) as summarized below under each theme.
2.1 Food Security and Nutrition
•
•
•
•
Production of a food composition table for the Near East,
Establishment of a Regional and five National Codex Coordinating Committee
Production of Nutrition Country Profiles for the majority of the countries in the Region,
Establishment of two regional networks for food composition tables,
1 The region is now composed of 18 countries in three sub-regions namely: SNE for North Africa (Maghreb) with Algeria, Libya, Mauritania,
Morocco and Tunisia; SNO for Oriental Near East (Mashreq) with Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria; and the SNG for Gulf States and
Yemen (GCC) with Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Yemen. When relocated to Cairo in 1991, the region also included
Turkey, Cyprus and Malta and was then expanded to include the Independent States of Central Asia (CIS) at some stage.
9
ACHIEVEMENTS
•
•
The production, in collaboration with WHO, of regional Food-Based Dietary Guidelines
which will guide countries in establishing their national Food-Based Dietary Guidelines,
and
Establishment of the regional thematic group on food security within the framework of the
UN Regional Coordinating Mechanism and which has the role of coordinating food security
interventions among all UN agencies in the region.
2.2 Land and Water resources
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Major policy shifts in water resources management have been achieved in with more focus
on water demand instead of the conventional way of increasing supply, more attention
to integrated water resources planning and management, as opposed to sectoral and
fragmented approaches, and more consideration to water use efficiency and productivity
than to yield maximization.
Increased awareness and enhanced technical and managerial capacity for the use of nonconventional water resources in agriculture particularly treated municipal wastewater.
Reform of irrigation water management strategies and water laws or establishment of new
ones, with the direct support of FAO in more than seventy percent of the countries.
Establishment of a Regional Commission (Agriculture and Land and Water Use Commission
for the Near East), as a FAO Statutory Body, in 1997 as a forum for experience exchange
and promotion of cooperation to address issues of regional dimensions. The Commission
has met regularly every two years since its creation.
Policy shift from the traditional reactive response to drought to a more proactive approach
through planning and preparedness. At least five countries of the region have elaborated
drought preparedness strategies, directly with FAO support, and all countries have improved
their perceptions of drought and acquired greater capacity to manage it.
Publication and dissemination of manuals, guidelines, and other documents adapted to
the Near East region; development and implementation of a large number of national
and regional projects addressing the issues of land and water for agricultural use. Better
knowledge about land and water resources as well as on their use and vulnerabilities,
through establishment and updating of FAO global information system on water and
agriculture (AQUASTAT), data collection and dissemination and exchange of information.
Greater awareness on and sensitization to the threats and impacts of climate change
on food security related sectors and on-going capacity building to address these threats
through adaptation measures.
Over the last two decades, FAO RNE has established or became actively involved in an
important number of formal and informal networks in the field of land and water. Similarly,
a large array of bilateral partnerships have been established, including with national
development and research institutions, regional, financial institutions particularly the World
Bank, donor agencies, regional and international development organizations, NGOs, etc.
2.3 Crop production and protection and land management
As the general performance of agriculture in many countries of the Near East lags behind
other regions and productivity of most crops is generally low, activities in crop production and
protection were focused on enhancing national/regional capacities to increase crop yields and
production, genetic improvements and selected seed production and technology as well as
introduction and improvement of high yielding varieties. Small-scale agro-industries in rural
areas, development of cost-effective, environment-friendly and energy-saving technologies
were also promoted; in addition to that regional networks for research and development on
major field and horticultural crops in the Region were enhanced. Emphases were also given
to development of crop varieties tolerant to drought, salt and heat stress. Generally the main
10
FAO REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE NEAR EAST
activities conducted were interpreted in the support that extended to international research
conferences, regional workshops and promotion of inter-country cooperation for exchange of
experience and technical information.
FAO-RNE also supported Unilateral Trust Fund (UTF) as well as TCP projects on Olive Industry
Development and on Enhancing Organic Farming. Technical assistance to enhance capacity
building for plant protection at national and regional levels were provided in order to promote
adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), implement the International Code of Conduct
on Distribution and Use of Pesticides and other International Plant Protection Conventions
(IPPC) and International Standards of Phytosanitory Measures (ISPM) and Phytosanitory
Capacity Evaluation (PCE).
Other main activities implemented included organization of experts’ consultations, technical
meetings and workshops on problems and control of major pests of the main crops. Also
emphasis and support has been provided, in collaboration with ICARDA, to control wheat
rust disease (Ug99), as well as to the establishment, with assistant of FAO, of the Near East
Plant Protection Organization (NEPPO). The dissemination of a wide range of guidelines and
other material relating to specifications for pesticides, pesticides management and IPM and
their role in promoting crop quality were strengthened in the Region. In collaboration with
ICARDA, technical guidelines to Improve and Maintain Seed Quality of Range Fodder Shrubs
and Grasses were prepared.
2.4 Animal Production and Health
The livestock sector plays an important role in the economics of the Near East countries,
especially poultry, sheep, goats and cattle. They account for 30–60 percent of the value of
agriculture output in these countries. Despite the region having a big number of animals, many
of its countries are still depending on the import of animals and animal products to meet their
food needs. The region is characterized by diversified livestock production systems including
predominantly extensive, traditional animal husbandry, communal grazing, as well as nomadic
or transhumant movements of animals searching for water and pasture. FAO-RNE supported
member countries in the sustainable increase of livestock production for food security, poverty
alleviation and economic development enhanced through improving livestock production and
productivity, prevention, control and elimination of major animal diseases, sustainable use
of natural resources (including animal genetic resources), building national capacities and
strengthening regional coordination of research and development.
FAO-RNE Contributed to strengthen capacities of member countries for the improvement of
the productivity of the livestock sector mainly through specialized trainings, workshops, expert
meetings, networking and publishing of guidelines and manuals in different languages and
strengthening public-private partnership. FAO has contributed to the spread of knowledge for
the conservation and improvement of some local animal species (camel, buffalo, sheep, goat).
Feed shortage has been identified as major limiting factors for the development of animal
production in the region. In order to solve the problem of animal products shortage, provide
manure, diversify crops and sources of farmers’ income, FAO has supported countries in
diversifying feeding resources including local agriculture by products; irrigated forages and
improving feed conservation technologies.
During the recent years FAO has strengthened the animal health program in Near East through
the establishment of decentralized units of the Emergency Center for Transboundary Animal
Diseases (ECTAD) established in Beirut for Middle East and Tunis for North Africa as well as
a country ECTAD office in Egypt.
11
ACHIEVEMENTS
In the face of Avian Influenza crisis, FAO has developed and implemented an action plan for
HPAI preparedness and response in the Near East and strengthened the veterinary services
through human capacity building, laboratory and field equipment and supplies and provision
of physical resources hence creating capacity to respond to potential/actual outbreaks of HPAI
and other TADs.
FAO has provided technical assistance to member countries and has been responsible for
advancing practical knowledge and experience in prevention and control of other transboundary
animal diseases and zoonoses in various countries in the region. These diseases include Foot
and Mouth Diseases, Peste des Petits Ruminants, Rift Valley fever, Rinderpest, Old World
screw worm, West Nile, Tuberculosis and brucellosis.
FAO-RNE has also supported harmonization of the national livestock strategies and enhanced
cooperation between members countries. It organized more than 12 expert consultations and
technical meetings; 18 training workshops and; supported 9 conferences; implemented 15
UTF, GCP and TCP project so established 6 networks and published 9 books; guidelines and
manuals.
FAO REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE NEAR EAST
forest and people, role of forest in food security, conflict management, mountains/watersheds,
trees outside forests, urban and peri-urban forestry, etc.
2.7 Food and Agricultural Policy
Major achievements in the area of food and agriculture policy include the following:
•
•
2.5 Fisheries and Aquaculture
•
•
•
•
Establishment (1999) of the Regional Commission for Fisheries (RECOFI) as a regional
fisheries management organization to provide member countries with scientific and
management advice aimed at promoting the development, conservation, rational
management and best utilization of living marine resources, as well as the sustainable
development of aquaculture.
Establishment of the Centre for Marketing Information and Advisory Services for Fishery
Products in the Arab Region (INFOSAMAK) for the promotion and support of trade in
fishery and aquaculture products, and the encouragement and promotion of investments
in the sector. INFOSAMAK is an integral part of the FISH INFO network set up by the FAO
and benefits from its technical support.
Organization and secretariat support to the RECOFI subsidiary bodies: the Working Group
on Aquaculture (2005) and the Working Group on Fisheries Statistics (2004) subsequently
changed to Working Group on Fisheries Management (2008).
Design and development of the Regional Aquaculture Information System (RAIS, 2009) a
web-based information system to facilitate the exchange of aquaculture information in the
Gulf and Sea of Oman region and to develop an informal, flexible and functional network
of regional experts to promote and develop the sector in the region. The creation of RAIS
has been requested by the Member countries in response to the rapid development of the
aquaculture sector in the region
2.6 Forestry
During the last 50 years, the RNE Forestry Unit conducted wide range of activities which
contributed in (i) raising the profile of forestry in the Near East; (ii) conserving and expanding
the forest cover and resources; (iii) establishing adequate institutional and legal frameworks
for the national forest services to operate normally; (iv) creating a science based forestry
practices and; (v) maintaining foresters in the region abreast with global developments through
encouragement for active participation in global conventions, processes and intergovernmental
dialogue. The activities undertaken by RNE Forestry Unit covered also arid zone forestry,
fire management, forest health, genetic resources, wood energy, non-wood forest products,
combating desertification and sand encroachment, forest and water, climate change, forest
law compliance and governance, extension, education, cross-sectoral linkages, forest finance,
12
•
Increased focus on food security and agricultural development issues in Member countries’
policies, plans and strategies at the sectoral and national levels since the early 1990s.
Assistance was provided for the formulation and implementation of more than 30 agriculture
and food security related national strategies and plans as well as 3 sub-regional food
security strategies and programmes. Direct policy advice was also provided to countries on
priority issues of food security, water and natural resource management, investment and
trade and regional cooperation;
Improved human and institutional capacities of the agriculture and food related ministries
in the region in policy analysis, project cycle and trade negotiations. More than 40 capacity
building meetings and specialized workshops were organized at the regional and national
levels benefiting a large number of government officials and other stakeholders in the
areas of policy analysis, commodity chain analysis, project cycle, marketing, productivity
enhancement and trade negotiations;
Improved networking and exchange of information on agriculture and food security policy
issues between countries. Fifteen comprehensive regional thematic policy studies and over
20 national technical reports were prepared and disseminated. A regional policy network
- Near East and North Africa Regional Network for Agricultural Policy (NENARNAP- has
been established to promote exchange of information on policy related issues across the
region.
2.8 Agricultural Research, Extension and Development
FAO RNE implemented a number of activities to enhance capacities of the agricultural
research and extension services to promote agricultural production and productivity and
improve efficiency and resource use management. Thjis included 5 regional training, 4 regional
workshops, 4 regional expert consultations, 5 studies/need assessments, joujnt research in
Mediterranean Basin and many publications. In addition, RNE supported member countries in
strengthening their research institutions through support to the Regional Forum (AARINENA),
the Global Date Palm Network and the Olive Network.
2.9 Agro-Industry and Rural Infrastructure
Some of the major problems leading to food insecurity in the region have to do with the
tremendous amount of food losses (qualitative and quantitative), and therefore activities
on agro industry (value addition) are of vital importance towards the efforts to reduce the
immediate major problem of the region (food unavailability, food insecurity, dependence on
import, food safety problems).
Activities in agro industries in the last 8 years in the region include providing technical and
financial support for several associations and organizations (such as AARINENA, Global Date
Palm Network, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants network, INPHO). In addition organization of
several events and activities such as 3 workshops on postharvest technology, expert consultation
meeting on strengthening RAIS, Biosafety Workshop, seminar on Jojoba, technology transfer,
molecular marker techniques with emphasis on dates, linkage between biotechnology and
postharvest, expert consultation on utilization of agricultural residues, expert consultation on
13
ACHIEVEMENTS
agro industries development in the region, regional training workshop on the implementation
and application of traceability systems for food supply chain, among others), and preparation
and publishing of several studies and publications ( e.g. postharvest manual, small-scale
apiculture, vermiculture, bioenergy systems development in RNE, charcoal industries, losses
and wastes in the food chain, waste management opportunities, among others).
FAO REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE NEAR EAST
•
2.10 Agricultural Marketing and Credit
Emphasis of FAO RNE programme in agricultural marketing and credit has been geared
towards supporting member countries in enhancing their institutional and human resource
capacities through training, formulation and implementation of projects, organization of forums
and meetings for exchange of experiences and information concerning the formulation and
development of effective agricultural marketing and credit systems and through carrying
out studies to establish regional/sub-regional market information systems to stimulate intraregional trade. Achievements include:
•
•
•
Establishment of Near East and North Africa Regional Agricultural Credit Association
(NENARACA) and the Agricultural Food Marketing Association for the Near East and North
Africa (AFMANENA)
Production of four training modules in agricultural credit administration
Production of proto-type curricula for marketing business management courses for Arab
universities
2.11Knowledge and Information Management and Networking
Programme
Knowledge and information management and networking has been provided on a continued
basis to all member countries in the region during 2002-2010 and was one of the key areas
of intervention identified as a priority by the various sessions of the Regional Conference and
the regional Commissions and the framework of the contributions towards the achievement of
the World Food Summit (WFS) Targets and the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). Work
in this area included technical assistance, advisory services, policy assistance, and capacity
building, within the framework of the specific priorities identified. The achievements include the
following
•
•
•
•
•
14
Assisted countries in formulating 7 UTF/TCP field projects for effective information
management and knowledge exchange for rural and agricultural development;
Technical Support Services were provided to 15 field projects. Work included 35 technical
backstopping missions and 15 advisory missions as per the requests of member countries
for the provision of technology systems and capacity building including policy assistance,
institutional development and restructure, strengthening of national institutions and training;
Provided capacity development support to member countries to strengthen their
capacities for effective information management and knowledge sharing and exchange
for development. More than 100 institutions received support for capacity building and
development in information and knowledge management, sharing and exchange in
partnership with national and regional organizations;
Facilitated the establishment and development of institutional networks for member
countries for strengthening knowledge exchange and accessing related information and
knowledge.
Continued to provide contributions for member countries in close collaboration with regional
organizations to provide a framework for sustainability and ownership by the National
•
Programmes for facilitating knowledge sharing through the establishment and facilitation
of more than 10 thematic knowledge networks for development;
Organized 8 regional training workshops on information management and knowledge
exchange systems for ARD in cooperation with regional and international partners,
organized 3 regional training workshops on agricultural information and communication
management systems for development in cooperation with local and regional partners,
organized 23 national training workshops in agricultural research information management
and networking in cooperation with national partners, and supervised and participated in
organizing 20 ICM/ICT training workshops and 7 trainings of trainers (TOT) workshop; and
Built a robust infrastructure for managing information and knowledge in RNE and provided
full technical support for FAORNE ongoing website information system development and
content management/development for building strong infrastructure for regional agricultural
Information and knowledge initiatives, gateways, portal and databases.
2.12 Emergency and Rehabilitation
Establishment of two regional Centers (Tunis and Beirut) and one country unit (Egypt) to
respond to the avian influenza crisis in the region. These emergency entities contributed to the
following achievements:
•
•
•
•
•
HPAI country strategies developed and adopted
Better preparedness, detection and response to HPAI/FMD outbreaks
Improved in farm biosecurity practices
Establishment of an epidemio-surveillance system at country levels and a network and
coordination, information/knowledge sharing at regional level
Institutional capacity strengthened in the various HPAI related topics through country
and regional workshops, training sessions including abroad training as well as technical
backstopping missions
2.13 Desert Locust in the Central Region of the Near East
The CRC managed and achieved the prevention strategy of Desert Locust control which
resulted in preventing Desert Locust outbreaks and breeding in the Central Region in the last
ten years. The Desert Locust invasions experienced during this episode originated from outside
the region. Preparedness in human and material resources as well as plans for intervention
were well in place
2.14 Women in Development
A Regional Plan of Action for Women in Agriculture in the Near East (RPAWANE) has been
adopted and supported by FAO RNE for implementation through country programmes and
projects. Other achievements include:
•
•
•
Collected gender desegregated data, and carried out social impact analysis for agricultural
development programmes and projects.
Published a guidebook on Civil Society Organizations including information on research
centres working with and for rural women in August 2001.
Prepared, in Arabic, English and French, technical documents related to socio-cultural
characteristics of the Near East
15
ACHIEVEMENTS
FAO REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE NEAR EAST
2.15 Agricultural Statistics
•
RNE exerted efforts to improve the quality of the statistics and information of the countries.
To form basis for the sort of technical assistance needs, Metadata from each country was
collected. In addition, countries were trained in using modern census and survey methodology
and advanced tools, and in collecting, compiling and analyzing production, and trade data,
and preparing Food Balance Sheets/Supply Utilization Account for food security monitoring
purposes.
•
Regional CountrySTAT was established through Arab Organization for Agriculture Development
(AOAD). RNE assisted many countries to develop statistical projects. Many other countries
were sponsored to participate in international conferences and meetings to gain experience
and knowledge to further the agricultural statistics systems of their respective countries
•
•
•
•
•
national workshops on inspection of foods of animal origin, and inspection of foods of plant
origin (2007),
Regional workshop on Improving the Quality and Safety of Fish and Fish Products (2007),
Regional workshop on obtaining Food security and Consumption Statistics from Household
Income and Expenditure Survey (2005),
regional workshop on improving household food security and nutrition (2001);
Regional Workshop on Nutrition in Primary School Curricula in the Arab Countries of the
Gulf, 1999;
Regional Workshop on Targeting Nutrition programs for Female and Elderly, 1999; Regional
Workshop on Nutrition and Physical Activity in the Arab Countries, 1999; Regional Workshop
on Micronutrients and Diet – related Chronic Diseases in the GCC Countries, 1999;
Workshop on Breast Feeding and Weaning Practices, 1998;
Workshop on Dietary Guidelines and Nutrition Education in the Near East, 1998; Workshop
on Scientifically Based harmonization of Regulatory food Control and Safety Measures in
the Near East, 1998;
Workshop on Establishing Food Composition Data for the Near East, 1998; Workshop on
Targeting for Nutrition Improvement Programmes, 1998;
Workshop on Diet, Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyle, 1997;
Inter-country Workshop on Nutrition Education and Consumer Awareness (Non-Arab
Speaking Countries), 1997;
Workshop on Dietary Fiber, Nutrition and Chronic Diseases in the Arab Middle East
Countries, 1997;
Inter-country Workshop on Food Composition Activities in the Middle East, 1997; Intercountry
Workshop on Food Control, Marketing Improvement and Trade promotion, Cairo, 1996;
Workshop on Nutrition Education and Consumer Awareness in Arab Countries, 1996;
Workshop on the prevention and Control of Micronutrient Deficiencies in the Arab Countries
of the Gulf, 1996;
Workshop on Establishing Food Composition Data for Arab Countries of the Gulf, 1995;
Workshop on Micronutrient Deficiencies in the Arab Countries, 1995;
Workshop on Food and Nutrition in the Arab Countries of the Gulf, Follow – up, 1995; Intercountry Training Course on Pesticide Residues Analysis in Foods, 1994;
In-Country Workshop on Linking Population, Food and Nutrition Issues in Agriculture 1994;
Regional Workshop on Nutrition and chronic diseases in the Arab Middle East Countries,
1994;
Inter-country Workshop on Linking Population, Food and Nutrition in Agriculture (Arabic),
1993.
3.MAJOR ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS
•
3.1 Food Security And Nutrition
•
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3.1.1 Nutrition and Food Safety and Control
•
The food security challenge in the Near East region is somewhat unique, with countries that
are wealthy but food deficit and poor countries with higher levels of production. Poverty is
also widely spread and nearly one quarter of the population of the region are living below
the poverty line and do not have access to balanced food consumption. The region could be
described as passing through a “nutritional transition” in which problems of under-nutrition
coexist with food-related chronic diseases. Many countries also face a major challenge of
improving the capacity and efficacy of food control systems to guarantee a safe food supply
to their population and raising the sanitary and phytosanitary standards of exports to reach
internationally recognised levels
•
To address these challenges, FAO RNE the regional office has been actively engaged in
collaboration with HQs in a program of capacity building and technical assistance activities for
formulation and implementation of national and regional projects to raise the levels of nutrition
and food safety.
Activities and Achievements are summed up below.
•
•
Capacity Building: FAO RNE organized many regional and national workshops to raise
capacity of national staff and institutions in the fields of food safety and nutrition; examples
include:
Expert and Technical Consultation: FAO RNE organized a number of technical consultations
on all of which have led to the production of papers and meeting proceedings. These include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
16
a regional workshop on Harmonisation, Equivalence and Risk Analysis in the Elaboration
and Use of Codex Standards (2010),
regional workshops as well as national workshops (in 10 countries) on Enhancing
participation in Codex Alimentarius (2003-2008),
National and regional workshops on Nutrition Education in Schools (2007), a regional
workshop on Risk Analysis in Food (2004),
a regional Course On Production and Use of Food Composition Data in Nutrition (2007),
Two regional workshops on Improving the quality and safety of fresh fruits and vegetables
(in English and repeated in French) (2006-2007),
•
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•
•
•
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Technical consultation on Food Safety and International Trade in the NE region (2003),
A series of 4 technical expert consultations on Regional Food Based Dietary Guidelines
between 2004 and 2007,
an expert consultation on Micronutrient Deficiencies: Can Agriculture meet the Challenge
in 2007
RNE collaboration with WHO/EMRO in the areas of food safety and nutrition has led to the
preparation of many joint papers including a regional strategy on nutrition. Collaboration has
also been active with WTO in regional meetings on Sanitary and Phytosanitary measures.
17
ACHIEVEMENTS
Project Preparation and Implementation: Assistance has been provided to:
•
•
•
•
•
Five member countries to set up and strengthen National Codex Committees (NCC) and to
harmonize food standards and regulations with the international requirements;
tThreecountries to improve quality of food stuffs;
Nine countries to improve their food control system and to meet international standards; to
one country in establishing and updating food composition tables;
Eight countries in assessing and improving nutrition situation and in defining food and
nutrition policies; and
Four countries in establishing their national Food Insecurity and Vulnerability Mapping
Information Systems.
Publications: RNE conducted studies and produced a number of reports on the food and
nutrition situation in region and in individual countries of the region, namely:
1. Two studies on the Impact of the Structure Adjustment on Food Supply and Composition,
in Egypt and Jordan
2. Two Studies on the impact of Population Growth and Urbanization on Food Production
and consumption, in Egypt and Jordan.
3. Two studies on Socio-Economic, Nutrition and Food Safety of “Street Food”, In Iran
and Pakistan.
4. Study on the effect of Agriculture policies and Development Strategy on Food Production
and Consumption, in Iraq
5. Study on Traditional Food in the Arab Countries of the Gulf
6. Study on the State of Food and Nutrition in the Near East
7. Study on Nutrition in Primary School Curriculum in selected Arab Countries
8. Food control and consumer Protection
9. A guide for Food and Nutrition Terminology – English / Arabic.
10.A chapter on Poverty and Nutrition in a book entitled Poverty in the Arab World (in
Arabic)
11.Food Safety and International Trade in the Near East.
3.1.2 Food Security
Activities in Food Security in the region have been directed towards enhanced food production
and reduction of hunger and malnutrition in line with the targets of the WFS and MDGs through
support of regional and national food security initiatives.
RNE Continued supporting countries in reviewing and formulating national agricultural
development and food security strategies, policies and plans of action. In response to
request from regional economic organizations technical assistance has also been provided
for the formulation of Regional Programmes for Food Security (RPFS) to promote regional
cooperation and to identify specific regional projects for achieving sustainable food security
within the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) and the Council of Arab Economic
Unity (CAEU) and for the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU). The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
requested FAO assistance within specific areas of interest to GCC countries including plant
quarantine, integrated pest management (IPM) and food safety. FAO RNE also co-sponsored
organizing a High-level Technical Joint Workshop, hosted by the Islamic Development Bank
in Jeddah on “Regional Programmes for Food Security in the Near East: Towards Sustainable
Food Security and Poverty Alleviation.”
18
FAO REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE NEAR EAST
Support continued to be provided to Member Countries in setting up FIVIMS at the national level
through formulating projects and organizing training workshops in many countries. A report on
FIVIMS Study on Food Insecurity and Undernourishment in Rural Damascus was finalized and
submitted the Syrian Government, and FIVIMS project proposals prepared (Egypt, the I.R. of
Iran and Yemen). Support has also been extended for the establishment of National Alliances
Against Hunger (NAAHs) in the Region RNE encouraged the organization of regional and
national alliances as well as the adoption of the Right to Food.
3.2 Land and Water Resources
The Near East Region is characterized by acute scarcity of land and water. With more than 70%
of the total area located under desert and arid conditions, social and economic development
in general and food security and agricultural production in particular are highly dependent
on water availability. At the same time, it is the most water-scarce region in the world when
considering its area, its population and its internal renewable water resources which account,
respectively, for 10%, more than 5.4% and 0.5% or the world totals. On the basis of this,
the Near East Region priority framework, elaborated lately by FAO RNE in collaboration with
Member Countries, identified the scarcity of natural resources, particularly land and water, as
the first priority that needs support from both Member Countries and FAO
FAO RNE programme work on land and water in the region has always been geared towards
supporting Member Countries to address these issues. Working jointly with the Land and Water
Development Division and other Units of FAO, the initiatives taken and the activities carried
out have been planned and implemented in close collaboration with national institutions,
international and regional development organizations active in the field of land and water,
financial institutions and donors, as well as with NGOs and civil society.
The initiatives and activities on land and water implemented in the Near East Region have
resulted or at least significantly contributed to in major achievements and thus to the transition
in policy reforms and technological developments that the region has witnessed over the past
few decades. These achievements and the main initiatives that led to them are summarized
below.
3.2.1 Policy Shifts in Water Resources Management
The shift in country policies from water supply to water demand management has been gradual
over the years and had required a wide range of activities and initiatives the exhaustive list
of which would include nearly everything that the organization has done in the Near East
region. More specifically however, the work on initiatives such as Integrated Water Resources
Management (IWRM), Water Demand Management (WDM), Water Valuation, Water
Accounting, Water Cost Service Recovery, Water-scarcity Management, carried out by FAO
and other organizations over the past 2-3 decades, have contributed to this shift.
Some of the specific activities carried out by FAO RNE in this respect are summarized below:
•
•
•
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Expert Consultations on National Water Policy Reform in the Near East, in 1996 and 1997.
Regional Training Course on Water Policy Analysis and Management for Central Asian
Countries, 2001,
Regional conference on Water Demand Management and Pollution Control, organized by
FAO RNE and four UN organizations, 2003.
Regional Consultation on Financing Water for Agriculture organized by the Global Water
Partnership (GWP), in collaboration with FAO and other organizations, in 2005,
19
ACHIEVEMENTS
•
•
•
•
FAO International workshop on irrigation advisory services and participatory extension
in irrigation management. 18th Congress and 53rd IEC Meeting of the International
Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID), 2002,
A Framework for the establishment of irrigation standards in Syria, produced under project
SYR/02/003
Provision of technical support for the following events: Joint WHO/UNEP 1st regional
conference on Water Demand Management (2001); Second Regional Conference on
Arab Water (2004); 7th Gulf Water Conference (2005); International Conference on Water
Demand Management in Dry Areas (2002); etc.
Production and presentation of a large number of papers on water demand management,
such as: Economizing on Water Use for Crop Production in the Near East Region (2001);
Towards Improvement of Water Demand Management in Agriculture in the Near East
Region (2001); A Comparative Assessment of Links between Irrigation Water Pricing and
Irrigation Performance in the Near East (2002); Policies for Water Management and Food
Security under Water-scarcity Conditions: The Case of GCC Countries (2005); etc.
3.2.2 Water Recycling in Agriculture
The activities undertaken by FAO and other organizations in general and FAO RNE in particular
have played a key role in creating awareness about the potential benefits of water recycling as
well as in developing technological know-how and building capacities for their safe utilization
in agriculture.
FAO RNE activities on the reuse of treated wastewater have been particularly intensive over
the past decade, within the framework of both regular and field programmes. A sample of such
activities is summarized below:
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•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
20
Expert consultation on reuse of low-quality water for sustainable agriculture, 1997,
Production of a “Users Manual for Irrigation with Treated Wastewater”, its translation into
French and Arabic and dissemination to Member Countries.
Regional Workshop on Water Quality Management and Pollution Control in the Near East
Establishment of a Regional Network on Wastewater Re-use in the Near East, jointly with
the World Health Organization Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean,
Organization of three regional expert consultations on wastewater treatment and reuse,
Guidelines/manual on the Valorization of Sewage Sludge in Agriculture and its translation
into English and French,
Contribution to the preparation and review of “WHO Guidelines for the Safe Use of
Wastewater and Excreta and Greywater”, published jointly by WHO, UNEP and FAO, 2006.
Formulation and implementation of a UTF project titled “Re-use of Treated Effluent and
Sludge at Iaat Wastewater Treatment Plant” in Lebanon.
Formulation and implementation of a TCP project titled “Strengthening Capacity for the
Reuse of Treated Wastewater in Irrigation” in Syria.
Pre-feasibility study for desalination of seawater for agricultural use in Morocco, within the
framework of a UTF project.
Study of the potential of brackish water and its use in Morocco, within the framework of a
UTF project.
Elaboration of national standards for the use of treated wastewater and sludge in Lebanon,
within the framework of UTF project.
FAO REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE NEAR EAST
3.2.3 Irrigation Reform and Modernization
The harsh climatic conditions of the Near East Region, with more than 90% of the area under
semi-arid to desert conditions, make reliable crop production tributary of irrigation. The rapid
increase in the irrigated area in the Near East, from 1960 to 1980, brought by advances in
irrigation technology and extraordinary investment in irrigation expansion by both public and
private sectors, has been accompanied by FAO. Indeed FAO supported all countries one way
or another in their endeavors to develop and manage their irrigation sector. The increase in the
irrigated areas and agricultural production was mainly due to increase in water availability from
both surface and groundwater sources. However, the policy to increase water supply to meet
increased demand for water came to an end as the region allocates nearly 90% of its water
use for agriculture.
To help countries of the region address this issue, FAO RNE activities have focused and
continue to focus on improving water productivity, through irrigation sector reforms and
irrigation modernization. The objective sought is to increase the overall agricultural production
with the same amounts of water or even less. Sample activities and their outputs have included
the following:
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•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
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Regional training on irrigation modernization based on the Mapping Systems and Services
for Canal Operation Techniques (MASSCOTE) for Egypt, Iran, Jordan and Syria, organized
jointly with FAO NRLW and IAM Bari,
Application of the MASSCOTE approach in all the above four countries, production of the
reports and their submission to relevant ministries,
Organization of a regional Expert Consultation on Irrigation Extension and Advisory
Services in the Near East,
Development of two national projects on irrigation advisory services
Organization of an international expert meeting on spate irrigation
Regional expert consultation on irrigation of date palm and associated crops
Active involvement and collaboration with the World Bank in the elaboration of a national
water law and application by-laws in Yemen,
Support for the preparation of the “Programme national d’economie d’eau d’irrigation PNEEI” in Morocco
Active involvement and collaboration with the World Bank in the elaboration of a national
water resources strategy for Saudi Arabia
Provision of technical support for the implementation of a large number of projects
concerned with irrigation modernization and efficiency improvement.
Discussion paper on “Public Private Partnerships to finance, construct and operate irrigation
systems” during the fifth session of ALAWUC.
3.2.4 Regional Statutory Body on Land and Water
FAO RNE hosts the Agriculture and Land and Water Use Commission (ALAWUC) for the
Near East, a statutory body (RNE-708) established by Council Resolution 13/97 (Article VI-1
of the Constitution). The commission aims at strengthening a multidisciplinary approach and
programmes of integrated and comprehensive agricultural and rural development. It also provides
a forum through which member countries can exchange information and experience, promote
regional and sub-regional technical cooperation in fields of mutual interest and undertake joint
programmes of work. The Commission has 23 Member Countries, 13 Observer Countries and
a large number of Observer Organizations, all from within and outside the Near East Region.
FAO RNE hosts the Commission, fosters and supervises the preparation of its documents
by FAO staff and provides secretarial services for organizing and holding its sessions as well
21
ACHIEVEMENTS
as for preparing the sessions reports and submitting them to Member Countries. Since its
establishment, the Commission has held six sessions. The recommendations of ALAWUC are
reviewed and endorsed by the Regional Conference and serve as a basis for the elaboration of
FAO RNE program of work during the biennium following each session. The materials prepared
and discussed during previous sessions of the Commission are available in the proceedings of
the FAO Regional Conference for the Near East (NERC) during the period 2000-2010.
FAO REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE NEAR EAST
Box 1. Progress in drought planning in the Near East up to 2010
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3.2.5 Drought: From Crisis Response to Management Planning
The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification adopted in 1994 and for which
FAO is an implementing agency recommended that countries carry out activities to combat
desertification and mitigate the effects of drought (UNCCD, 1994). At the First Session of the
Agriculture and Land and Water Use Commission for the Near East (ALAWUC), held in 2000,
Member Countries requested FAO to assist them in their efforts at national and regional levels
for the formulation of long-term drought action plans in response to severe drought affecting
the region. A similar request was made again in 2002, during the 26th FAO Regional Office for
the Near East.
An initiative launched by FAO RNE resulted in the co-organization by FAO, ICARDA and the
European Union of an “Expert Consultation and Workshop on Drought Mitigation in the Near
East and the Mediterranean”, in May 2001. The event adopted a set of recommendations aimed
at constituting a framework for national action plans on drought mitigation. It was followed by a
Regional Workshop on Capacity Building in Drought Mitigation in the Near East, organized by
FAO RNE and the Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Center for Islamic
Countries (SESRTCIC) in Morocco, in 2002.
•
Follow-up initiatives and actions by FAO RNE included: organization of two regional
consultations on drought management planning, the preparation and implementation of three
national projects aimed at assisting the recipient countries to elaborate pro-active drought
management strategies and to establish drought early warning systems and the preparation of
bi-annual reports on drought impacts and progress in country preparations for its management
for the Regional Conference.
•
Moreover, FAO, in collaboration with the National Drought Mitigation Center (NMDC) of Lincoln,
Nebraska, USA, developed tailor-made drought planning guidelines for the Near East Region
to assist countries to prepare and implement national drought programs. The guidelines cover
the entire process of pro-active drought planning and the necessary tools for implementing
the plan. A one-week training module on drought preparedness and management based on
these guidelines has also been developed. Since its development in 2008, the training module
has benefited twenty five countries from the Near East region and Central Asia, through two
training sessions organized by FAO and NMDC, in collaboration with national institutions in
host countries (Tunisia, 2008; Turkey, 2010). Moreover, FAO and NMDC provided technical
support to UNESCO and UNICEF for applying the training module to Iraq, in 2010.
These initiatives and activities are progressively resulting in national policy shift from the
traditional reactive response to drought to a more proactive approach through planning and
preparedness. At least five countries of the region have elaborated drought preparedness
strategies, directly with FAO support, and all countries have improved their perceptions of
drought and acquired greater capacity to manage it (Box 1).
22
•
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Morocco has established a National Drought Observatory within the Ministry of
Agriculture and Rural Development.
In Tunisia, the Ministry of Agriculture is addressing desertification and drought issues
through the Institute of Arid Zones (Institut des Zones Arides) at Medenine, and through
a comprehensive programme of soil conservation and water harvesting implemented
by the Soil and Water Conservation Directorate.
In Algeria, the Arid Zones Research Unit has been established as part of Boumediane
University of Science and Technology
Syria has established an Early Warning Unit for Drought within the Ministry of Agriculture
and Agrarian Reform, with support from FAO TCP. A GCP project on the same subject
has also been developed and is under implementation with FAO technical support.
Jordan has developed a national strategy and action plan for drought mitigation with
assistance from FAO TCP. The World Food Programme supported the establishment
of a Drought Early Warning Unit within the National Agricultural Research Centre of the
Ministry of Agriculture.
Egypt, though not much pressed with drought issues as a priority due to the marginal
role of rainfed sector, has established the Desert Research Institute since over four
decades ago. A multi-disciplinary national committee was also formed to draft strategies
for desert control activities
The Islamic Republic of Iran has established a National Strategy and Action Plan on
Drought Preparedness, Management, and Mitigation in the Agricultural Sector with
assistance from FAO Regional Office for the Near East.
FAO Regional Office for the Near East is maintaining contacts and collaborating with
international initiatives which complement local information and resources and keep
the Near East Region within the global sphere of concern on drought issues.
FAO Regional Office for the Near East, through its technical assistance activities
to member countries, supports national endeavors to include activities aimed at
strengthening resilience of the agriculture sector to drought in all projects supported
by FAO.
3.2.6 Knowledge Development, Data Management and Information
Dissemination
Knowledge generation and technology transfer through the production and dissemination of
practical guidelines, manuals and other materials on land and water, adapted to the conditions
and context of the Near East region, have constituted one of the main axes of action by FAO
RNE. Produced through both regular programme activities and field projects, these tailor-made
materials have been instrumental for bringing new technological developments to the endusers, including policy-makers, technicians and farmers, and building capacities on their use.
Examples of the materials produced include: Users’ Manual for Irrigation with Treated
Wastewater and six pamphlets covering different aspects of wastewater reuse in agriculture,
Guidelines for Drought Mitigation and Preparedness Planning, Manual for the Use of Sewage
Sludge from Wastewater Treatment Plants, and others.
The importance of reliable information on the state of water resources and irrigation led FAO
to initiate the development of AQUASTAT, an information system on water use in agriculture
and for rural development. The system collects and compiles the most up-to-date countrybased information on water resources and makes them available to users. The first water
23
ACHIEVEMENTS
report for the Near East Region was published in 1997. A new survey has been conducted
between 2005 and 2008 in the Near East to update the data and main changes in water use
by agriculture and other sectors. The resulting new FAO water reports for Africa and the Middle
East were published in 2008 and 2009, respectively. Moreover, FAO RNE produced a report
titled “Water Resources in the Near East: Facts and Figures” that puts together, summarizes
and analyzes the most up-to-date information on water resources in the countries covered by
FAO NE region. The document is based on water resources data obtained mainly from the
AQUASTAT information system, complemented with data from other sources as indicated. The
information presented is intended to serve as a quick reference to professionals and decisionmakers in the water sector in the Near East region and elsewhere.
FAO REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE NEAR EAST
•
•
3.2.7 Awareness and Capacity Building on Climate Change Impacts
FAO Regional Office for the Near East has dedicated considerable attention to climate change
issues and in this context has conducted a wide range of initiatives and activities in the Region.
In response to the conclusions of the Regional Conference for the Near East that was held
in March 2008, FAO has set climate change as a priority area for coordinated actions and
established a multi-disciplinary Working Group to carry forward an agenda addressing climate
change in the Region.
This Working Group involves experts on agriculture, food security, forestry, fisheries, animal
production and health, water resources and crop production and protection. It also liaises
with other staff from across the Region, including sub-regional offices, country offices and
project staff. The Working Group has elaborated a concept note on Climate Change and Food
Security in the Near East Region” aimed at strengthening the lead role of the Organization in
identifying a framework for devising counteractions against climate change for sectors likely to
be affected by food security questions. The note outlined eight priority areas, with a particular
focus on adaptation measures integrated with mitigation responses. Moreover, the Group has
integrated climate change activities in RNE work plan for the biennia 2010-11 and 2012-13.
In November, 2009 the first Forum on Climate Change in the Near East and North Africa
Regions was organized in Rome in collaboration with the World Bank, WFP, IFAD and with
the participation of UNDP. Also present at that forum, which focused on financial mechanisms
and regional cooperation, were representatives of climate change financial mechanisms, Near
East member countries and regional research and development organizations. The forum
laid the groundwork for an agenda for financing climate change responses in the agricultural
sector through the identification of key activities, potential financing mechanisms and regional
cooperation. The forum also identified sub-sectors requiring urgent intervention and developed
a draft road map for collaboration. A Second Forum is planned to be held in the Near East
Region in 2011, with the objectives of taking stock of new developments in Member Countries
of the region, helping countries to access and benefit from financial mechanisms, strengthening
regional collaboration and providing support for the formulation and implementation of climate
change projects.
Activities of FAO RNE in this area also include:
•
•
24
In 2009, FAO RNE actively participated to the “United Nations and the League of Arab
States Ninth Sectoral Meeting” which was devoted to climate change and concluded
with an agreement that UN and LAS specialized organizations would collaborate on the
preparation of a vulnerability assessment regarding the impact of climate change on water
and land resources.
FAO RNE also organized in 2009, in collaboration with the Egyptian Office of the WorldFish
Center, a regional workshop on the “Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries and Aquaculture”.
•
In addition to the priority given to biophysical issues, the workshop focused on secondary
climate change impacts on capture fisheries and aquaculture in terms of human well-being
and governance. It also identified adaptation strategies and analyzed their implementation
capacity.
During the last session of FAO Near East Forestry Commission held in April 2010 in
Tunisia, FAO organized a parallel event on Forests and Climate Change focused on a
regional analysis of forests and climate change socio-economic aspects of climate change
and forests.
At the country level, FAO and the World Bank conducted a study on the impact of climate
change on Moroccan agriculture toward the end of this century. FAO and other UN
organizations are also providing support for the implementation of a “Joint Programme on
Climate Change Risk Management” in Egypt and Jordan. This joint programme provides
assistance to countries around the world in reaching the Millennium Development Goals
despite the threat of climate change. In addition, FAO is actively involved in the formulation
and implementation of an Egyptian technical cooperation programme designed to set up
a comprehensive monitoring system able to generate reliable forecasts of sea level rise
impacts resulting from climate change on soil and groundwater in the Nile Delta.
FAO RNE also collaborated with and supported a number of regional and international
events on climate change organized by the World Bank, UN-ESCWA, and the Kuwait
Institute for Scientific Research (KISR).
3.2.8 Partnerships and Networking
Over the last two decades, FAO RNE has established or became actively involved in an
important number of formal and informal networks in the field of land and water. Similarly, a
large array of bilateral partnerships have been established, including with national development
and research institutions, regional, financial institutions particularly the World Bank, donor
agencies, regional and international development organizations, NGOs, etc. A roster of
potential resource persons and institutions from within and outside the region has also been
constituted and is continuously updated.
•
•
•
•
An important network created by FAO RNE and other regional and international organizations
active in the field of land and water the Near East region, and led by FAO RNE since
its creation in the late 1990s, is the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Land and Water.
It comprises over a dozen organizations such as FAO RNE, ICARDA, WHO Regional
Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development
(AOAD), the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid and Dry Lands (ACSAD), WHO Center for
Health and Environment (Amman), etc., and provides forum for consultation, information
exchange and joint planning and collaboration..
An initiative launched by FAO RNE, ICARDA and CIHEAM in 2001 resulted in the
establishment of a Regional Network on Drought. The latter was later on enlarged to
other organizations and called “Network on Drought Management for the Near East,
Mediterranean and Central Asia (NEMEDCA).” The network has become very active and
is playing a leading role on drought issues and the region and internationally.
A Regional Network on Wastewater Re-use in the Near East was established by FAO RNE
and the World Health Organization Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean in 2003.
The network membership comprises designated representatives from all countries of the
region and constitutes a forum for experience exchange, information dissemination and
data collection on wastewater treatment and reuse in agriculture.
Partnership and collaboration between FAO RNE and the World Bank in the field of water
resources have been significant since the year 2000. A wide range of activities have been
carried out through this collaboration, including the elaboration of national water laws and
25
ACHIEVEMENTS
water strategies, the joint supervision of projects, the organization of an important number
of regional events, the entrusting of technical assistance components of World Bank
projects to FAO, the collection of data and guidelines, etc.
3.3 Crop Production and Protection, and Range Management
Agriculture performance in many countries of the Near East lags behind other regions and
productivity of most crops is generally low. Fostering agricultural output and productivity by
relying on efficient methods and techniques of production has been set as a priority for the
Region.
3.3.1 Crop Production
Activities in the area of crops centred on technical assistance and advisory support services
to enhance national/regional capacities to increase crop yields and production through genetic
improvements and selected seed production and technology, introduction and improvement
of high yielding varieties; promotion of small-scale agro-industries in rural areas; and the
development of cost-effective, environment-friendly and energy-saving technologies, in addition
to promotion of regional networks for research and development on major field and horticultural
crops in the Region. Emphases were also placed on development of crop varieties tolerant to
drought, salt and heat stress. The main activities conducted include the organization of a
regional expert consultation to review status of seed technology in the Region and to provide
support to member countries in the techniques of rapid seed multiplications and a technical
meeting on seed policy and programs in NE and North Africa convened with the objective to
review status of the seed sector in the region and support developing national seed policy as a
blueprint for the development of a genuine seed industry. Support has also been extended for
convening the 2nd International Food Legume Research Conference. FAO RNE also organized
regional workshops on vegetable crop production under protected cultivation and on promotion
of inter-country cooperation for exchange of experience and technical information on citrus
production improvement in the Mediterranean area. A regional meeting, in collaboration with
ICARDA and SGRP, was organized to promote the implementation of the Global Plan of Action
for the Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and
Agriculture in central and west Asia and North Africa.
RNE also supported the preparation for the Conference on Organic Agriculture in Arab Countries
in collaboration with AOAD; the Date Palm Global Network Meeting; the Workshop on Rice
Integrated Crop Management for Food Security in the Near East; and Expert Meeting on the
Establishment of a Gene Bank for Plant Genetic Resources in the Arab World. Unilateral Trust
Fund (UTF) projects were also formulated on Olive Industry Development in Saudi Arabia
and on Enhancing Organic Farming in the United Arab Emirates as well as TCP projects on
Agronomic Practices for Rice Straw Management in Egypt and Training on Improved Rice
Technologies for the Enhancement of Irrigated Rice Production in the White Nile State in
Sudan. 25.
3.3.2 Plant Protection
The Near East region has historically been inundated by outbreaks of plant pest and diseases
which have resulted in major food problems through reductions of crop yields and quality. FAO/
RNE programme continued to provide technical assistance and support to enhance capacity
building for plant protection at both national and regional levels and to promote adoption of
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and implementation of the International Code of Conduct
on Distribution and Use of Pesticides and other International Plant Protection Conventions
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FAO REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE NEAR EAST
(IPPC) and International Standards of Phytosanitory Measures (ISPM) and Phytosanitory
Capacity Evaluation (PCE) as well as address problems of major crops.
The main activities implemented included organization of experts’ consultations, technical
meetings and workshops on problems and control of major pests of the main crops;
biological control and participatory approaches to IPM; regional training on Peach Fruit Fly
(PFF) Management; sub-regional workshop on Pest Risk Analysis in collaboration with the
Egyptian Plant Quarantine Directorate; a Regional consultation on International standards
for phytosanitary measures (ISPMs) in collaboration with the International Plant Protection
Convention (IPPC) Secretariat; and sub-regional consultation and national seminars in
support of the implementation of the Rotterdam Convention. Support has also been provided
in collaboration with ICARDA to control wheat rust disease (Ug99) which have caused serious
losses in several countries of the region and are becoming a threat due to the emergence of
new highly aggressive pathogens races with a wide range of climate adaptation.
Regional project documents were prepared on Peaches Fruit Fly Management in Near East
and North Africa countries and on the Enhancement of Phytosanitary Systems in the North
Africa countries and support extended for implementing several country-specific projects to
strengthen national capabilities in plant protection. Assistance has been provided to modernize
and harmonize the phytosanitary legislation for the Arab Gulf Council Countries and a regional
technical consultation on draft international standards was organized. In addition RNE
promoted IPM in the region through the use of the Sterile Insect Technique to effect area-wide
suppression of the Mediterranean fruit fly and facilitate long-term sustainable agricultural and
rural development.
FAO also assisted in the establishment of the Near East Plant Protection Organization
(NEPPO); initiation of a regional database related to national and international plant protection
policies and provided support to the Arab Society for Plant Protection. Support was provided
for the exchange of information and expertise on phytosanitary control policies and techniques
across the Maghreb region. This included measures to strengthen surveillance of palm trees
for Bayoud fungal infections in countries that are currently disease-free, drawing on the
experience of affected countries. One result has been the sensitization of member countries
regarding the Red Palm Weevil and on measures to combat this pest through procedures such
as surveillance and border controls along with import and export restrictions for dates and
palm tree species.
FAO RNE assisted in the dissemination of a wide range of guidelines and other material relating
to specifications for pesticides, pesticides management and IPM and their role in promoting
crop quality in the Region, and continued to produce and disseminate the biannual issues of
the Arab and NE Plant Protections Newsletter
3.3.3 Range Management and Fodder Crop
FAO RNE in collaboration with the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry
Areas (ICARDA) prepared technical guidelines to Improve and Maintain Seed Quality of
Range Fodder Shrubs and Grasses; initiated technical trials in Syria and KSA on restoration
ecology, specifically for the successful stand establishment of the key forage species “Salsola
vermiculta” for degraded sites; and initiated a detailed study on the management and use
of oat and vetch genetic resources in Libya, Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria; and a regional
review of the status and potential of halophytes in reclamation of salinized soils for forage
production. Technical case studies were also prepared on Assessing the Impact of Civil War
on Natural Resources in Somaliland in North West Somalia; System Approach to Improvement
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ACHIEVEMENTS
FAO REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE NEAR EAST
and Management in a Desert Ecosystem in KSA; Ground Monitoring Techniques to Evaluate
their Adequacy, Efficiency and Problems for Sultanate of Oman and Jordan; and Problems and
Prospects of Irrigated Forages in Syria and Sultanate of Oman.
region for the evaluation and performance of veterinary services and gap analysis; Recent
Advances in Goat Production under Arid Conditions; Prepared project document for the control
of RVF and submitted for financial support under the “One World One Health” umbrella;
3.4 Animal Production and Health
Training: Organized many regional and national training workshops/courses on upgrading
veterinary Laboratories in Maghreb countries; development of fat-tail sheep; artificial
insemination of sheep; African horse sickness; milk preservation using the Latoperoxydase
goat milk processing; Animal Genetic Resources; Diagnosis of Avian Influenza for the Near East
Region; Recent Advances in Goat Production under Arid Conditions; Good Practices for the
Animal Feed and Livestock Industries in the Near East; Epidemiology Data and Organization
for Effective Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases; controlling an outbreak of peste des
petits ruminants; Risk Assessment and Epidemiology Surveillance for the Effective Control
of Transboundary Animal Diseases; Animal Identification, Traceability and Performance
Recording; Molecular Biology Techniques for Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases; Strengthening
Small Ruminant Producers Associations in the Near East.
Livestock production is an important socio-economic activity and an integral component of the
agricultural system in the Near East region. However, the sector faces the challenges of harsh
climatic conditions, frequent drought, rangeland degradation and chronic feed shortages,
inadequate utilization of adapted local animal genetic resources, rampant endemic zoonotic
and transboundary animal diseases, low investment in the sector, and poor market access.
FAO activities in the region have made its focus on enhancing the contribution of livestock to
food security, poverty alleviation and economic development through improving production
and productivity of the sector, prevention, control and elimination of major animal diseases,
sustainable use of natural resources (including animal genetic resources), building national
capacities and strengthening regional coordination of research and development.
Expert Consultations and Technical Meetings: Organized/participated in expert consultations
and technical meetings for improvement of Small Ruminant Production in the Near East; Camel
Health and Transboundary Animal Diseases; Brucella melitensis Infections in Eurasia and the
Middle East; Rift Valley fever – disease recognition epidemiology and preparedness plans;
Roundtable on foot-and-mouth disease in the Near East; Emergency assistance for screw
worm outbreak control”; Conservation of Farm Animal Genetic Resources; OIE/AU-IBAR/FAO
Seminar on the Implementation of Animal Health Standards – The Quest for Solutions; Good
Practices for the Livestock Feed Industries – Implementing Codex; Good Practices for Animal
Feed and Livestock Industries in the Near East; and Regional approach in analyzing animal
health and disease data for forecasting, alerting and prevention
Conferences: Convened the International Conference on Animal Tuberculosis, Egypt 1992;
the international symposium on buffalo production in Egypt in 1992, which supported the
establishment of an interregional network for buffalo; the Annual Veterinary Conference at the
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt 2004; Zoonotic Diseases & Human
Health; 27th Arab Veterinary Medical Associations: Supported the 9th Scientific Conference on
Transboundary Zoonotic Diseases and Human Health, held from 24–27 April 2007 in Egypt.
Projects and Technical Assistance: Prepared project documents on fasciolosis in Egypt
and project documents for UTFN/SAU/002 (2006-11) and TCP/KUW/3001 {3 projects}; and
provided lead technical support to projects UTF/SAU/033/SAU and UTF/SAU/021/SAU. In
the latter case the livestock feeds situation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was assessed
which revealed that irrigated forages are highly likely be affected by mycotoxins because
of extreme heat and humidity at certain times of the year and the inadequacy of suitable
storage. FAO recommended that training be provided to farmers on storage and treatment
of residues, supplementation and consideration of other materials that could contribute to
the food chain and reduce dependence on imported materials. The Ministry of Agriculture
and Water of Saudi Arabia was advised to establish an effective livestock extension team to
implement the recommendations. RNE also provided technical assistance for accreditation of
Rinderpest Freedom in the countries of the region according to the pathway set by the OIE
(Office International des Epizooties) as well as for the control of TADs and other zoonoses such
as foot-and-mouth disease, Rift Valley fever and brucellosis; deployed a disease information
database developed by FAO (TADinfo) in several countries of the region for better animal
disease information management; participated in several OIE-led missions to countries in the
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Networks: Launced the Regional Animal Disease Surveillance and Control Network
(RADISCON) for North Africa, the Middle East to improve/establish animal disease information
at the national and regional levels through capacity building for disease surveillance and
control of certain diseases; Support to FAO-ESCORENA (European System of Networks
in Agriculture) Buffalo Network (processing, printing and distribution of Buffalo Newsletter);
supported FAO-CIHEAM (International Centre for Mediterranean High Agronomic Studies)
Network of Cooperative Research on Sheep and Goat; the Near East Small Ruminant Network
(NESRUNET) and the Near East Forage and Feed Network (NEFFEN)
Studies: Market chains and ways to mitigate market shocks and the impact of animal diseases
on poor farming communities; socio-economic analysis studies in several pilot countries to
delineate market chains, and mitigate market shocks and the impact of the Avian Influenza
on poor farming communities; country studies on the role of livestock production in poverty
reduction and food security;
Publications: Prepared Manual on “Technology of Making Cheese from Camel Milk”; Second
Edition of the “Veterinary Vaccine Production in Near East”; Manual “Protein sources for
animal feed industry”; Family Poultry Manual; Milk Producer; Group-Resource Book; “3 User
Manuals on Veterinary Diagnostic and Interventional Ultrasonography in Farm Animals”; and
Prepared the 2nd Edition of “Dictionary on Poultry Scientific Terms & Relevant Sciences” –
English/Arabic, Arabic/English. Translated publications include Guide to Good Dairy Farming
Practice, Development of Successful Animal Recording Systems for Transition and Developing
Countries and Good Practices for the Meat Industry. Printed the 2nd Edition of Poultry Dictionary
after being upgraded in 2006; and Arabic version of FAO-OIE Manual “Preparing for Highly
Pathogenic Avian Influenza” in association with the Egyptian Agricultural Magazine; and
Proceeding of the workshop on milk chain from stable to table in countries of the Near East. In
addition to the above edited / printed:
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Proceedings of a workshop on milk chain from stable to table in countries of Near East.
Practical guide on poultry diseases – Arabic
Proceedings of an expert meeting on irrigated forage production in the Near East
Proceedings of a workshop on strengthening small ruminant production in the Near East
Report on the role of livestock production in poverty reduction and food security in the Near
East
A guide on Technology of Poultry Products – Arabic
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ACHIEVEMENTS
FAO REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE NEAR EAST
3.5 Fisheries And Aquaculture
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The Near East region encompasses a wide and dispersed geographical area of different
marine and freshwater ecosystems and fisheries with different characteristics and complexity.
Moreover, fisheries in the region rely upon ecosystem services and goods that are often shared
with other coastal countries, and which therefore demand regional cooperation to ensure their
responsible management and sustainable exploitation.
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Promoting fisheries management cooperation among Iran, I.R., Iraq and Kuwait
(1-2 November 2010, Kuwait)
The FAO/RNE Fisheries Unit in cooperation with FAO/FI implemented a number of activities
in support of sustainable and economically viable fisheries and aquaculture sectors in RNE
region. Initiatives were also realized and achievements reached concerning the knowledge
and information on status and trends of fisheries; management and conservation of fishery
resources; and development of regional cooperation to pursue same objectives at the regional
level.
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FAO promoted the introduction of the spatial dimension in fisheries management and
aquaculture planning through the organization and implementation in 2008 and 2010
of regional and sub-regional training workshops on the Use of Geographic Information
System in Fisheries Management and Aquaculture Development .
FAO/FI in cooperation with RNE prepared the first Arab-English Field Identification Guide
to the Living Marine Resources of the Eastern and Southern Mediterranean which will
be made available and understandable to Arabic-speaking users. The FAO Arab-English
Field Identification Guide to the Living Marine Resources of the Eastern and Southern
Mediterranean is due to be published in 2011.
FAO, upon request of countries in the region for assistance to combat Illegal, Unreported
and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, and in partnership with the relevant regional fisheries
management organization has convened a series of regional and sub-regional Workshops
(2005, 2009 and 2010) addressing IIU fishing in the region and to develop national capacity
and promote regional coordination so that countries would be better placed to combat IUU
fishing activities. Moreover, in the context of combating IUU fishing and related activities,
FAO produced the Review of fisheries laws of certain Members of the Regional Commission
for Fisheries (2009) that is essential step to proceed toward harmonization of fisheries
legislation of countries exploiting shared fishery resources. The international seminar on
Fish Trade and Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing in the Near East and North
Africa: Implication of Certification and Traceability Schemes for the Region constituted a
further key action fostering regional cooperation against illegal fishing.
FAO released a training video that explores the issues and solutions to manage bycatch
and reduce discards in tropical shrimp fisheries. The video “Managing Bycatch and
Reducing Discards” was translated into Arabic language to permit wide dissemination in
RNE Arabic speaking countries. The use of shrimp bycatch reduction devices is gradually
being adopted by the Gulf countries in the Persian Gulf.
Climate change and its impact on the fisheries and aquaculture sectors in the region was
addressed through specific regional multidisciplinary workshops such as “Adapting to
Climate Change: the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries and Aquaculture in the Near East
and North Africa Region” (2009).
Improvements in aquatic animal health capacity are considered essential if regional
aquaculture production is to achieve the hoped levels of growth. FAO has assisted RECOFI
Members to formulate a Regional Programme for Improving Aquatic Animal Health
Capacity. Moreover, in consideration of the growing interest in marine cage aquaculture,
the Sustainable Marine Cage Aquaculture Development” is actively promoted in areas
such as the Gulf, the Sea of Oman and the Mediterranean.
3.5.1 Major activities/achievements
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The FAO RNE and FI reviewed, analyzed, and disseminated information on the current
status and trends of RNE marine capture fishery productions in the Near East and North
Africa region. Two analytical stand-alone IT packages “Trends and Patterns of RECOFI
Fisheries Production (1986-2006)” and “Trends and Pattern of Capture Fisheries Production
in the Near East and North Africa Region (1950 – 2007)” have been designed and produced
to allow the easy visualization and preliminary analysis of trends and patterns of national,
sub-regional and regional RNE fishery production time series by most important species,
by country and statistical areas. Simple indicators are elaborated and displayed.
Grouper broodstock in captivity at the Fish Farming Centre in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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ACHIEVEMENTS
- Regional Aquaculture Information System (RAIS) have been successfully installed and
is hosted on the server of the Kuwait Public Authority for Agriculture and Fisheries.
The RAIS was developed to facilitate the exchange of aquaculture information in the
RECOFI area among regional experts and stakeholders, and to promote and develop a
sustainable aquaculture industry.
- FAO actively pursues a regional and sub-regional approach in the Near East and North
Africa region. The regional dimension has been fostered particularly in the Mediterranean
sub-region, through the formulation of four inter-regional field projects supporting
sustainable fisheries development and involving a total of eighteen Mediterranean
coastal countries of which seven are RNE members.
3.5.2 Examples of fisheries and aquaculture projects
All Mediterranean coastal States face local issues and problems which require marine
scientific research for their solution. However, they also have to cope with problems that can
only be resolved by investigations on a wider geographical scale. Over the years, a pattern
of international cooperative programmes has emerged, and procedures for planning and
implementing these have been worked out by several of the coastal countries. Cooperative
programmes are mutually beneficial to the parties concerned, in so far as they provide an
excellent opportunity for interaction and for strengthening of national scientific capacity in various
disciplines of marine sciences including fishery sciences. It may be seen as inevitable that, in
the semi-enclosed Mediterranean Sea basin, intergovernmental arrangements will eventually
become a basis for rational management. FAO has established sub-regional networks through
sub-regional data collection schemes and research programmes, addressing jointly identified
priorities.
Through the establishment of the CopeMed Project in 1996 a new mechanism was created
to foster scientific cooperation in sub-regional fishery research and management in the
Mediterranean. In the southern and eastern Mediterranean the CopeMed and the ensuing
MedSudMed and EastMed Projects emphasized, from the start, regional activities through
concerted action, with the participation of the countries involved, international organization and
the relevant regional fisheries management organization.
Projects like those FAO operate in the Mediterranean also provide tools for the improvement
of scientific communication within established networks, resulting in joint field activities,
data analysis, and publications. In this respect, the network of FAO regional projects in the
Mediterranean has brought new light on the perception and interpretation of multilateral
regional and sub-regional cooperation for fisheries research and management. The projects
facilitated the broadening of intra-regional contacts which promote closer cooperation among
Mediterranean scientists and countries on a regular basis.
The CopeMed Project (Advice, Technical Support and Establishment of Cooperation Networks
to Facilitate Coordination to Support Fisheries Management in the Western and Central
Mediterranean) was established in 1996 to strengthen scientific collaboration among Western
and Central Mediterranean countries involved in the management of fisheries in this area.
Morocco, Algeria, France, Italy, Libya, Malta, Morocco, Spain and Tunisia participated in the
first phase (1996-2005) and second phase (2008 to present) of the Project. The main objective
of the Project was to widen scientific knowledge and regional cooperation for the sustainable
management of the Mediterranean fisheries. Within the frame of international cooperation,
CopeMed reinforced the capacities of the Southern Mediterranean countries,
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FAO REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE NEAR EAST
encouraged the collaboration between the participating states and supported their contribution
to the scientific activities promoted by the regional fisheries management bodies.
The Project generated a common scientific strength in the western Mediterranean region
facilitating the participatory approach in the preparation of the activities, their implementation
and the evaluation of results. The CopeMed Project has developed in the sub-region a sound
scientific collaboration. This approach has much contributed to the subsequent development
in the Mediterranean basin of other projects of similar characteristics and that today continue
the collaborative scientific activities in the Mediterranean.
The Straits of Sicily is one of the most important fishing areas of the Mediterranean Sea,
where significant fleets operate with high fish production. Yet, the available knowledge on
fishery resources and their ecosystems in the region is often scarce. The MedSudMed Project
(Assessment and Monitoring of the Fishery Resources and the Ecosystems in the Straits of
Sicily) was created in 2001 to strengthen the national and regional research capacities and to
promote scientific cooperation in the southern part of the central Mediterranean (Libya, Malta,
Tunisia, and Italy) for the assessment and monitoring of fishery resources. The Project’s main
objective is to improve knowledge on fishery resources and their ecosystems – as a contribution
to the development of responsible fisheries management – by supporting research activities
related to the interactions between fishery resources and biotic and abiotic environmental
factors.
MedSudMed’s most important achievement is the establishment of a sub-regional system
for monitoring fisheries resources that involves the research institutions of the participating
countries. The Project has successfully produced baseline scientific information on fishery
resources relevant to fisheries management. MedSudMed has promoted scientific and technical
cooperation in the central and southern Mediterranean and created a basis for cooperative
fisheries research among the participating countries.
The EastMed Project (Scientific and Institutional Cooperation to Support Responsible Fisheries
in the Eastern Mediterranean) was designed to improve management at national and regional
levels in order to achieve sustainability in the fisheries of the eastern Mediterranean and,
through this, to support national economies and protect the livelihoods of those involved in
the fisheries sector. The Project was established in 2008 involving the participation of Egypt,
Lebanon, Gaza, Cyprus, Malta, Turkey, Greece and Italy. EastMed assists participating
countries to develop effective sub-regional cooperation for the sustainability of fisheries of
common interest.
3.6 Forestry
The Near East is characterized by low forest cover. However, despite the scarcity of the
resources compared to other regions, forests and rangelands in the Middle East and North
Africa are still pillars to sustainable development and provide a social safety net. Sustainable
management of forests and natural rangelands remain the cornerstone of sustainability of
the natural resources base in biodiversity, soil, water resources as well as of the ecosystem
functions and productivity. The fragility of the region’s natural ecosystems, due to the combined
effects of unfavourable climatic conditions and anthropogenic pressure, has aggravated
degradation of forest and ranges or lead in certain situation to their permanent loss.
Since its establishment, the FAO office for the Near East invested extensively in the region’s
national forest programmes development and implementation. That was to control the process
of deforestation and land degradation through:
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ACHIEVEMENTS
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intensifying agriculture which reduced pressure on forests and helped recover degraded
lands for afforestation;
a control of livestock in terms of numbers and management systems (intensive vs extensive
farming);
long-term management of natural forests
high quality yield plantations, in ecologically appropriate zones and sites, using the right
seed and genetic material
3.6.1 Near East Forestry Commission
The Near East Forestry Conference held in Amman, Jordan in 1952 recommended the
establishment of the Near East Forestry Commission (NEFC). With coordination by FAO
RNE, the NEFC held periodic sessions starting in 1952. Since then, nineteen sessions were
convened in 10 countries (Iran, Egypt, Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Sudan, Cyprus, Tunisia
and Syria). The NEFC constituted a regional forum of exchange of experiences, knowledge
and technologies related to forestry between the countries in the region. It provided guidance
to memberships as well as to FAO on the formulation of management policies of forests, trees,
ranges and their products, and coordinated their implementation at the national and regional
levels.
During the NEFC existence, continuous efforts were made to strengthen country forestry
services, and to establish a solid network among forestry institutions and forestry experts in
the region. Various issues regarding the forestry sector development were discussed at the
NEFC meetings based on the priorities identified by the NEFC technical committee. In this
line, numerous regional studies, programmes and projects have been conducted, and specific
networks and working groups established.
The Near East Forestry Commission covered wide range of forestry and rangelands issues
such as institutions, forest policy, research and education, afforestation and reforestation,
sustainable use of forest products, biodiversity conservation and protected areas management,
local communities and resources use rights, watershed management, information, regional
collaboration, role of forests in food security and climate change mitigation, etc. During its
more than 50 years of existence, the NEFC has:
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Fulfilled to large extent its original mission of reviewing the political, economic and technical
problems related to forests and forest products
Initiated and consolidated the practice of scientific forestry in the Near East through its
advocacy to forestry science as education, research, extension, resources assessment,
data and information, introduction of exotic species, forest policy and legislation and
harmonization of forestry policies with those of other economic sectors and land use
Endeavoured to keep forestry institutions and personnel in the region abreast with global
developments through encouragement and support to member countries to participate in
and become party to global conventions, processes and intergovernmental dialogue.
Initiated and nurtured the emergence of a distinct identity of the region through the fostering
of relevant regional activities, processes and initiatives as Criteria and Indicators, Outlook
Studies, Global Forest Resources Assessment, Needs and Requirements of Countries
with low Forest Cover and Unique types of Forests.
Supported and promoted inter/and intraregional exchange of experiences on forestry
and rangelands on issues of forests and people, forests and climate change, biodiversity,
desertification, etc
Fed into the Near Ear Regional Conference (NERC) and supported its work on issues
related to forestry and rangelands
FAO REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE NEAR EAST
3.6.2 National forest Programme
Normative Work:
Although the national forest programme (nfp) is widely quoted nowadays, its concept is as old
as the forestry practices in the Near East. FAO support to the development and implementation
of the nfp in the near East goes back to the sixties and seventies and covered all facets of
forestry. It assisted member countries in developing and implementing their nfp that effectively
address, through country leadership, participation and integration of cross sectoral issues,
local needs and national priorities and reflect internationally agreed principles
The aims of the FAO support to its member countries in forestry in the region were (i) to
increase the capacity of public forestry services and stakeholders alike for the development
and implementation of nfp processes; (ii) to generate knowledge through forestry research
and information; (iii) to design policies and legal frameworks; (iv) to introduce the concept of
sustainable forest management and; (v) to integrate forestry into national strategies and plans
Since it was established the FAO Forestry Unit in RNE contributed to implementation of a
comprehensive programme of institutional strengthening in all countries. The work covered
organization of the forestry administrations and definition of their mission, training of the national
personnel overseas and in FAO supported national forestry schools and training centres.
In compliance with the priorities set and recommendations made by the Near East Regional
Conference and the Near East Forestry Commission, the RNE Forestry Unit conducted in
recent years significant activities taking into consideration World Food Summit (WFS) targets
and the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). These activities were and still are part of the
programmes supported by both the FAO regular budget and field projects funded through FAO
TCP and extra-budgetary resources (UTF, GCP…)
At the country level, the field programme focused on stakeholder’s involvement in forest issues
and forest management in particular, insisting on the participation of communities concerned.
In the last 20 years, the RNE Forestry Unit supported the following activities:
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Policy and legislation: (i) guidelines for policy formulation; (ii) capacity building through
workshops on policy development and adaptation of national forestry legislation; (iii)
integration of climate change in national forest programmes (nfps) and forest policy; (iv)
integration of forestry practices into broader rural development policies.
Institutions: (i) transfer of success stories to the region about institutional adaptation of
forestry institutions to the evolving forest sector needs and requirements; (ii) support to
improved governance by introduction of wide range of measures including organisational
and working capacity.
Forests outlook studies: (i) Forestry Outlook Study for West and Central Asia (FOWECA)
and; (ii) Forestry Outlook Study for Africa (FOSA) – North Africa Region
Voluntary guidelines on (i) best forestry practices in arid and semi-arid zones; (ii) Fire
management - Principles and strategic actions; (iii) Responsible management of planted
forests
Forest Protection: (i) Establishment of Near East network on Forest Health and Invasive
Species, NENFHIS, including website and newsletter hosted by RNE and (ii) establishment
of the Near East Network on Forest Fire (NENFIRE)
Wildlife: Establishment of the Near East Working Group on Wildlife and Protected Area
Management (NEWPAM)
National Forest Programme Facility: support to capacity building for participatory forest
policy formulation, implementation and follow-up
Forests and range resources assessment through regional workshops and support to
countries national reporting to the global Forest Resources Assessment.
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ACHIEVEMENTS
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Near East Forestry Commission: Meeting of the 11th to 19th sessions and inter-sessions
activities for the NEFC Steering Committee.
Teheran Process of Low Forest Cover Countries: the RNE Forestry Unit played a key role
for the establishment of the Teheran Process and the support provided by the Organization
for the functioning of the LFCC Secretariat. Coordination with the TP Secretariat of LFCCs
continues to strengthen for increased and coordinated support to member countries.
In order to reduce knowledge gaps, avoid duplication and provide member countries best
technical assistance possible, the RNE Forestry Unit worked in unison with the NEFC to
strengthen collaboration with regional organizations/institutions including League of Arab
States (LAS), the Arab Centre for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD),
the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development (AOAD), the International Centre for
Agricultural Research for Dry Areas (ICARDA), etc.
Near East Process on Criteria and Indicators (NEC&I) for Sustainable Forest Management
(SFM): was initiated in 1996 and endorsed by the NEFC in 2000. The NEC&I for SFM was
established to assist the countries in the region to report on their forest resources based
on region’s specific seven criteria and sixty-five indictors. The foresters in the region have
benefited from a number of regional workshops and expert meetings that reviewed the
applicability of the criteria and indicators in countries concerned and the availability of
information and national capacities for collection and analysis of data
Coordination with Silva Mediterranea on wide scope of activities that benefited the
countries south of the Mediterranean sea including policies and inter-sectoral collaboration,
knowledge and information, public awareness, forest and finance, climate change,
research, education etc.
Climate change: adapting forests and ranges to global changes for sustainable development:
A regional study was carried out on assessing the risk and vulnerability to climate change
for the forestry and range sector in the Near East
Field programme:
At the country level, the RNE Forestry Unit contributed or lead large field programme focused
on policies and legislation, forest, and watershed management, wildlife and protected areas
management, capacity building and forest protection. It provided support and backstopping to
projects and programmes in all countries of the region.
i. Forest policies, Legislation and Institutions:
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Support to the implementation of national forest policy, UTF/MOR/028/MOR
Support to National Forest and Alfa Policy and Strategy Formulation, TCP/ALG/3101
Support to co-management of Tunisian forestry resources (TCP/TUN/3101 (D)
Support to Forest Policy and Strategy for Sector Development, TCP/JOR/3002 (A)
Support to Forest Policy and Programme for Sustainable Development and Achievement
of Millennium Development Goals, UTF/LEB/…/LEB
Assistance to forest policy formulation, legislation and institutional reorganization, TCP/
EGY/3103 (A)
Forest sector policy and institutional development in Arab Republic of Syria, TCP/SYR/3103
FAO REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE NEAR EAST
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Technical assistance for forest development, UTF/TUN/020/TUN
Technical assistance for participatory community forest development, UTF/TUN/027/TUN
Forestry Development (Phase III), GCP /YEM/015/SWI
iii. Forest, watershed and protected areas management
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Strategy for sustainable development of cork tree forests in Tunisia, UTF/TUN/032/TUN
Design, Testing and Evaluation of Best Practices for In-situ Conservation of Economically Important
Wild Plant Species, EP /INT/204/GEF
Sustainable wildlife management for better conservation and enhancement of natural resources in
Morocco, GCP /MOR/031/CEH
Diagnosis and action plan for the development of Mountain zones, TCP/MOR/3202
Watershed management pilot project, MOR/93/010/ /01/99
Watershed Management, MOR/87/020/ /01/12
Pilot Hunting Installation, GCP/MOR/021/CEH
Technical Assistance for management, development, biodiversity conservation and
sustainable development of natural resources and training, UTF /TUN/033/TUN
Integrated watershed management in North West, TUN/84/004/ /01/12
Rehabilitation, Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Mangroves, TCP/EGY/0168
Support to the rehabilitation of Wadi Tanef watershed in the Ibb Governorate, TCP/
YEM/3303
Assistance to the Green Belt Project Around Aden, TCP/YEM/0156
Sustainable Environmental Management, YEM/97/100/ /09/12
Watershed Management and Waste Water Re-Use in Peri-Urban Areasof Yemen, GCP/
YEM/026/NET
Forestry Component Land and Water Conservation Project, UTF/YEM/023/YEM
Participatory and Integrated Management of Forest Resources in Syria, GCP /SYR/007/
ITA
Planning, Management and Monitoring of Pilot Watersheds, UTF /IRA/023/IRA
Hable Rud Watershed, IRA/97/002/ /01/99
Caspian Sea Forest Management, IRA/89/014/ /01/12
iv. Desertification control and landscape restoration
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Desertification Control Project, IRA/97/004/ /01/99
Walnut plantation, IRA/89/029/ /01/12
Rehabilitation of forest landscapes and degraded land with particular attention to saline
soils and areas prone to wind erosion, GCP /IRA/059/GFF
Preparation of a National Tree Planting and Development of Peri-Urban Forestry, TCP/
EGY/7821
Combating sand encroachment, TCP/TUN/2252
Inter Regional Program for Poverty Alleviation and Combating Desertification through
collaborative Watershed Management, GCP /INT/093/SPA
Forest Seed Centre, IRA/89/015/ /01/12
Afforestation, YEM/88/034/ /01/12
ii. Forest development
v. Forest protection:
•
•
•
•
•
36
Forest development project, Phase II, UTF /MOR/011/MOR
Strategic study for integrated management of forests, UTF/TUN/032/TUN
Evaluation of development plan of Mamora forest, GCP /MOR/010/DEN
Forestry Development, JOR/87/007/ /01/12
•
Monitoring and Rehabilitation of Juniper Ecosystem in Sarawat Mountains in Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia, UTF/SAU/010/SAU
Support of the establishment of national strategy for surveillance and monitoring of forest
health - a pilot case of the Middle Atlas, TCP/MOR/3101
37
ACHIEVEMENTS
•
•
•
Participatory and Integrated Forest Fires Management Plan, GCP /SYR/010/ITA
Support to the implementation of national strategy for the control and monitoring of forest
health – pilot case of the Middle Atlas, TCP/MOR/3101
Capacity Building in Sustainable Forest Management Planning and Forest Fire Management
in Syria, GCP /SYR/014/TUR
vi. Emergency Assistance:
•
Assessment of damage and needs in agriculture, fisheries and forestry following hostilities
in Lebanon, TCP/LEB/3101 (E)
vii. Capacity building
•
•
•
•
Training of Trainers of the General Directorate of forests, TF/UTF 21 211
Improving the training capacity of the Arab Institute for Forestry and Range, TCP/RAB/3003
Institutional capacity strengthening for the development of mountain quality products Case of safran, TCP/MOR/3201
Training on Watershed Management, IRA/86/004/ /01/12
viii. Institutions
•
•
Restructuring the Forestry Administration, TCP/MOR/0052
Strengthening of the Faculty of Natural Resources, RA/87/014/ /01/12
3.7 Food And Agricultural Policy
Policy assistance, including both policy advice and capacity building, remain an important area
for FAO activities in the Near East Region. Assistance on a continued bases was provided to
all countries in the region and to sub-regional and regional economic organizations and was
focused on addressing key priority issues, including, formulation of sustainable agricultural
development and food security strategies and designing policies and strengthening capacities
in priority areas such as food production and productivity improvement, scarce water
management, trade development and negotiations, livestock and transboundary animal and
plant diseases.
Policy Advice: Policy advice has been provided to support enhancing the responsiveness
of the agricultural sector to national/regional/global policy environment signals and favour an
economically sustainable development and investment environment that will promote SARD
and food security. Advice has been provided to several countries in the region on the priority
issue of water and expert consultations were organized on water policy reform at the regional
and sub-regional levels to exchange information and experiences and to draw lessons learned
for better programming and policy assistance. Through its Initiative on Soaring Food Prices
(ISFP), FAO provided policy advice along with technical and financial support to several
countries in the Region in their attempts to cope with the soaring food prices of 2008. This
included assessments of the magnitude of food prices changes, their implications for food
security and the short and medium term actions needed to deal with the food price crisis. FAO,
in collaboration with the World Bank and IFAD, also prepared a regional study that outlines
critical strategies for addressing the Region’s vulnerability to price shocks. Through the
implementation of joint UN-FAO programme, FAO provided assistance to Tunisia for policies
designed to deal with youth employment. The policy unit of the FAORNE has also been active in
promoting policies favoring investment in rural and agricultural development and co-operation
with development finance institutions and their support for agriculture and food security;
38
FAO REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE NEAR EAST
examples include: (a) Senior Meeting/Workshop between FAO and Islamic Development
Bank (IDB) in Jeddah for spearheading the collaboration for Regional Programmes for Food
Security; (b) A joint IDB/FAO seminar on Financing Agriculture Development; (c) Preparation
and holding of the Side-Event Roundtable for Financing Agricultural Development during the
27th and 30th Sessions of the FAO Regional Conference for the Near East in Qatar and Sudan.
Sepcialized policy advice was provided to many countries in the region on issues related to
structural adjustment programmes, water management, WTO and trade negotiations, regional
cooperation in agriculture, qat production and external investment in agriculture.
Field Programme Development and Project formulation and implementation: FAORNE
led and/or participated in multidisciplinary teams for field programme development in many
countries of the Near East. Fully fledged programming missions were organized for Jordan,
Sudan, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Yemen. As a result, national and regional project
proposals were prepared and forwarded to development partners for funding. Assistance was
also provided to countries in the region through the formulation and implementation of many
regional, sub-regional policy-related technical and investment programmes and projects. More
than 45 policy-related UTF, GCP and TCP projects were formulated and implemented during
the period 1994-2010. Ten food security-related projects were formulated for the Economic
Cooperation Organization (ECO) member countries within the Regional Programme for Food
Security (RPFS) and assisted in negotiating their funding through the Islamic Development
Bank (IDB).
Strategies and Development plans: RNE continued its support to Member Countries in
their efforts to review and formulate long-term sustainable agricultural and rural development
strategies, policies and national plans of action, in order to enhance their food security
situation and to meet their commitments under the WFS Plan of Action and the MDGs. Support
was provided to 28 countries in the preparation of the “National Strategies for Agricultural
Development and Food Security to the horizon 2010”, and to the horizon 2015-30 for 5
countries. ; the formulation and implementation of Regional Programmes for Food Security
(RPFS) for three of the regional economic organizations in the region (CAEU, GCC and AMU)
and long-term national agricultural development strategies towards 2015 and 2030 for five
countries (Egypt, Jordan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Syria). In most cases, assistance was
extended to also formulate detailed plans of action for the implementation of strategies.
Capacity Building: Capacity development support was provided to member countries to
strengthen their policy analysis and planning capacities on food security and agricultural
development. More than 40 regional expert meetings and technical workshops were organized
in the region focusing on strengthening policy analytical capacities in areas of economic
reform and structural adjustment, financing agricultural and rural development, water demand
management, WTO, and regional and bilateral trade and cooperation agreements (including with
the EU), food safety and standards, commodity chain analysis and marketing, and productivity
enhancement. Numerous capacity building activities were also implemented at the individual
country levels focusing on issues of particular interest to each country. Examples of capacity
development activities frequently implemented include training on food and agriculture policy
analysis with special emphasis on credit and rural finance policies; strengthening sustainability
issues and environmental considerations in the planning and analysis of agricultural
investment projects; impact of macro and sectoral policies on rural poverty; policy issues
and implementation for water demand management; water policy analysis and management.
Several trade related capacity building activities were carried out to serve countries of the
region in their preparations for multinational trade negotiations. Eight training workshops and
seminars on WTO agreements and trade policy analysis were held for countries in the Near
East benefitting more than 120 government officials. Arabic resource manuals on Uruguay
39
ACHIEVEMENTS
Round and Multilateral Trade Negotiations and on Implications of URAoA (Agreement on
Agriculture) for Developing Countries and other regional trade reports were published and
distributed to Member Countries. A working document on “Trade Liberalization Policies, Intraregional Trade and Sustainable Agriculture Development” has also been prepared to enhance
intra-regional trade in view of promoting regional and national food security. Training material
was produced and some of the important FAO training manuals were translated into Arabic.
Technical assistance programmes/projects for Near East countries to enhance institutional
capacities for the policy analysis, planning, food security and trade units in the Ministries of
Agriculture had also been provided. One of the successful examples is the project to support
establishment and functioning of the National Agricultural Policy Center in Syria (NAPC) as an
autonomous policy support institution.
Studies and Publications: Assistance was also provided to countries at the regional, subregional and individual country levels through the conduct of specialised studies on policy
issues of particular concern to them. More than 15 comprehensive regional thematic studies
were prepared and disseminated in the region covering issues of food security and its prospects
in the region, agriculture outlook towards 2050, investment in agriculture and opportunities
for increased flow of effective intra-regional investments, experiences with water demand
management, soaring food prices and their implications for small farmers, WTO and emerging
trade issues and their implications for food security in the region.
3.8 Agricultural Research, Extension and Rural Development
FAO RNE implemented a number of activities to enhance capacities of the agricultural research
and extension services to promote agricultural production and productivity and improve
efficiency and resource use management. The activities and resulted achievements are given
below
Training: Organized regional training sessions on management improvement and capacity
building in agricultural research to Directors of Agricultural Research institutions, Kuwait 1999;
and on the integration of environment education in extension programmes. Regional seminars
were also organized on curriculum development of mid-level agricultural technical training
institutions, Malta 1995; development of agricultural marketing extension systems, Lebanon
1994; and the role of extension in the promotion of proper use of water and agro-chemicals at
the farm level, Jordan 1994
Conferences and Workshops: organized in collaboration with national institutes and with
the Centre for Agrarian Reform and Development in the Near East (CARDNE) on re-orienting
Extension and in-service training programmes to improve Environmental management, SARD
and Food Security, Iran 1996; Options of Reform for Agricultural Extension in the Near East”
(Jordan, October 2004); Applications of ICTs for Enhanced Extension Linkages, Coordination
and Services” (Tunisia, November2004); and Regional workshop on Reform of National
Agricultural Extension Systems in Tunisia;
Expert Consultations and Technical Meetings: included a Regional meeting on strategies for
higher agricultural education for the year 2000 and beyond, Cairo 1992; Expert Consultations
on strengthening agricultural extension systems in NE, Ankara 1993; higher agricultural
education: its future role in sustainable agriculture and environment protection, and its linkages
with agricultural research and extension, UAE 1995; and strengthening role of agricultural
education and extension institutions in addressing environmental issues for SARD, Egypt 1994
40
FAO REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE NEAR EAST
Studies and Publications: (a) prepared studies on “integrating communication for development
in agriculture and rural knowledge and information systems (ARKIS) for collaborative natural
resource management in the Near East; Needs Assessment for Improvement of Production
and Marketing of Non-traditional, Exportable Products for Small and Medium-scale Farmers;
status and performance of extension systems in the region; (b) collaborated with the
Mediterranean Basin in undertaking joint research relating to (Buffalo, Sheep and Goat; Rice,
Cotton, Pasture and Fodder Crops; Nuts and Olives); (c) initiated studies on the institutional
need assessment of agricultural research and technology, extension and higher education
for the Near East Countries; Strategic Extension Campaigns (Jordan) Participatory Training
Methodology (Syria), and integrating new themes into agricultural extension programmes,
such as Environmental and Population Education (Egypt); and (d) translated into Arabic the
Compendium of FAO Experiences in Basic Education” and several key FAO publications on
extension and education. FAO RNE also developed a Database for Extension Organizations
in the Near East and prepared a paper on “Targeting the Rural Poor: the Role of Education
and Training”.
Networking: FAO continued giving support to member countries in strengthening their
research institutions through support to the Regional Forum (AARINENA), the Global Date
Palm Network and the Olive Network.
RNE has been actively involved in preparation and implementation of the following projects:
•
•
•
•
a pilot project on virtual extension and research communication work in Egypt, Agricultural
knowledge and information system for Rural Development in Morocco, environmental
protection in Algeria, development of environmental management plan in Iran, development
of agricultural meteorological sub-sector in Iraq
provided technical support to field projects on Strengthening and Building Capacity of
Extension Services in Lebanon; Rural and Agricultural Development Communication
Network (RADCON) project in Egypt; Improvement of Agricultural Training Centres in the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; and Mainstreaming Population, Environment and Food Security
Issues into Agricultural Extension Programmes in Egypt
drafted a project proposal on “Intensification and Diversification of the Agricultural
Production Systems to Support Food Security in the New Valley in Egypt”
provided technical support to the FAO/UNFPA Field Programme Partnership on “Integration
of Environmental and Population Education in Extension Programmes” conducted in
several countries in the region;
3.9 Agro-Industry and Rural Infrastructure
Activities were directed towards tackling the varied problems of agro-industry in the Near
East region and are related to value addition during the value chain of the different types of
foods (cereals & grains, perishables, dairy, meat, fish, etc, whether fresh, semi processed or
processed) and to enhancing exchange of information and experiences in these fields among
countries of the Region.
Training:
•
•
Regional course on utilization of agricultural residues for food and feed production with
objective of providing the state of the art in cultivation of various mashroom production
technologies, project management and animal feed from agricultural waste
Organized, in collaboration with AARINENA, 3 training workshops on Post-harvest two in
Amman, Jordan on Fundamentals of PH tech. with emphasis on sub-regions and important
41
ACHIEVEMENTS
•
•
crops, and the third in Antalya, with emphasis on economic aspects, international aspects
& standards, international markets, regulations and impact of globalization, WTO & PH
technologies in packing houses, packaging, storage, transportation, etc..
Prepared for a training course on Molecular Marker Techniques with emphasis on dates
finger printing in collaboration with the Agricultural Genetic Engineering Research Institute
(AGERI) and Agricultural Research Centre (ARC) in Egypt.
Organized and published Proceedings of the Regional Training workshop on the
implementation and application of traceability systems for food supply chains, held in
Amman, Jordan 26-28 January, 2009.
Expert Consultations, Technical Meetings and Forums:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Regional expert consultation on the application of nuclear techniques in food eradication,
Egypt 1993
RNE co-sponsored, with Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, the First International
Conference on Biotechnology application for Arid Regions, held in Kuwait, April 2001.
Organized a sub-regional workshop on improving agro-industries, held in Mauritania on
October 24-25, 2001.
Completed study on utilization of date-palm residues in nine date-producing countries and
discussed in Expert Consultation, Cairo 1997
Organized the 1st Expert Consultation Meeting on the Utilization of AGR held in Cairo 6-8
June, 2004.
Organized Second Arab Conference on Perspectives of Modern Biotechnology in
collaboration with ESCWA and other UN agencies, Jordan 1993
Provided technical and financial contributions to Global Date Palm Network (GDPN) to
activate postharvest and Marking Working Group.
Prepared for and organized an expert consultation meeting on strengthening linkages
between biotechnology and postharvest, Tunisia 2006.
Conducted and produced proceedings of the 2nd Expert Consultation on the Utilization of
Agricultural Residues – Emphasis on Bio-fuels, Egypt 2007.
Organized and published proceedings of Regional Expert Consultation meeting on AgroIndustries Development, 2009.
Seminars and Workshops:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
42
Regional workshop on utilization of agro-industrial residues in countries of the Region,
Egypt
Regional Post harvests Workshop was held at Alexandria University, from 11-13 November
2001. Also, Date Palm and Olive Networks were expanded, and forged cooperation
with ESCORENA for better exchange of information, harmonization of standards, and
procedures.
Regional workshop on Agricultural residue utilization, Syria 1994
Organized a regional workshop on food irradiation process control as part of the regional
cooperative project on research, development and training on food irradiation in NE.
Regional consumer information seminar on food irradiation, Tunis 1994
Regional workshop on date-palm post-harvest technology to increase value added products
and reduce post-harvest losses and encourage exports, Teheran 1999
Regional workshop on techno-economic feasibility of food irradiation, Syria 1995
Conducted a Bio-Safety Workshop in Syria in coordination with SDRR-HQ
FAO REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE NEAR EAST
•
•
•
Organized a Seminar on JOJOBA (7 December 2003) in Collaboration with The Desert
Research Center and Al Ahram Daily Newspaper in response to a request by some national
producers, exporters, and processor. The seminar focused on new trends in utilization of
the JOJOBA.
Organized and participated in the Sub-Regional workshop on Technology Transfer in
collaboration with NCARTT, JUST and AARINENA, Jordan, 2004,
Organized and participated in the Regional Technology Transfer workshop held in Oman,
2004
Studies:
•
•
•
•
Preparation of a study on Vermiculture in Egypt: Current Development and Future Potential
– to be published in the RNE web site.
Preparation of a study on Bio-energy systems development for Near East and North Africa:
Study finalized in December 2010 – to be published in the RNE web site very soon, and
possibly a TCP project proposal will be derived from it.
Preparation of a study on Charcoal industries in Egypt: Finalization in process – expected
before end of January, 2011.
Studies on Agro-Industries in Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco and Tunisia were
prepared.
Translations and Publications:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Reviewed and printed a book in Arabic on Harvesting, Handling and processing of Dates.
Provided and financial support to print the proceedings of the 12th International Conference
and Exhibition on Recent Trends in Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Production, Manufacture
and Marketing (Current and Prospective Status), that was held in Cairo, Egypt from
November 21 - 23, 2006.
Preparation/publishing of Post harvest manual (English/Arabic).
Manual of traceability systems for Citrus, Olives and Dates: Finalized – to be published
soon.
Preparation of a manual on Apiculture: Finalization in process – expected before end of
January, 2011.
Translation into Arabic and currently in process of printing of 6 Diversification booklets on:
(1) Beekeeping and sustainable livelihoods, (2) Processed foods for improved livelihoods,
(3) Milk for health and wealth, (4) Higher value addition through hides and skins, (5) Sheep
and goats for diverse products and profits & (6) Growing vegetables for home and market.
Translation of INPHO CD into Arabic. Crops of importance to the region were translated
into Arabic. Currently a consultant is hired to put all documents on the CD format similar to
the English version.
Losses and wastes in the food chain: Translation into Arabic finalized – to be published
soon.
Agro industries, water resources & public health: Translation into Arabic finalized – to be
published soon.
Waste management opportunities for rural communities: Translation into Arabic finalized –
printing in process.
Small scale bio-energy initiatives: Case studies: Translation into Arabic finalized – printing
in process).
43
ACHIEVEMENTS
FAO REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE NEAR EAST
Projects:
Studies and working documents
•
•
•
•
•
Prepared project document on Small-scale apiculture for livelihoods development in Sudan
Developed TCP projects proposals on Development of capacity building projects on the
prevention of food losses in the Near east and North Africa Region; and for Capacity
building for food losses in North Africa
Some projects have been developed either in the form of a concept note or in the form
of project proposals and have been discussed with some authorities and stakeholders in
some countries and will continue the discussion to identify funding mechanism.
Provided technical backstopping to project UTF/EGY/021 (RADCON) and project TCP/
EGY/3001 (A) (NARIMS).
3.10 Agricultural Marketing and Credit
•
•
•
•
•
Preparation of working documents on Urban Food Distribution Systems in selected
Metropolitan areas in NE and their presentation at a regional seminar on same subject,
Cairo 1997
Prepared studies on olive oil Marketing and trade in NE as working documents for Regional
seminar, held in Cairo 1997
Finalized technical document on the impact of GATT on intra-regional trade in the Near
East
Review legislative constraints for liberalization and privatization of agricultural marketing
Proto-type curricula for marketing business management courses for Arab universities
Studies on improved post-harvest handling and export promotion in selected countries in
the Near East;
Emphasis of FAO RNE programme in agricultural marketing and credit has been geared
towards supporting member countries in enhancing their institutional and human resource
capacities through training, formulation and implementation of projects, organization of forums
and meetings for exchange of experiences and information concerning the formulation and
development of effective agricultural marketing and credit systems and through carrying
out studies to establish regional/sub-regional market information systems to stimulate intraregional trade. The programme also continued to support the FAO established Near East and
North Africa Regional Agricultural Credit Association (NENARACA) and the Agricultural Food
Marketing Association for the Near East and North Africa (AFMANENA). Most of the activities
performed were implemented in collaboration with these two Regional Networks.
Preparation and backstopping of field projects
3.10.1 Support the functioning of AFMANENA
3.10.2 Support the functioning of NENARACA
Seminars, technical meetings and expert consultations
Seminars, technical meetings and expert consultations:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Subregional seminar on agricultural MKTg for improvement and promotion of fruit and
vegetable exports, Syria 1993
Sub-regional seminar on marketing extension, Lebanon 1994
Regional seminar on Export Market Liberalization Programmes, Jordan 1995
Regional Expert consultation on the Impact of changing International Trade environment
on agricultural Trade in NE Region, Cyprus 1994
A regional seminar on the impact of effective food quality control on agricultural MKG and
trade in the NE, Cairo 1996
Urban food security and agricultural marketing
Marketing activities included Seminar on Urban Food Security, Amman, Jordan.
Regional Seminar on Agricultural Marketing Business Management, Cairo, Egypt;
Two regional meetings on contract-farming and on strategies and programmes for
elimination of major marketing constraints were held
Regional Seminars on Strategies and Programmes for Elimination of Major Marketing
Constraints (Lebanon, 2003);
Contract Farming (Jordan, 2003);
•
Technical assistance in formulation of marketing programmes for projects on integrated
production of cash crop in Yemen;
Translation and Publications
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
A number of technical agricultural marketing publications in Arabic were produced
Translation into Arabic of a number of publications concerning marketing policies, regulation,
information, marketing costs and contract farming.
Sixth technical consultation of the International scheme for Agricultural credit development
(SACRED), Jordan 1995
Regional seminar on the impact of economic reforms, specially structural adjustment
programmes on rural finance, Lebanon 1994
A seminar on credit for marketing was organized in cooperation with AFMANENA, Syria
1997
Introduction of automation in agricultural banks-micro-banker
Requirements for implementation of credit guarantee funds
Seminar on “Towards Universal Rural Banks,” organized for introduction of Micro-Banker
in some countries of the Region
Organizing a seminar on “Administration and Management of Rural Credit for Small Scale
Farmers
Development of micro-finance in the Near East;
Training and workshops:
Training and workshops
•
•
•
Studies and working documents:
Regional workshop on the planning, organization and management of food wholesale
markets, Amman 1993
•
44
Savings mobilization, Egypt 1994
Innovative credit techniques
Providing support to NENARACA in carrying out studies on reforming rural finance institution
in Jordan and Syria;
45
ACHIEVEMENTS
FAO REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE NEAR EAST
Preparation and backstopping of field projects:
•
•
•
Technical Backstopping TCP project on microcredit in Yemen
Translation and Publications:
•
•
•
•
The Second volume of the text for Arab Universities concerning agric. Credit and finance
in selected NE countries is being finalized.
Translated FAO Bulletin on Inventory credit from English to Arabic
Technical publications including 4 training modules in agricultural credit administration
were produced
3.11 Knowledge, Information Management and Networking
Programme
Knowledge and information management and networking has been provided on a continued
basis to all member countries in the region and was one of the key areas of intervention
identified as a priority by the various sessions of the Regional Conference and the regional
Commissions and the framework of the contributions towards the achievement of the World
Food Summit (WFS) Targets and the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). Work in this
area included technical assistance, advisory services, policy assistance, and capacity building,
within the framework of the specific priorities identified.
•
•
•
•
UTF Down Stream project activity for the Establishment of Agricultural Information Centers
in the three Pilot Governorates (Basra, Anbar, and Erbil) in Iraq approved in 2010.
UTF/OMA/006/OMA - Development of Agricultural Information Centre (AICE) project in
Oman [255,000 US$ budget for two years] approved in 2009;
UTF National Agricultural Research Knowledge and Information Network (NARKIN)
project in Egypt [12,750,000 US$ budget for five years] submitted for government/donor
organizations in 2008;
TCP/JOR/3202 - National Agricultural Information System (NAIS) project in Jordan [275,000
US$ budget for three years] approved in 2007;
UTFN/SAU/021 Saudi Agricultural development Communication Network (SADCN) project
in Saudi Arabia [4,000,000 US$ budget for five years] approved in 2006;
UTF/EGY/021 - Rural and Agricultural Development Communication Network (RADCON)
project in Egypt [1,500,000 US$ budget for four years] approved in 2004].
TCP/EGY/3001 - National Agricultural Research Information Management System
(NARIMS) project in Egypt [217,000 US$ budget for two years] approved in 2004;
Technical Support Services: were provided to projects TCP/EGY/0065 VERCON - Virtual
Extension Research Communication Network in Egypt, UTF/EGY/021 RADCON - Rural
and Agricultural Development Communication Network in Egypt, TCP/EGY/3001 NARIMS
- National Agricultural Research Information Management System in Egypt, TCP/JOR/3102
NAIS – National Agricultural Information System in Jordan, UTF/OMA/006 AICE/NAKEMS Agricultural Information Centre in Oman, TCP/EGY/3104 FIVIMS in Egypt, UTFN/SAU/031 PCU - Projects Coordination Unit project in Saudi Arabia, and UTFN/SAU/025-IPHM-Integrated
Plant Health Management project in Saudi Arabia. Work included 35 technical backstopping
missions for the provision of technology systems and capacity building including policy
assistance, institutional development and restructure, strengthening of national institutions
and training, Conducted 15 advisory missions as per the requests of member countries (3 Egypt, 3 - Emirates, 3 - Jordan, 3 - Oman, 2 - Saudi Arabia, and 1 - Iraq).
Capacity Development Support to Member Countries: FAORNE is giving due consideration
to building capacities among policy­makers, managers of agricultural institutions and information
managers with a target to promote investment in agricultural information and knowledge
management and appreciate the importance of effective information management strategies,
structures and procedures in their institutions. FAORNE provided capacity development support
to member countries to strengthen their capacities for effective information management and
knowledge sharing and exchange as follows:
Knowledge Management to Fight Hunger
The substantive activities and achievements of RNE during 2002-2010 in the area of regional
knowledge and information management and networking can be summarized as follows:
Support to project formulation
Assisted countries in formulating the following seven UTF/TCP field projects for effective
information management and knowledge exchange for rural and agricultural development.
46
Organized 8 regional training workshops on information management and knowledge exchange
systems for ARD in cooperation with regional and international partners. These training
workshops were through face-to-face courses and IMARK distance learning, NERAKIN and
NAIS and AGRIS training materials, targeted to needs of member countries and networks.
Three proceedings workshops were edited, published and distributed to member countries;
Organized 3 regional training workshops on agricultural information and communication
management systems for development in cooperation with local and regional partners, for
the establishment of Near East Plant Protection Network (NEPP-NET) and Near East Virtual
Extension Research Communication (VERCON) Network. Organized 23 national training
workshops in agricultural research information management and networking in cooperation with
national partners. Supervised and participated in organizing 20 ICM/ICT training workshops
and 7 trainings of trainers (TOT) workshops for RADCON stakeholders in Egypt.
47
ACHIEVEMENTS
FAO REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE NEAR EAST
VERCON and RADCON in Action: Extension workers helping farmers using VERCON/RADCON Networks
Regional Trainings on the thematic knowledge networks
Developed the Near East and North Africa Rural Agricultural Knowledge and Information
Network (NERAKIN- http://www.nerakin.net/) for member countries, which includes one
regional gateway and 17 national knowledge and information portals for member countries as
a platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration for development for strengthening regional
networking, requested and driven by NARS at national and regional levels; In addition,
assistance was provided in building capacities in information and knowledge management within
the Region’s national agricultural research institutions. This was done in collaboration with the
Association of Agricultural Research in Near East and North Africa (AARINENA), the Global
Forum for Agricultural Research (GFAR), the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development
(AOAD) and the International Center for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas (ICARDA). FAO
also helped to promote, at a regional level, the pre-existing global programmes and initiatives
designed to facilitate access to agricultural scientific information, to strengthen partnerships
and everyday collaboration with key regional institutions and to implement national capacity
building activities.
Promoted at a regional level the global AGORA “Access to Global Online Research in Agriculture”
programme and CIARD “Coherence in Information for Agricultural Research for Development”
initiative, for facilitating access to agricultural scientific information, strengthened partnerships
and collaboration with key regional institutions, and implemented national capacity building
activities (e.g. Sudan, Jordan and Oman). More than one hundred institutions have the capacity
to access and use resources on AGORA. FAO and a large number of international and regional
partners promoted the Coherence on Information for Agricultural Research for Development
(CIARD) initiative aimed at making agricultural research information truly accessible to all
(address: http://www.ciard.net/). The CIARD Manifesto was revised on the basis of feedback
received from member countries in the region during a workshop held in 2009, and endorsed
at the Global Conference on Agricultural Research for Development (GCARD) held in France
in 2010. In addition to the Manifesto, the CIARD initiative facilitates access to practical tools to
support coherent approaches to enhancing agricultural information access.
Facilitated the establishment and development of institutional networks for member countries
for strengthening knowledge exchange and accessing related information and knowledge; Inhouse development for the Institution based Agricultural Information System/Network (version
1.0) and web Documents Information Management System (Web-DIMS Version 2.0) which are
disseminated and available online to be downloaded by member countries institutions. Twenty
Five innovative tools (DIMS, AIS Modules, NAIS Modules, NAKEMS Modules, Knowledge
Ring) were developed in compliance with AGRIS and CIARD initiatives, for dissemination to
Near East countries.
Continued to provide contributions for member countries in close collaboration with regional
organizations to provide a framework for sustainability and ownership by the National
Programmes for facilitating knowledge sharing through the establishment and facilitation of
thematic knowledge networks (Near East Plant Protection Network (), Regional Agricultural
Biotechnology Network (http://www.rabnena.net/) as a virtual community of professional staff
and collaborating centers related to these thematic areas); and Near East VERCON Network
(http://www.vercon-neareast.net/) for strengthening linkages between extension and research
and farmers.
48
Prepared promotional leaflets, standards guidelines, proceedings and technical publications,
in printed and online formats, and disseminated to all agricultural research institutions in the
region.
Built a robust infrastructure for managing information and knowledge in RNE and provided full
technical support for FAORNE ongoing website information system development and content
management and development for building strong infrastructure for regional agricultural
Information and knowledge initiatives, gateways, portal and databases in order to disseminate
and improve access to information and knowledge as a knowledge organization to all the
stakeholders in the region and to strengthen information dissemination and knowledge sharing
with all stakeholders from member countries and regional organizations in the Near East
Region and to improve FAO visibility and messages at regional level.
Provided technical support to develop the web Information for the Preventive Desert Locust
Management Network (EMPRES) and the Commission for Controlling the Desert Locust in the
Central Region (CRC). It is successfully operational (http://www.crc-empres.org/).
Developed RAIS system (http://www.raisaquaculture.net/) as the creation of a Regional
Aquaculture Information System (RAIS) has been requested by the RECOFI Members
Countries in response to the rapid development of the aquaculture sector in the Region. During
the third Session of the Commission (Doha, May 2005); Kuwait offered to host the RAIS and
allocated funds to develop this regional information system. It was developed using an up-todate information technology and database management and it is user-friendly, allowing rapid
data entry from the administrators and easy retrieval from end users.
49
ACHIEVEMENTS
Developed the Near East and North Africa Regional Network for Agricultural Policies
(NENARNAP – http://www.nenarnap.org/) in 2008; with immediate objectives to enhance
capabilities of agricultural policy analysts and institutions to collect, document, synthesize,
exchange and disseminate information on agricultural policies. FAORNE also supported
NENARNAP in organizing “Agricultural Investment in the Near East: Constraints and Prospects”,
a regional workshop held in Tunis in June 2005.
Capacity Development Support to IGOs/NGOs:
FAO/RNE renewed cooperation with existing IGOs and NGOs operating in the field of FAO’s
mandate and competence and established working relations with new IGOs and NGOs
which have activities relevant to FAO program in the region. This was done in an effort to
strengthening their contributions/inputs/actions to optimize the use of available resources and
provide the necessary technical assistance and advisory services in order to improve their
networking and cooperation.
Many countries of the Region have developed successful experiences in the various fields
of agriculture including knowledge and information management and networking. Member
Countries could greatly benefit from the experience of each other either through in-service
training or by the provision of technical assistance. This process will continue to be developed
further. FAO-TCDC Partnership Programmes, Inter-Governmental Organizations, established
either under the direct auspices of FAORNE or supported by it, as AFMANENA, NENARACA,
CARDNE, NEPPO, INFOSAMAK, AARINENA, will continue to receive technical assistance,
advisory services and necessary backstopping, in order to enhance their role and strengthen
their intervention in their specific fields of specialisation. Thematic networks, specific to crops
or to development themes, will continue to be supported and strengthened. Within this context
not exclusive achievements includes the following:
•
•
•
•
Continued collaboration with AARINENA, GFAR, AOAD and ICARDA to build capacities in
information and knowledge management of national focal points in agricultural research
institutions from countries in Near East and North Africa region, drawing on resource
materials from IMARK and elsewhere, in the following areas:
Awareness of strategic aspects of information and knowledge sharing in national, regional,
and global contexts, especially between researchers and other stakeholders using IKM
tools;
Ability to identify priorities for early implementation of national agricultural information
systems;
Understanding and skills in the application and customization of information management
systems and tools, to facilitate development of national agricultural information systems.
FAO REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE NEAR EAST
FAO/RNE, in collaboration with AARINENA, developed and facilitated the Regional Agricultural
Biotechnology Network (http://www.rabnena.net/) for Near East and North Africa as a virtual
community of professional staff and collaborating centers related to biotechnology.
FAO/RNE, ICARDA and CIHEAM launched the Regional Network on Drought Mitigation, with
EU endorsement and support. National action plans were encouraged and a Regional TCP to
initiate the Network was prepared. FAORNE continued its support of the Regional Network on
Drought Management and its assistance to member countries for developing drought mitigation
strategies and preparedness planning.
FAO/RNE organized a consultation with ICARDA, IBPGR and ACSAD on the Establishment of
WANANET (West Asia and North Africa Plant Genetic Resources Network).
FAO/RNE provided advisory services to Near East Plant Protection Organization (NEPPO)
established in 2010 and the regional project on Fish marketing Information System in the Arab
Region (INFOSAMAK) which was converted into an autonomous IGO by State of Bahrain in
June 1993.
3.12 Emergency and Rehabilitation
FAO continued assisting countries in their attempts to prevent, mitigate, prepare for and respond
to food and agricultural emergencies. FAO’s Emergency and Rehabilitation Programmes
are being implemented in Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and Gaza Strip and Yemen. In
addition, several regional transboundary plant pest and animal disease control programmes
were implemented. Additionally, FAO has responded to the scale and complexity of disasters
in the Near East by providing technical support to rebuild agricultural based livelihoods as well
as seed supplies and tools.
Assistance has been provided to control and ultimately eliminate highly pathogenic avian
influenza (HPAI) and to prepare non-infected countries for rapid detection and response in
case of disease occurrence. In this connection, two sub-regional TCPs have been undertaken
in North Africa and the Middle East in order to assist member countries in developing HPAI
preparedness plans. Direct country support was also provided to Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria,
Yemen and Palestine. In Egypt, FAO established a country unit of the Centre for Transboundary
Animal Diseases (ECTAD) to assist the country’s efforts to control HPAI and provided extensive
technical and capacity strengthening supports. Several bilateral and multilateral projects were
implemented over the last 3 years focusing on strengthening epidemiological and laboratory
capacity, implementation of cost-effective and feasible biosecurity measures, building functional
private public-private partnerships and development of appropriate policies and instruments
required for sound disease control program.
More than 100 institutions received support for capacity building and development in information
and knowledge management, sharing and exchange in partnership with national and regional
organizations (AARINENA, AOAD, ICARDA, NEPPO, ASPP, CALP, CLAES, ARC-Egypt,
MOA-Jordan and MOA-Oman).
RNE Provided technical support to establish and develop the Arabic web sites of the regional
collaborative knowledge networks in Near East Region (AARINENA, AFMANENA, WadiMena,
and CARDNE).
Capacity building of Veterinarian in Egypt
50
Checking Minimum Bio-security measures applied by
farmers
51
ACHIEVEMENTS
In 2008-2009, FAO had a portfolio of 18 operationally-active emergency projects in Iraq,
with a delivery of more than USD 30 million. The focus was on the promotion of employment
generation through cottage industries and micro-enterprises such as dairy processing and
beekeeping, on restoring food safety and food processing capacity, on the resumption of fish
farming and the commercial fish industry, on rehabilitation of the seed industry and the date
palm sector and on strengthening the capacity of veterinary services for disease control.
In 2009, FAO assisted the Iraqi Government in formulating a Joint Programming Strategy for
the Rehabilitation of Iraq’s Marshlands. The programme aims at assisting the marshlands
people and supporting agriculture production and other post production activities in the area,
in particular fisheries, horticulture, livestock, agro-industries, GIS applications and food safety.
In the West Bank and Gaza, FAO has devoted time and energy to the rehabilitation and
revitalization of the agricultural sector, and has implemented multi-disciplinary projects valued
at about USD 14 million, funded by the Governments of Austria, Belgium, Canada, Italy, Japan,
Norway, Spain and Sweden and the Qatar Charity. More than 12 500 households, or 80 000
people, have directly benefited from FAO projects, with special attention being paid to femaleheaded households and the most vulnerable farmers, herders and fishers. Successful projects
include: helping women establish home gardens and livestock production units; improving water
efficiency by installing grey-waste water treatment units and drip irrigation systems in home
gardens and farms; providing training in meeting international standards in good agricultural
practices; training women in food processing and packaging; working with youth through Junior
Farmer Field and Life Skills Schools that teach agricultural and life skills; developing capacity
to cope with avian influenza outbreaks; and building feed centers.
FAO played an important role in the Early Recovery of the agriculture sector in Lebanon
by providing rural farming communities with much-needed technical and financial support.
During 2008-09, five active emergency projects were operational in the country, with a value
of USD 8.4 million. FAO has helped to improve the food security, nutritional and economic
status of low income rural families by helping increase harvest yields and animal production.
Other assistance involved the introduction of new agriculture technologies for the increased
production of vegetables, cheeses, yoghurt and milk.
Following the second consecutive drought in 2008/09 in Syria, which has seriously impacted
crop and livestock production, FAO led a Joint Assessment UN Mission and supported the
government’s efforts to restore food production and to safeguard agricultural livelihoods.
Projects amounting to USD 1.8 million were implemented in 2008 and about USD 3.5 million
in 2009.
In Yemen, FAO is running three emergency projects as part of the UNFPA Humanitarian
Response Plan, for a total of US$11.8 million, to address immediate needs in the agricultural
sector. Their aim is to provide time-critical agricultural inputs to the worst-affected families. In
addition, FAO is conducting an avian influenza response programme (USD 0.4 million), and a
seed supply programme designed to repair the damages of the floods that in 2008 devastated
part of the country (USD 0.5 million). It is also implementing a project for supporting livestock
ownership by internally displaced persons. More recently, FAO has been actively involved in
the preparation of the Humanitarian Response Plan 2010
FAO REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE NEAR EAST
3.13 Desert Locust in the Central Region of the Near East
The Commission for Desert Locust control the in the Central Region of the Near East (CRC)
was established in 1965 within the FAO framework to support Desert Locust operations in
the 16 member countries2 and is entrusted with planning and promoting national, regional
and international actions relating to survey and control of Desert Locust, maintaining reserves
of anti-locust equipment, insecticides and other supplies to be used in case of emergency
and supporting member countries to build national capacities. The Commission also ensures
that all member countries are provided with updated information with regard to Desert Locust
infestations and assists their national research organizations and institutes and coordinates
research activities in areas of desert locust.
Aerial control by aircraft
Ground control by vehicle
Activities/Achievements; The following is a summary of the CRC achievements and activities
in above mentioned areas:
Information: Assisted front-line countries to establish their Information Offices, fully equipped
with knowledgeable trained Information Officers and all facilities required for electronic
transmission of locust reports from the field to the Locust Units and vise-versa. In the same
context all front line countries are routinely and every month issuing and communicating a
Monthly Desert Locust Bulletin to neighbouring countries and concerned organizations and
institutions.
Joint-Border Survey: Encouraged, supported and supervised more than seven border surveys
in some strategically important and inaccessible areas that are not adequately surveyed by
national campaigns and used the results to estimate the scale of potential locust migration from
one seasonal breeding area to another within the Central Region and arrange for necessary
preventive actions.
2 Countries supported by CRC include Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia,
Sudan, Syria, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
52
53
ACHIEVEMENTS
FAO REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE NEAR EAST
Capacity Building: The Commission conducted/organized/supported several national and
regional activities to enhance capacity building and ensure effective Desert Locust survey and
control operations in the region. These activities can be summarized as follows:
4. International Training: Six “train the trainer” courses were held two in each of the United
Kingdom and Oman and one in each of Egypt and Sudan to create Master Trainers to
handle national training courses in the future.
5. DL Management Diploma Course: was provided for the seventh consecutive year
(2001-2008) at the University of Khartoum, Sudan and benefited 43 persons from
Sudan (12), Egypt (8), Yemen (7), Ethiopia (5), Saudi Arabia (2), Iraq (2), and Syria (2),
and one from each of Eritrea, Jordan, Oman, Libya & India. The programme has been
implemented in cooperation with the EMPRES/CR Program.
6. The Commission also supported a number of locust officers in long training courses for
Ph. D. and M. Sc. from universities in the region and beyond.
7. Training Material: A Train the Trainer Manual Kit was prepared, produced and distributed
to all member countries. It contains transparencies on all aspects of Desert Locust,
including survey, control and training skills. Also it contains sessions for the trainers on
how to organize and handle the training sessions.
1. National Training: Financial and technical support were provided to front-line countries
(Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Yemen) at organize
at least one training course annually on Desert Locust survey and control.
2. Sub-regional Training: Organized and financed training for non-front line countries (Bahrain Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar, Syria and United Arab Emirates) to
enhance capacities for preparedness in case of emergencies.
3. Regional Training:
a. Organized, in coordination with the Desert Locust Control Organization for East
Africa (DLCO-EA) regional training courses on specific subjects such as Aerial
Desert Locust and Bio-pesticides Application.
Research: Financial support was provided for research in the field of Desert Locust according
to a priority list, guidelines and formats produced by EMPRES/CR and the Commission.
Results of these research studies are posted to the CRC Web Page.
Regional training course on aerial operations
b. Held a number of workshops on RAMSES (data management) and eLocust2
(electronic Desert Locust reporting from the field) in coordination with the
Desert Locust Information Service (DLIS) and the Locust Control Centre in
Egypt held in Cairo with the objective of updating member countries on the use
and improvement of the RAMSES, eLocust2 and forecasts
c. Organized a workshop on Contingency Planning, in coordination with the Desert
Locust Group in FAO HQ and Locust Control Centre in Egypt, with the objective
of assisting member countries prepare their national contingency plans for
Desert Locust. control
d. Coordinated together with the Commission in the Western Region, workshops
on testing and maintenance of spray equipment used in Desert Locust control
operations. Reports and recommendations of the workshops are posted on the
CRC-EMPRES website.
54
Desert Locust Research
Publications: To compliment the preventive strategy of locust control, the following publications
were produced:
•
•
Continued to translate into Arabic and circulates the monthly bulletin on the Desert Locust
issued by the Desert Locust Information Service (DLIS) of FAO.
Produced electronically in English and Arabic the Desert Locust Glossary of more than
3,000 technical expressions and terms used in the research field and in the control of
Desert Locust and arrangements were made to publish it.
55
ACHIEVEMENTS
FAO REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE NEAR EAST
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Desert Locust Glossary
•
•
•
Produced, in collaboration with EMPRES/CR and DLIS, bilingual (English and Arabic)
field and locust officers guidelines and standard operating procedures for Ground Survey
Operations, Ground Control Operations, Aerial Operation, Green Muscle Mixing and
Application Technique, Radio Communication, and Desert Locust Mobile Teams .
Translated into Arabic and disseminate seven Desert Locust Guidelines (1. Biology and
Behaviour, 2. Survey, 3. Information and Forecasting, 4. Control, 5. Campaign Organization
and Execution, 6. Safety and Environmental Execution, 7. Appendices)
Produced/translated and distributed various brochures, pamphlets, checklists and others.
The Commission produced the report on the Workshop on Spray Equipment Used in Desert
Locust Control in Arabic and English, and distributed to all concerned authorities in order to
benefit from the recommendations made. The report has also been uploaded on the CRCEMPRES website.
•
The Commission regularly updates the information documentations and the up-coming
events presented by the CRC-EMPRES website.
3.14 Women In Development
The thrust of the WID programme in the Near East was towards promotion of the role of women
in agriculture by streamlining the gender-anchored perspectives into the envisaged national
agricultural/rural development plans. A Regional Plan of Action for Women in Agriculture in
the Near East (RPAWANE) has been adopted and supported by FAO RNE for implementation
through country programmes and projects.
Activities and Achievements
•
•
56
Provided guidance to the concerned public and private institutions in assessing their needs
for human resources development.
Collected gender desegregated data, and carried out social impact analysis for agricultural
development programmes and projects.
Prepared and disseminated updated information relating to Gender, and Conservation and
Sustainable Use of Natural Resources.
Held a national workshop to develop a project on Gender, Environment and Food Security
(Morocco 2000)
Organized a SEAGA gender mainstreaming training course in conjunction with Ministry of
Agriculture, Water, Rural Development and Forests, Morocco 2001
Coordinated a Training of trainers (TOT) workshop in on “Participatory Methods for Village
Women in Small Credit Projects”, in cooperation with the Nomad and Rural Women Affairs
Office, Iran 2001.
Published a guidebook on Civil Society Organizations including information on research
centres working with and for rural women in August 2001.
Technical advice was provided to member countries for the integration of a gender dimension
in the formulation of policies, legislation and programmes, in agricultural censuses and in
the SPFS projects.
Organized Regional Training of Trainers sessions on the Socio-economic and Gender
Analysis Programme,
Prepared, in Arabic, English and French, technical documents related to socio-cultural
characteristics of the Near East.
3.15 Agricultural Statistics
Agricultural statistics and information system is an essential tool for the formulation of
development plans and policies, aimed at improving the efficiency of agriculture production
and food security at the country, regional and global levels. And as such FAO mandate includes
to collect, analyze, interpret and disseminate information that relates to food and agriculture of
all countries.
Prior to September 2007, the statistical activities of the Near East region were handled and
supported from the Head Quarters.
Normative statistical activities in the RNE Region include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
To advise and assist countries on development of integrated systems of food and agricultural
statistics and agricultural censuses,
Assist in collecting data and information from national statistical offices to update FAOSTAT,
disseminate and Coordination of Statistics at FAO,
Strength the National Systems of Food and Agricultural Statistics,
Build the capacities of national agricultural statisticians through training workshops and
seminars,
Assist countries in developing TCP projects.
The capacities of the most countries in the region to collect, compile and dessiminate data and
information is rather weak. Lack of fora and or agricultural statistical commissions contributes
to this. Secondly, the absence of statistician in the region for more than 20 years had impacted
the agricultural statistical systems of the region.
Achievements: To overcome the above referred problems, capacity building initiatives were
initiated and include the following:
•
Since 2007 four workshops were organized: (a) data collection and Metadata, (b)
Production, Food Balance Sheets/Supply Utilization Account (c) Agriculture Census and
(D) Food security statistics.
57
ACHIEVEMENTS
•
•
•
In each of these workshops more than fourteen countries of the region with at least 24
participants attended.
Established regional CountryStat system for the Arab Organization for Agriculture
Development (AOAD), technically assisted in implementing CountrySTAT system and
trained their staff.
Assisted the Islamic Republic of Iran in Implementing CountrySTAT system
Even though the impact of these workshops and programmes cannot be easily measured,
the capacity of the national statisticians is improved, and the National Systems of Food and
Agricultural Statistics are strengthened.
The response rate of the yearly questionnaires has improved by almost 10%. This means
countries have strengthened their capacities to collect, compile and disseminate information
and data.
FAO REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE NEAR EAST
4.SUCCESS STORIES
Below are a few examples of selected projects/activities that are considered successful in the
area of knowledge and Information Management for Development.
Project/activity
Success story
Rural and Agricultural
Development
Communication
Network (RADCON)
(UTF/EGY/021/EGY,
2004-2008).
This project has significantly contributed to capacity development of
knowledge management and extension services in the region is the Rural
and Agricultural Development Communication network project in Egypt.1
The project has developed a sustainable operational dynamic
information and communication system that responds to the information
requirements of poor farming communities. The system aims to improve
the communication between extension, research and private and public
institutions involved in rural and agricultural development. An innovative
media communication programme has also been developed to increase
the benefit of RADCON among the targeted population.
This project is founded on participatory communication and sharing
information and knowledge by establishing a triangulation between
extension agents, researchers and the community.2 The objective is to
enable rural communities to participate in generating, developing and
sharing knowledge. Over 115 extension agents in fifty villages were
trained to work with farmers. A comprehensive curriculum for training of
trainers (TOT) in Arabic was developed, field tested and implemented.
Extension agents, particularly those in geographically dispersed areas,
were enabled to have access to information online on various issues
involving agriculture and rural development. The system has also been
a catalyst for developing rural enterprise. For example, extension agents
put small farmers in contact with NGOs to assist them market their
crops. Equally, this has allowed facilitators to learn about what crops
are in market demand, subsequently, provide farmers with the seeds to
cultivate these crops.
During the project three training courses were provided to extension
agents and twelve follow-up workshops. By project completion,
approximately 804 participants were trained in using the system. Other
outputs include five guidebooks for extension agents, which were further
developed to be included in the curriculum of the Faculty of Agriculture,
at the University of Cairo.
Since the RADCON project ended in 2008, it has successfully sustained
itself; more so, up scaled its activities. It is situated in 240 sites in nineteen
governorates in Egypt. Current plans are to expand it to cover one-third
of Egypt (2010-2017) and to cover all Egypt by 2030.
This project has developed a sustainable operational dynamic
information and communication system that responds to the information
requirements of poor farming communities. The system aims to improve
the communication between extension, research and private and public
institutions involved in rural and agricultural development. An innovative
media communication programme has also been developed to increase
the benefit of RADCON among the targeted population.
3 RADCON was developed on the experience of VERCON (Virtual Extension Communication Network) that was based on the concept of
connecting extension with researchers.
4 The budget for RADCON was $US 1.5 million funded by the Italian government; project formulation and implementer was conducted by
FAO.
58
59
ACHIEVEMENTS
FAO REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE NEAR EAST
Project/activity
Success story
Project/activity
National Agricultural
Research Information
Management System
(NARIMS) [TCP/
EGY/3001- 20042006]
The project shows how FAO in collaboration with national counterparts
had significantly contributed to capacity development for facilitating
access to agricultural scientific information, strengthening partnerships
and collaboration with key research institutions, and implemented
national capacity building activities.
GCP /SYR/002/ITA “Assistance in
Agricultural Planning,
Policy Analysis and
Statistics”
It enabled agricultural researchers and scientists to carry out research
more effectively by creating access to research information from Egypt
and elsewhere and strengthening research through the sharing of
information. The NARIMS system/network is designed to also prevent
duplication of research, enhance coordination among various agricultural
research personnel, and assist research directors in monitoring the
achievements of current research plans as well as in formulating new
ones. Its full implementation will lead to efficient utilization of human,
material and financial resources.
Success story
•
•
•
•
TCP/INT/2902
•
TCP/EGY/3201 –
“Support to the
updating of the
agricultural strategy
and the preparation
of a plan of action
for agricultural
development”
The project assisted in formulating a strategy for sustainable agricultural
development to 2030, which is currently the major document guiding the
work in agriculture in Egypt;
GTFS/REM/070/ITA
Integrated Pest
Management for the
Near East
Quantitative Outputs
The Key lessons learned are as follows: Institutional support, Locally
adapted content and context, Building on existing systems, Capacity
building, Strengthening partnerships and participation, Realistic approach
to technologies, and Costs and financial sustainability.
VERCON- Virtual
Extension Research
Communication
Network in Egypt.
TCP/EGY/0065 - 2002
FAO strategic paper
on “improving food
security bin the Arab
World”
The VERCON has successfully demonstrated that the system and its
users can improve linkages between research and extension in eight
pilot nodes. It now forms the basis for creating a national electronic
agricultural knowledge and information network. The network is helping
overcome the physical, administrative, knowledge and communication
barriers that sometimes hinder interactions between researchers and
extension agents, limit their ability to share technical competence, and
ultimately reduce their impact on improving agricultural productivity and
increasing farm incomes. Farmers’ problems component has built a
knowledge base for technical, production and administrative problems
came from farmers and found solutions. Research agenda is built on this
knowledge base as a bottom-up approach is utilized for making research
designated for development.
•
•
•
•
The was Prepared jointly by FAO, the World Bank and IFAD
It provides comprehensive analysis of food security issues in the Near
East and outlines strategic elements for addressing food security
challenges facing countries in the region;
The paper is widely accepted by countries in the region and UN
system organization as forming the basis of the strategic elements
for improving food security in the region;
Widely disseminated within the region.
•
•
•
•
The Regional Programmes for Food Security, prepared by the project
for both the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) and Central
Asia, are currently used as the main guide for the ECO Secretariat
work on agriculture and food security. The project also resulted in
the direct involvement of the Islamic Development Bank which has
agreed to fund 10 national technical cooperation projects and 4
regional capacity building workshops with ECO.
1,500 IPM/FFS established, 1,200 Facilitators (MoA and other
institutions officials, civil society representatives and farmers) and
17,500 Farmers trained in 10 Countries
On average 28% of the Facilitators and 15% of the Farmers are
women
Pesticide utilization reduced: from 51 to 73% throughout the targeted
areas of the Region in Project target crops
On average, 8 % higher yield levels obtained throughout the Project
targeted areas and crops of the Region.
Sustainable Institutionalization of the IPM Methodology
•
•
60
The project was funded by the Government of Italy and continued for
around 10 continuous years;
The project assisted in Syria in its transformation from centrally
palnned into a more market oriented economy;
It provided strong support for strengthen the institutional and human
capacities of the Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform in the
area of planning and policy analysis. More than 200 Government
officials were trained at different levels;
A major outcome of the project is the establishment of the “National
Agricultural Policy Centre (NAPC)” which is now a fully functional
and effective institution helping the country on agriculture and food
security policy analysis and planning.
IPM/FFS became consolidated extension methodology, fully
incorporated and budgeted in the annual plans of some of the target
Countries Governments.
Syria, Iran, Jordan, and Palestinian Territories have also developed
National IPM Programmes.
61
ACHIEVEMENTS
Project/activity
FAO REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE NEAR EAST
Success story
Project/activity
GTFS/REM/070/ITA
Integrated Pest
Management for the
Near East
GTFS/REM/070/ITA
Integrated Pest
Management for the
Near East
Success story
Official Recognition of the Project Impact/Efficiency
•
•
•
In order to face the arising pests related emergencies like the Tuta
Absoluta Pest infestation of Tomato, the Red Palm Weevil Pest on
Palms and the Rust on wheat, the MoA of Syria, Jordan, Lebanon
and Palestinian Territories formally requested FAO and/or directly the
Project assistance to tackle the problems trough IPM approach.
In order to build up their agricultural strategy the MoA of Jordan and
Iran are formally requesting support on Olive production planning;
The Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation of Yemen has officially
requested to be included in the Project highlighting that this issue is
one of the most important priorities of the Government’s program in
the agricultural sector.
Marketing Support
•
•
62
In Iran, interested stakeholders (i.e. farmers, consumers, and other
related representatives from the public and private sector), were
supported to form the “IPM Group of Iran” in early 2010. More than
100 members have already joined (each contributing a membership
fee of about $100) to cover initial administrative costs
In Syria, in the Rural areas of Damascus (Housh Arab Village and
Assal Alward), the Project is assisting to set-up a pilot case called
through a farmers association. This association, composed by
former trainees of Apple FFS, with the Project support, and, trough
assistance of an international company, is trying to develop a Group
Global GAP certification
63
ACHIEVEMENTS
FAO REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE NEAR EAST
5.ANNEX I
Symbol
List of Regional and Sub-regional Projects in NE Region Since
Symbol
Title
EOD
NTE
EOD
NTE
Total
Budget,
USD
GCP /REM/057/SPA
Apoyo Tecnico y Creacion de Redes de Cooperat. que
Faciliten la Coordinacion en Apoyo de la Ordenacion
Pesquera
1996-01
2006-09
7,836,704
RAB/96/008
Nile Basin Cooperative Framework
1999-03
2000-02
31,236
GCP /REM/059/IFA
Regional Animal Disease Surveillance and Control
Unit (Radiscon) in North Africa, Middle East and Arab
Peninsula
1996-07
2004-06
1,511,173
TCP/RAB/6611
Appui a l›Organisation et a la Mise en Place du Reseau
Regional de Chambres d›Agriculture des Pays du
Maghreb
1996-09
1998-06
214,919
TCP/RAB/8921
Strategies for National Agricultural Development Horizon 2010. One-Day National Workshop
2000-01
2000-09
151,000
FPTT/REM/9RJ/FPA
CST Specialist in Amman (TSS/99/P10)
2000-01
2003-12
100,000
GCP /REM/064/IFA
Marine Resources and Environmental Surveys in the
Red Sea, Northwest Arabian Sea and the Gulfs
2000-01
2000-07
68,000
GCP /REM/065/ITA
Regional FAO Ngo/Cso Consultation in Conjuction with
the FAO Regional Conference for the Near East
2000-02
2000-06
50,000
TCP/RAB/0065
Mise en place d`un mécanisme de concertation à
l`échelle du Système aquifère du Sahara septentrional
(SASS)
2001-01
2002-12
302,000
TCP/RAB/9066
Training on Uruguay Round and Future Multilateral
Trade Negotiations on Agriculture for the Arab Gulf
Council
2000-06
2001-01
139,000
TCP/RAB/0067
Consolidation of INFOSAMAK Operations after
Relocation
2001-05
2003-04
85,705
TCP/RAB/9067
Consolidation of INFOSAMAK Operations after
Relocation (recoded from TCP/RAB/0067)
2000-09
2002-06
85,214
GCP /REM/067/CFC
Supervision of CFC Project «Technical Information
Services for Smallholder Fisheries and Promotion of
Interregional Trade» (INFOSAMAK)
2002-08
2006-06
45,000
1990-2010
Total
Budget,
USD
Title
RAB/88/025
Control of Virus and Virus-Like Diseases of Fruitcrops
1990-05
1999-01
1,387,461
RAB/89/005
Mediterranean Region Aquaculture Development (Phase
II)
1990-11
1993-11
1,551,368
RAB/89/034
Sand Dune Stabilization and Afforestation
1990-06
1993-06
878,784
TCP/RAB/0051
TCDC Development in Food Marketing Through Support
to Afmanena
1990-02
1992-01
230,000
TCP/RAB/0052
Preparatory Assistance for a Joint EEC/FAO Programme
for the Control of Varroa Honeybee Mite and Related
Diseases
1990-04
1992-03
313,000
RAB/90/016
Fish Marketing Information for Arab Countries (Phase II)
1990-06
1992-02
252,719
GCP /REM/053/EEC
Joint EEC/FAO for Control of Honeybee Varroa-Mite
(Phase II)
1990-07
1994-03
89,458
RAB/90/034
Eradication Pilot Test of Screwworm from North Africa
1990-10
1991-10
500,804
FPTS/REM/2M1/FPA
UNFPA/FAO TSS Advisers Near East (TSS/92/Pm1)
1992-01
1996-01
245,157
RAB/92/01T
Review of the Agricultural Research Component
1992-11
1993-03
59,338
RAB/91/006
Umbrella Projetc for the Gulf Crisis
1992-04
1992-07
251,603
TCP/RAB/2251
Formulation of Guidelines for a Regional Brucellosis
Control Programme
1992-09
1994-04
146,000
TCP/RAB/2254
Appui au Reseau Maghrebin de Lutte Contre le Bayoud
1993-01
1995-01
140,265
TCP/RAB/2252
Management of Parasitic Weeds ( Orobanche Spp. and
Cuscuta Spp. ) in Crop Areas in the Near East
1993-03
1994-06
154,000
TCP/RAB/2801
Assistance with Forest and Wildlife Legislation (Advance
Allocation) - Recoded from TCP/RAB/2901
2003-01
2003-03
14,257
TCP/RAB/2253
Regional Training on Meat Inspection and Meat
Technology
1993-07
1994-07
184,000
TCP/RAB/2902
Management of the Peach Fruit Fly (Bactrocera zonata)
in the Middle East and North Africa
2002-12
2004-11
376,000
GCP /REM/055/FRA
Assistance a la Mise en Place du Sipam (Systeme d›Info
pour la Promotion de l›Aquaculture en Mediterranee)
1993-07
1997-07
524,049
TCP/RAB/2903
Support to CAEU for the Formulation of a Regional
Programme for Food Security
2003-03
2004-12
287,000
TCP/RAB/2355
Assessment and Strengthening of Plant Quarantine
Capabilities in the Near East
1993-11
1995-01
300,000
GTFS/REM/070/ITA
Regional Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Programme in the Middle Eastern Countries
2004-04
2011-12
7,609,370
UNTS/RAB/001/GEF
Conservation des Plantes du Maghreb (RAB/94/G41/
A/1g/12)
1995-05
1996-05
290,725
TCP/RAB/3001
Assistance for the Processing of Regional Trade
Statistics of Agricultural Trade Commodities
2004-01
2005-11
152,144
TCP/RAB/4451
Management of the Whiteflies Viruses Complex in
Vegetable and Cotton Production
1994-10
1996-02
196,000
TCP/RAB/3002
2004-03
2005-12
310,342
TCP/RAB/4452
Emergency Assistance for Rinderpest Control
1994-08
1996-08
208,000
Strengthening capacities for agricultural marketing
adjustment to the changing national and international
trade environments
FPTT/REM/6RJ/FPA
Cst Adviser in Amman (TSS/96/Prj)
1995-01
1999-12
267,703
TCP/RAB/3003
Improving the training capacity of the Arab Insitute for
Forestry and Range
2004-09
2005-12
208,789
GCP /REM/056/FRA
Coop. Internationale dans le Domaine de l`Information
sur les Incendies de Foret et Leur Prevention en
Mediterranee
1995-05
2010-12
313,624
TCP/RAB/3004
Strenghtening phytosanitary services in the Gulf
Cooperation Council States
2004-11
2007-01
324,133
GCP /REM/058/ITA
Develop. of Databases for Fisheries and Aquaculture in
Italy
1995-12
1998-06
125,000
64
65
ACHIEVEMENTS
Symbol
Total
Budget,
USD
Title
EOD
NTE
TCP/RAB/3005
Emergency assistance for early detection and prevention
of avian influenza in the Middle East regionEmergency
preparedness for highly pathogenic avian influenza in
the Middle East Region
2005-11
2007-10
400,000
TCP/RAB/3006
Emergency assistance for early detection and prevention
of avian influenza in the region of North Africa
2005-11
2007-10
400,000
OSRO/RAB/601/SPA
Refuerzo de los sistemas de vigilancia y control de la
Influenza Aviar altamente patógena (IAAP) en el Magreb
y Egipto
2006-09
2007-02
508,000
GCP /RAB/002/FRA
Renforcement de la surveillance et des systèmes
d’alerte pour la Bluetongue, la Fièvre du Nil Occidental
et la Rage au Maroc, en Algérie et en Tunisie
2007-02
2011-02
250,002
GCP /RAB/003/SPA
Identification et formulation du Projet Régional sur
«Développement durable de la pêche artisanale
méditerranéenne au Maroc et en Tunisie»
2007-02
2007-05
45,200
GCP /RAB/004/SWI
Regional Initiative for Obsolete Pesticide Management Syria, Jordan and Lebanon
2007-05
2011-05
938,539
GCP /RAB/005/SPA
Développement durable de la pêche artisanale
méditerranéenne au Maroc et en Tunisie
2007-12
2011-07
542,119
OSRO/RAB/701/SWE
Support for the control and prevention of Highly
Pathogenic Influenza (HPAI) in Middle East and North
Africa. Extension of Cooperation Agreement: Second
Ammendement to Sida A0000174 and Sida A0000180
2007-11
2010-06
2,452,234
TCP/RAB/3201
TCP Facility
2008-02
2009-12
78,667
TCP/RAB/3102
Gestion intégrée des plantes envahissantes, en
particulier la morelle jaune au Maroc et en Tunisie
2008-05
2009-12
259,000
TCP/RAB/3202
Strengthening capacities towards the establishment of a
regional platform for the detection of genetically modified
organisms
2008-12
2011-04
413,000
GCP /RAB/006/IFA
Understanding the impact of rising food prices on
farming communities in the NENA - (Grant N. 1066)
2009-04
2010-12
175,000
GCP /RAB/010/SPA
Strengthening systems of prevention and control of
transboundary animal diseases in the Maghreb and
Egypt: towards a Mediterranean Animal Health Network
(REMESA)
2010-07
2012-06
1,035,502
GCP /RAB/007/MRK
Prevention and disposal of POPs and obsolete
pesticides in Syria
2010-04
2012-04
266,014
UNFA/REM/073/WHO
Demonstration of Sustainable Alternatives to DDT and
Strengthening of National Vector Control Capabilities
in Middle East and North Africa - (Component #3:
Collection, repackaging and disposal of obsolete public
health and agricultural POPs)
2010-10
2012-10
400,000
Total: 59 Projects
Year
1990
Year
2012
66
36,674,321
FAO REGIONAL OFFICE
FOR THE NEAR EAST
FAO Regional Office for the Near East
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
11 El Eslah El Zerai Street, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
P.O. Box 2223 Cairo, Egypt
Tel: +202 33316000 Fax: +202 37495981/ +202 33373419/ +202 37497193
E-mail: [email protected]
FAO/HQ Website: http://www.fao.org FAO/Near East Website: http://neareast.fao.org
ACHIEVEMENTS
ISBN 978-92-5-106943-1
9
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From 1991-2010