Recent achievements
| Profile – Arabian Peninsula The Arabian Peninsula is one of the major arid regions of the world. It is characterized by low and variable rainfall, high evaporation rates (especially during summer), and limited renewable water resources. The native plant biodiversity of the Arabian Peninsula, which comprises over 3500 species, is being rapidly depleted. Over 90% of the total land area now suffers from some sort of overgrazing, and 44% is severely or very severely degraded. The primary cause is overgrazing by large and small ruminants. |
Rehabilitating rangelands
Rehabilitation and improved management of degraded rangelands in the region has been carried out by:
As a result of this work, the program, together with local institutions, has rehabilitated heavily degraded rangelands in Saudi Arabia and Yemen with indigenous shrubs and trees. In the UAE, forages and shrubs have been screened for salinity tolerance to maintain production where water quality is poor.
Developing native forages
Exotic fodder species, such as Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) are increasingly used to overcome the shortage of fodder. But such species consume huge amounts of water.
Indigenous forage species, adapted to local conditions, grow well with very small amounts of water. The program, working with national programs, has taken steps to address rangeland degradation and needs for irrigated forages with less water using these species:
By December 2010 more than 90 smallholders in Oman and the UAE will have grown lebid (Cenchrus ciliaris). This native of the Arabian Peninsula uses water efficiently and provides high-quality feed.
Improving on-farm water management
Water use efficiency depends greatly on irrigation management. Irrigation that exceeds crop water requirements wastes water and energy and increases leaching of agricultural chemicals, yet excessive irrigation is common. Improved irrigation scheduling and system monitoring can dramatically improve performance. For example, the introduction of estimates of crop water requirements based on meteorological measurements is an approach being investigated.
Designing appropriate greenhouses
High light-intensities and temperatures, combined with high relative humidity, characterize the local climate. Greenhouses used in the region were developed for cool-climate countries with low light intensities. The program is working to develop a simple greenhouse suitable for the region's climate with more efficient ventilation and cooling systems.
Simplifying Hydroponics Production Systems
The quality and quantity of water required to produce high value crops is particularly impossible to obtain in a dry region such as the Arabian Peninsula. In addition, accumulation of salt and soil-borne pathogens has a negative effect on vegetable production. In protected agriculture, technologies such as hydroponics make efficient use of water. However, these systems can be very complicated. Working with smallholders in Oman, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE, the program introduced simplified soil-less techniques for the production of high value crops such as cucumber, tomato, strawberry, lettuce, etc. using this approach, farmers saved large amounts of water and boosted their profits.
Integrating production and protection management (IPPM)
Under protected agriculture, farmers need to carefully manage production and pest control to produce residue-free high quality fruit and vegetables, and avoid contaminating the environment.
Extensive application of agro-chemicals in greenhouses is a common practice in the region; this resulted in complex problems of pest resistance and environmental hazards. The Arabian Peninsula Regional Program developed and introduced a number of controlled measures as part of an Integrated Production and Protection Management (IPPM) program which is now implemented in all the region’s research stations and in pilot private farms. In Yemen, introducing IPPM reduced the number of chemical sprays from 19 to two which also significantly improved growers’ livelihood.
Building capacities
In addition to ICARDA training activities the program is running a capacity building program, based on NARS requirements and tailor-made for the region. Since 1998 until Dec 2010, the program has implemented 20 specialized training courses (1-2 weeks) for 275 and 10 individual on the job training program (2-3 months) for about 30 researcher, extension agents and growers from seven Arab Peninsula countries. Furthermore, the program is organizing farmers’ field school and filed days for extension agents and growers on the private pilot growers’ farms. During 2010 more than 120 growers and extension agents attended these field days.
The program has published 12 technical books, advisory notes and training leaflets as well as nine posters which were printed and distributed among the project stockholders including growers, extension agents and researchers.
To enhance the seed production of indigenous forage species, the program in collaboration with NARS in Emirates, Oman and Saudi Arabia established Seed Technology Units. At the moment necessary actions are in progress to upgrade these units with seed health labs as well as establishment of similar units in Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait.
A major program achievement is the strong network among scientists and researchers in the region which is established as a result of regular technical conferences and meetings organized by the program. The network is helping researchers to communicate and coordinate research and development activities among themselves.
Future directions
The Program will strengthen technology transfer and research activities on environmental issues, particularly rangeland degradation and groundwater. By conserving indigenous plant species, their genes will be available for future molecular research on forage crops capable of withstanding high temperatures, drought and salinity. In protected agriculture, more emphasis will be put on reducing hazardous chemicals, introducing new vegetable crops and cultivars, improving productivity per unit of water and land as well as enhancing the cooling systems.
For further details, click here
For more information, contact:
Dr Ahmed Moustafa, Regional Coordinator
Arabian Peninsula Regional Program (APRP)
ICARDA, PO Box 13979, Dubai, UAE
| Arabian Peninsula Regional Program |