ABOUT APRP 
Phase II
Phase II Achievements

The program is structured according to the three main production systems: open field irrigated production systems, range/forage/livestock based systems, and protected agriculture systems, with the underlying objective of conserving the limited water resources and the fragile rangelands of the Arabian Peninsula. Also to decrease the use of toxic chemical used in the protected agriculture industry. These three major components, supported by components in agro-ecological characterization and in institutional strengthening and capacity building, are closely inter-related. Improving the efficiency of water use in agriculture is a major objective throughout all three systems. Work on abiotic stresses (heat, drought and salinity) will continue, with a view to identifying plant species and genotypes that are best adapted to the harsh environments and production systems of the region.
Given the size, regional nature and global importance of the Program, the following donor participated in supporting Phase II of APRP:
- Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD)
- International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
- The OPEC Fund for International Development

Greater integration of research within countries will be achieved through the production system approach, while greater integration across countries will be achieved through enhanced networking within each component of the project, with scientists from national teams exchanging information and consolidating their research across the region. Research will shift from researcher-managed on-station trials to applied and adaptive research and technology testing in participation with the intended end-users. The project will identify selected pilot sites within each country, where packages of the improved technologies and management practices developed by the project will be verified at the system level. These sites will serve to demonstrate the improved systems to the farming community, as well as national decision-makers, with a view to encouraging rapid adoption and impact.


Goal and Objectives

The overall goal Phase II is:
The development of more productive and sustainable rangeland and irrigated
production systems, including protected agriculture, through the more efficient
use of the natural resources of the Arabian Peninsula, in particular water, energy
and indigenous plant species.


Components and Specific Objectives

The proposed Program has five components with the following specific objectives.


Agroecological Characterization

Objective:
Improved targeting of research and technology transfer, land use planning, and environmental management based on the characterization of the specific potentials and constraints of the diverse agroecologies and associated land use systems of the Arabian Peninsula.

Outputs:
1. Regional assessment of abiotic stresses and crop water requirements through agroclimatic mapping.
2. Agroecological zoning for biodiversity conservation, rangeland management and rehabilitation, and targeting of technology transfer.


Management and Utilization of Different Sources of Irrigation Water

Objective:
Improved water use efficiency and optimal utilization of available water resources in open field irrigated production systems.

Outputs:
1. Recommendations for appropriate irrigation, soil and crop management that promote efficient use of water, economic net benefits to water users, and yield security and stability.
2. Evaluation of the water use efficiency of different crops and varieties.
3. Evaluation of methods to use alternative water sources such as brackish water and treated wastewater.
4. Evaluation of traditional systems based on renewable water resources.
5. Demonstration of recommended packages of practices for improving the efficiency of water use in field level irrigation under different cropping systems and sources of water.


Rangeland / Forage / Livestock Systems

Objective:
Development of integrated range/forage/livestock production systems and management practices for rangeland rehabilitation.

Outputs:
1. Germplasm of indigenous and exotic forage and rangeland species with identified attributes and potential for utilization (a) in rangeland restoration or rehabilitation, and (b) as alternative forage crops.
2. Technical options for forage crop production in different agroecological zones and under different production systems.
3. Technical options for the restoration and rehabilitation of degraded rangelands in different agroecologies.
4. Technical options for management of livestock under rangeland systems in different agroecological zones.
5. Rangeland management practices transferred and demonstrated in target areas and pilot sites.


Protected Agriculture

Objective:
Development of protected agriculture industry for the region that meets the national demand for more efficient and sustainable production systems and techniques.

Outputs:
1. Simple greenhouse structures and covering materials suitable for the region's climate, with more efficient ventilation and cooling system.
2. Improved irrigation systems for increased water use efficiency, and adapted soil-less cultivation systems and techniques.
3. Improved integrated production and protection (IPP) management practices that ensure strong healthy plants with adequate protection from pests and diseases, using safe control practices with minimal use of chemicals.
4. A regional networking mechanism that maximizes the collaboration among researchers, scientists and extension staff in various countries and exchange of knowledge, information and expertise regionally and internationally.
5. Enhanced capabilities of national scientists, researcher and extension personnel.


Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening

Objective:
Strengthened national institutional and human resource capacity and enhanced technology transfer.

Outputs:
1. Enhanced capabilities of national scientists and exchange of information and experiences on problems of common interest through regional networking.
2. Sustainable research management, technology transfer and delivery systems.
3. Information dissemination to the end-user.


Program Management and Coordination

ICARDA continues to be responsible for managing and coordinating the Program, including responsibility for financial management and donor reporting. Activities in the Arabian Peninsula are managed and coordinated by the ICARDA Regional Coordinator in the Dubai office. The Regional Coordinator is responsible for all logistical and administrative organization, and liaison with national programs and the ICARDA Director of International Cooperation.

A Regional Steering Committee comprises the National Coordinators, ICARDA's Regional Coordinator, ICARDA's Assistant Director General of International Cooperation, and the three donor representatives from AFESD, IFAD and OPEC. The Regional Steering Committee Meeting (RSCM) is held once a year to review, discuss, amend and approve annual workplans and budgets. In addition a Regional Technical Coordination Meeting (RTCM) is held annually in one of the seven Arabian Peninsula countries and ICARDA on rotational basis. During the meeting, the scientists from the participating national institutions, ICARDA and other collaborating institutions, review the results of the past year and finalize plans for the coming growing season, for submission to the RSCM.
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Phase I
     Phase I Achievements
     Agroecological Characterization
     On Farm Water Use and Irrigation Management
     Rangelands, Shrubs, Irrigated Forages and Livestock
     Abiotic Stresses
     Protected Agriculture
     Human Resource Development: Training and Workshops
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