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The Regional Technical Coordination Meeting (RTCM) of APRP was held at Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, from 13 to 16 February 2005. 45 participants, representing Agricultural Research Institutes from Bahrain, Emirates, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Yemen attended the meeting.
The opening ceremony was organized under the patronage of H.E. Khalfan Ben Saleh Al-Naibi, Under Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) in the main building of the Ministry. The inauguration address was delivered by Eng. Abdul Aziz Al Harthi, Director of Agricultural Production Research Center, MAF, Oman. Dr Ahmed Moustafa, Regional Coordinator, ICARDA-APRP; Dr Ismail Moharam, Chairman, Agricultural Research Authority, Yemen; Dr Mohamed Al Julaifi, DG of National Research Center, KSA; and Dr Abdullah Aboudi,  Director Research and Plant Production Dept., MAF, UAE were the other speakers.
During the 3-day meeting scientists from the seven AP countries discussed their research activities and results under the three research themes of APRP (Water Management, Rangeland and Forage Crops, Protected Agriculture). A total of 35 research reports and scientific papers were presented in different sessions followed in each case by discussions. The main subjects were

o       Rangeland: seed multiplication; productivity of forage grasses; irrigated forages; germplasm collection, spineless cactus for forage and for combating desertification.

o       Water Management and Irrigation: water-use efficiency; treated waste water; utilization of dam and water reservoirs.

o       Protected Agriculture: Integrated Production and Protection Management (IPPM); organic fertilizer; soil solarization; green house (GH) production management; GH cooling.

Four invited experts from UAE Universities, FAO, and ARE participated and provided their inputs and recommendations during the discussions. The invited experts were:

o        Dr Ahmed A. Almasoum, Associate Professor of Horticulture, UAE University (UAEU)

o        Dr Wilfred Baudoin, Senior Officer, Food and Agriculture Organization, (FAO)

o        Dr Fawzy A. Taher, Regional Crop Production Officer, FAO Regional Office for the Near East, Cairo

o        Dr Abdul Wahed Mukred, Vice Chairman, Agricultural Research Authority, Yemen

Participants of APRP Regional Technical Coordination Meeting, Muscat, Oman, 13-16 February 2005

A local farmer, Eng. Abdullah Al Farisi, also participated in the meeting and gave a power point presentation, describing his experience growing cucumber under soilless culture. Soilless cultures are techniques introduced by ICARDA-APRP to the region, and are becoming attractive to many growers. Mr Al Farisi is one of the farmers in Oman who received technical help from the research center in Rumais, and from ICARDA-APRP. In his presentation Mr Al Farisi praised the help he received and expressed his full satisfaction with soilless culture for growing cucumber. The presentation was well received by the participants, and was followed by a long session of question and answers. Mr Al Farisi hosted the participants in his farm during a field trip which was organized at the end of the technical meeting.

SWOT analyses (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) were conducted by members of the technical meeting for different APRP components in the final day of the meeting. The technical meeting was followed on 17 February by the steering committee meeting, which was attended by senior representatives of the seven AP countries. The APRP activities and achievements during the last phase of the project on Rangeland and Water, Protected Agriculture and Water, and Information Technology and Networking were presented to the steering committee meeting by Ahmed T Moustafa, Ahmed Osman and Arash Nejatian. Presented to the meeting also were the recommendations from RTCM on SWOT analysis and work plan for 2004-2005 season.

Special visits to the Rumais Agricultural Research Center and Mr Abdullah Farisi’s farm were arranged for the RTCM participants on 16 February 2005. During the visit to the Rumais, participants visited different laboratories and sections and received suitable information on research activities by the responsible researchers.

RTCM Participants visiting the Laboratory and research equipment at Rumais ARC

Visiting Eng. Abdullah Farisi GH and soilless systems

Strength, Weakness, Opportunities, Threats (SWOT) Analysis

 Range/Forage

 Strength

1. Progress made in germplasm collection by AP countries
2. Potential forages identified in some AP countries
3. Progress in seed technology of native range/forage species in AP

 Weakness

1. Seed Multiplication (STU/in vitro)
2. Range/Forage/livestock integration
3. Rehabilitation of the degraded rangeland
4. Technology transfer to farming community
5. Continuations of the collection mission, characterization, classification and evaluation
6. Cactus initiative for land degradation and livestock feeding
7. Socio-economic studies
8. Exchange of germplasm
9. Range/Forage/Water Management

Opportunities

1. Worldwide concern over the degradation of natural resources

Threat

1. Funds
2. Human Resources
3. Infrastructure

Protected Agriculture

 Strength

1. Introduced new tech. Such as Hydroponics & IPPM
2. Transfer of Technology to farmers
3. Dissemination of IPPM
4. Crop Diversification

Weakness

1. More study on water requirement
2. More on Transfer of  Technology
3. More in improving Green House (GH) Design & Materials
4. More on diversification on Crop
5. Nutrient Solution
6. More Economic study
7. More eco-friendly and biological pesticide
8. Post harvest handling and product quality

 Opportunities

1. WB New Strategy
2. Rural Development
3. Cash Crops to elevate farmers income
4. Good Agricultural Practice + IPPM
5. To be consider for Urbanization
6. Established specialized working group

 Threat

1. Funds
2. Human resources
3. Infra Structure

Information Technology & Networking

Strength

1. Full information of the project and publication on internet
2. Buildup a network between researcher and NARS in AP countries
3. Expert system on Cucumber and irrigation in GH
4. Good number of publication (Books, report, leaflets, handouts, posters and technical notes)
5. Expert consultation meetings

Weaknesses

1. Expert system are not covering other high value cash crops
2. Not enough publication on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)
3. Direct contact between experts of different discipline related to APRP need more attention
4. Weather station network is not completed and connected to internet
5. new methods for dissemination of technology to end users needs more attention

Opportunities

1. AP countries polices and attention to promote Information Technology
2. Memorandum of understanding between ICARDA & CLAC and ICARDA & CLAES
3. Good and practical knowledge and information developed by ICARDA-APRP’s different component to be transferred to end users
4. Interests of all AP countries to support IT and networking

Threat

5. Funds
6. Human resources
7. Infra Structure

Invited Expert Reports

Dr Wilfred Baudoin, Senior Officer Horticultural Crops Group, FAO
Strengthening of cooperation with FAO
Draft for Discussions

 Establishment of regional (working) group (network) on Greenhouse Crops production in the Arabian Peninsula.  (The terminology is open for discussion)

 Goal: To institutionalize the regional cooperation on Research and Development in Protected Agriculture (Greenhouse Crop Production) and promote the ownership of the programme for the NARS and stakeholders (producers’ unions)

 This could be proposed as an objective for the next phase.

The process has to be initiated progressively and established on the basis of a participatory consultation with the target member countries. A consultative meeting (discussion forum) could be convened this year taking the advantage of the current momentum of the project.

The justification is that the countries the member countries need to take a commitment and define a mechanism of regional cooperation with a related funding mechanism (own funding plus matching funds provided by donors). This initiative would allow ICARDA and FAO to continue act as facilitators including to liaise with the donor community for more support to selected project activities monitored by the regional working group.

 It is suggested to explore the option of establishing an AP-Greenhouse Development Fund. The fund would be created by a single payment by the member countries. This would be the illustration of the countries commitment to the R&D related to Greenhouse Crop Sector ( Protected Agriculture) and would be a premise for seeking further donor support either as a contribution to the fund (matching payments) or in terms of individual projects.

The participation of the private sector as stake holder and target beneficiary group (growers’ union) has to be considered.

The formal establishment of a regional working group (network) would require the formulation of statutes.

(i) Regional training workshop on the use of HORTIVAR and the IPP card system (2 tools for transfer of technology and dissemination of information) and promote (facilitate) the use of these tools by establishing a direct link to HORTIVAR in the APRP website

(ii) Regional workshop crop diversification options in the APR (e.g. floriculture, ornamental and medicinal plants) 

(iii) National workshop to debate on a “Strategy and technologies for “Small scale horticulture in urban and peri-urban areas in Yemen” (To follow-up on the request of the Mayor of Sana’a). It would enable to review the problems encountered with the design and management of greenhouses structures on the terraces.

 (iv) Regional training workshop for advanced (specialized) technical and hands-on capacity building on soilless culture management

NB. No commitment is made for direct financial support that will depend on the available budget resources already overcommitted for 2005. However, support can be considered in terms of headquarters and regional office staff time as well as technical backstopping missions and eventually the sponsoring of selected resources persons, specialized scientists, as consultant. It would exemplify the liaison (cooperation) between FAO and ICARDA as a CG centre. 

Dr Ahmed Al Masoum,
Associate Professor of Horticulture, UAE University

 Summary of Recommendations for APRP Annual Regional Technical Meeting Muscat, Sultanate of Oman , from Feb.13-16, 2005

The Arabian Peninsula is faced with the challenges of developing more sustainable land and water use, preserving its environment and heritage, and sustaining its population. Addressing these challenges will require innovative research in a number of areas, including:

1.      Improvement of on-farm water management and water use efficiency

2.      Development and use of alternative water sources.

3.      Restoring the productivity and arresting the degradation of rangelands.

4.      Developing protected agriculture.

5.      Re-evaluating traditional practices and indigenous knowledge.

The objectives of this year’s meeting were:

1.      To bring together AP researchers and scientists with international and regional experts for exchange of information and ideas on sustainable development for the Arabian Peninsula.

2.      To discuss and review ongoing research activities and experiences on range, irrigated fodders, water use efficiency, and protected agriculture. 

3.      To review and evaluate the outcomes of APRP activities which were carried out in the past and come up with ideas for the future.

4.       Recommend activities for next season and develop detailed work plan for the assigned activities for each country.

Achievement that APRP should be proud of:

1.      Bringing together researchers, scientists and team leaders from the member countries either in annual meetings or through seminars, workshop and training courses.

2.      There has been a tremendous progress in green house activities, such as hydroponics and NFT, which are considered to be, partially, new to the area.

3.      Technology transfer to the farmers such as in Sultanate of Oman and Yemen

4.      Expansion of the concept in G/H from classic IPM to the new terminology IPPM and hopefully to organic agriculture.

5.      Progress in presenting the work end results  (presentation) by the researchers (report that contain all scientific elements) 

6.      Making a tremendous amount  of information available such as  publication……etc

Despite all of these achievements, it is recommended that:

1.      Continuous  performance of SWOT Analysis , transparently and frankly, at each member country to reveal all analysis components

2.      More interaction are needed among the researchers

3.      Additional training courses in order to increase their scientific backgrounds and knowledge (don’t give me the fish but teach me how to fish.

4.      Introduction of Organic Farming for the new research priorities in ICARDA.

5.      Introduction of new technologies is needed for the next phase of the program including organic farming, forage plant propagation in vitro to alleviate low germination % and viability.

6.      Introduction of germplasm, local or indigenous forage crops with attributes and potential for utilization (a) in rangeland restoration or rehabilitation, and (b) as alternative forage crops including Cacti (Opuntia spp.)

7.      Publication of good quality research papers in refereed journals for better information dissemination.

8.      Establishment of refereed journal with international editorial board to publish high quality papers generated in ICARDA HQ or by other regional programs.

I would like to express my thanks and gratitude to Dr. Ahmed Moustafa for his dedication, motivation and hard working. This lead to a great success of this program compared to other programs that I am aware of. Thanks are also extended to his associates in Dubai office for their enthusiasm and cooperation.

Dr Abdul Wahed Mukred, Vice Chatman,
Agricultural Research Authority (ARA), Yemen

The interaction in the different meetings and working groups was very stimulating and rewarding. Being the last workshop, the annual meeting was particularly important. As you correctly mentioned, APRP is in a crossroad and we need to strictly define the next steps. It was quite clear, despite the limited participation from the Kuwaiti and the UAE team as well as the Qatari team, that national programs has gone quite a distance in improving the content and the presentation of their outputs. This was evident in the significant number of presentations covering nearly all the APRP components.

Nevertheless, there are still several issues that need to be taken care of. I am positive that you must have thought of them. These issues can be summarized as follows:

1.       The structures of plastic houses and the cover material needs due attention. This is mainly because; the durability of plastic houses under farmer’s conditions could become a limiting factor in the future expansion of this industry. We need to identify the shortcomings. We need also to search for alternatives. Eng Isam Moustafa from Bahrain is a good person to be part of a "think tank" in APRP on this issue.

2.      The issue of transfer of technology needs more attention. This is important to convince donor agencies on the impact of interventions. On station research is good but should not become a goal by itself.  We need to create a rapid impact under real life conditions.

3.      On station research is important when we talk about testing new technologies. Jumping to farmer's fields to test new technologies can be harmful and the credibility of research might be at stake if the tested technology failed.

4.      Biotechnology research is still not reflected in the national programs. APRP will be a good forum for exchange of ideas on how to integrate Biotechnology in our national programs. The lessons from "IRAN CONFERENCE ON RESOURCE MANAGEMENT" should be embarked on. The interesting work of Dr Ali Kharbotly in Oman can become a solid ground for initial training of staff. Can APRP prepare a brochure on the applications of biotechnology in agriculture and the basic requirements to launch biotechnology research. This brochure might be distributed to member countries to create awareness among researchers and either concerned parties on the concept.

5.      The range component in APRP is of vital importance. In this component the impact can serve a wide range of households in rural areas. Efforts are still rotating around on station research or at the seed multiplication stage. We need to push further the efforts of dissemination of seeds to local communities and to rehabilitate natural rangelands with the multiplied seeds in pilot areas as part of dissemination of seeds. The Omani achievements were significant few years ago. However, currently, there appeared to be a slow progress in this domain. I hope I am wrong on this. Saudi Arabia national program can be relied on in the launching of any range programs in AP countries. The experiences of Saudi Arabia and the Sultanate of Oman can be combined together in drawing lessons. 

6.      The introduction of cactus to APRP program is interesting and could become a significant intervention. Attention, at this stage, should be on the introduction of genotypes that are likely to be adopted to AP conditions ( Arid tropics in coastal areas and arid subtropics in the highlands areas). Introduced material should be tested in multi locations in both coastal and high elevated areas.

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