Under the patronage of Dr Said BARKAT, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development,
IPGRI, INRAA and ICARDA
Organise the first International Conference on
“Agro-biodiversity for Development in North Africa:
Role of Plant Genetic Resources in People’s Livelihood”
Algiers 27- 30 September 2004.
I. Introduction
Thanks to the Green Revolution a substantial impact on use enhancement of crop genetic resources was achieved in 70s and 80s through increased production of major staples thanks to the release of high yielding varieties(particularly cereals s.a. wheat, barley, rice and other commodities s.a. potato, cassava etc.). These achievements were accompanied however by unparalleled losses of the very genetic diversity that had fuelled the Green Revolution.
Awareness of this fact, led the International Community to develop a network of gene banks and other conservation means to preserve Agrobiodiversity national heritages. Currently an estimated 6 millions of accessions of plant genetic resources (PGR) are maintained in more then 300 ex situ collections around the world. Over the years, it has become clear however, that conservation per se is not very beneficial, unless this is used effectively to address urgent needs, such as nutritional security (quantity and quality of food), elimination of poverty, environment health and ultimately improvement of peoples’ livelihood.
In order to achieve the full deployment of PGR in sustainable development, conservation has been evolving over the years trying to bridge the existing gap between scientists and farmers as a way to better address needs and opportunities of local communities through a participatory, bottom up approach. One of the strategic elements in this direction is in situ/on farm conservation, a relatively new discipline currently spearheaded by IPGRI through a major Global Project involving more than 8 countries around the world. This conservation method, which complements ex situ conservation efforts, allows the maintenance of evolution and adaptation processes in crops within their own environment, the conservation of diversity and indigenous knowledge at all levels (ecosystem, species, and infra-specific), and the strengthening of PGR-based income generating mechanisms for resource-poor farmers.
New developments over the last 5 to 10 years in the area of characterization and evaluation, molecular markers, gene mining and GIS are opening up opportunities for better comprehend diversity and ways to exploit it more efficiently and effectively. These tools need to be disseminated and applied to the benefit of local Communities and other user groups.
Emerging trends directly related to the broadening of Agrobiodiversity and its sustainable conservation and use include the increasing attention of consumers towards environmental friendly agriculture (biological, biodynamic agriculture) and under utilized and neglected species including medicinal plants, source of herbal remedies for more than 80% of the world's population. In addition to improve nutritional security and health, these group of species contribute as well to improve local economies, maintain cultural traditions and are particularly beneficial to the rural poor and fragile social groups for whom they represent a unique asset. Experiences in these fields need to be scaled up, and streamlined to reach local communities and other user Groups.
II – Organisation committee:
Dr Kamel FELIACHI / INRAA (President of committee)
Dr George AYAD / IPGRI – CWANA – Aleppo- Syria
Dr Stefano PADULOSI / IPGRI – CWANA- Aleppo- Syria
Dr Aicha BAMMOUN / IPGRI – CWANA- - Aleppo- Syria
Dr Mohamed EL MOURID / ICARDA – Tunis - Tunisia
Dr Mustapha MALKI / INRAA
Miss Rachida ISSOLAH / INRAA
Dr Abdallah NEDJAHI / INRF
Dr Abdelkader HARFOUCHE / INRF
Mr Mohamed ABBAS / DGF
Miss Nadia CHENOUF / MATE
Dr Aissa ABDELGUERFI / MATE
Dr Fatiha AID / USTHB
Mr Rachid AMIROUCHE / USTHB
Mr Halim CHALABI / CRSTRA
Pr Mohamed BELLATRECHE / INA
Dr Ahmed – Cherif BENGUEDDA / Pasteur Institute
Mr Laid AZZI / ANN
Dr Mohamed KERBOUA / MADR
Miss Ouahiba GHALEM / MADR
Miss DJAHICH / MADR
Mr Ahmed SADOUDI / MADR
Miss Amel BENCHEHIDA / MADR
Mr Chikh LESSEHAL / NGO
III. Objectives of the Conference
The major objectives of the Conference are:
· To review the state of conservation and use of plant genetic resources in North Africa.
· The analyses of trends and opportunities in sustainable development and identification of best approaches, methods and techniques to allow the realization of the full and sustainable use of Agrobiodiversity to enhance food and nutritional security, income generation and environmental conservation.
· The strengthening of mainstreaming research and actions to further integrate agricultural research into national development plans and programmes.
Using Agrobiodiversity for development involves building national capacities, supporting crop diversity assessment and develops sustainable management practices.
The conference will therefore also focus on how to strengthen capacities of national programs at various levels and bring about mechanisms to raise Governments' attention through public awareness initiatives.
The Meeting represents also an effort to promote greater cooperation in the area of Agrobiodiversity use among countries and Stakeholders Groups in North Africa and explore ways to bring about synergies between existent efforts. The presentations will be structured around priority themes and species and review progress so far in the implementation of major development commitments such as Agenda 21/CBD/WSSD and the FAO's Global Plan of Action for PGRFA.
The Conference will be a joint effort between the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI) and the Algerian National Agronomic Research Institute (INRAA) and International Center for Agriculture Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA ).
IV. Contents
Presentations will be delivered by a number of invited speakers from North Africa as well as from other countries across CWANA. IPGRI experts and leading scientists from around the world will be also invited to address strategic topics. The tentative list of topics that will be covered in these presentations include:
Tentative Programme
Venue: El Aurassi Hotel, Algiers
Sunday, 26 September 2004
Arrival of Participants
Monday, 27 September 2004
08:00-09:00
/Registration
/09:00-10:30
/Opening
/10:30-11:00
/Coffee Break
/Session1: Inventorying and evaluating Agro biodiversity
This session will provide an overview of extent of Agro biodiversity and its role in nutrition, income, and environment health
1.1 Introductory papers
11:00-11:30
/ Agrobiodiversity in North Africa:a framework for its conservation and sustainable use / (A. Bammoun/ G.Ayad)
11:30-11:45
/ Plant Genetic Resources: Mauritania11:45-12:00
/ Plant Genetic Resources: Egypt / I. Abdelgalil (DRC)12:00-12:15
/ Plant Genetic Resources: Morocco / H.Narjisse (INRAM)12:15-12:30
/ Plant Genetic Resources: Tunisia / M.Benmechlia (INRAT)12:30-12:45
/ Plant Genetic Resources: Libya / T.Azzabi (ARC)12:45-13:00
/ Plant Genetic Resources: Algeria / k.Feliachi (INRAA)13:00-13:30
/ Discussion13:30-14:30
/ Lunch14:30-14:45
/ Inventorying and assessing diversity in IFAD Projects / A.Meschinelli (IFAD)14:45-15:00
/ Current status of Agro-biodiversity in North Africa / (FAO)15:00-15:15
/ AOAD efforts on useful plant Agrobiodiversity / Kerboua (AOAD)15:15-15:30
/ Threatened and useful species in North African Flora / K. Batanouny (Egypt)1.2. Case studies
15:30-15:45
/ Olive genetic resources / Touzani (IOC/Spain)15:45-16:00
/ Genetic Resources of Date Palm / M.Belguedj (INRAA/Algeria)16:00-16:15
/ The genetic diversity of food legumes in North Africa and their role in people’s livelihood / M.E.H. Maatougui (ITGC/Algeria)16:15-16:30
/ Forest Genetic Resources in North Africa / A. Harfouche, A. Nedjahi, M. Elatifi, H. Daly-Hassen, A. Benmansour (Algeria,Tunisia,Morocco.)
16:30-16:45
/ Forage genetic resources in North Africa / A.Abdelguerfi/ A.Nefatti / C.Faiz (Algeria,Tunisia,Morocco.)
16:45-17:15
/ Discussion17:15-17:30
/ Coffee break17:30-18:30
/ Posters session20:30-22:00
/ DinnerTuesday, 28 September 2004
Session 2: Conservation and management of Plant Genetic Resources The session will provide the-state-of-the-art on methods and techniques in the conservation of plant genetic resources along with case studies on relevant projects in North Africa /
2.1. Complementary conservation and use
08:30-08:45
/ An overview of methods and approaches on complementary conservation of plant genetic resources / E. Dulloo (IPGRI)08:45-09:00
/ Development of bases for supporting the maintenance and management of crop diversity in agro-ecosystems in Morocco. / M.Sadiki (IAV/Morocco)09:00-09:15
/ in vitro culture techniques for the conservation of Plant Genetic Resources: progress and prospects / F. Engelmann (IPGRI)
2.2. Case studies
09:15-09:30
/ Experiences from IFAD Projects in Morocco / M.El Khiar(Morocco)09:30-09:45
/ In situ conservation of Agro biodiversity in arid zones: the case of the Near East Agrobiodiversity Project / A. Amri (ICARDA)09:45-10:00
/ IFAD-supported Biodiversity Project in Tunisia / A.B.Aicha (Tunisia)10:00-10:15
/ Genetic resources of Medicago truncatula / Huguet(CNRS/France)10:15-10:30
/ Coffee break2.3. Management of germplasm collections
10:30-10:45
/ ICARDA efforts on ex situ conservation of Agrobiodiversity in the semi arid zones / J. Valkoun (ICARDA)10:45-11:00
/ The Role of Information & Communication Technology (ICT)In Gene banks’ Management / K. Durah (IPGRI)11:00-11:15
/ Molecular characterization of plant genetic resources by molecular techniques: an overview / M.Pagnotta (Italy)11:15-11:45
/ Posters session11:45-12:00
/ DiscussionSession 3: Valorisation of Agro biodiversity This session will address latest approaches and trends in assessing, value-adding and marketing strategies for Agro biodiversity and its products.
3.1. Neglected and under-utilised species
12:00-12:15
/ Lessons and experiences so far / S. Padulosi (IPGRI)12:15-12:30
/ Medicinal and Aromatic plants in Algeria and Morocco / Mokkadem/Aouragh , (Algeria/Morocco)12:30-12:45
/ Medicinal and Aromatic plants in Tunisia / Neffati / El Mourid (IRA/ICARDA)12:45-13:00
/ Role of figs in the socio-economic development of marginal zones / Bourayou/ Mars/ Oukabli (Algeria,Tunisia, Morocco)13:00-13:15
/ Pistachio: a case study / E.H.Oldache, A.Morsli,B.Belarbi,Y.Chebouti (Algeria)
13:15-13:45
/ Discussion13:45-15:00
/ Lunch Break3.2. Strengthening Stakeholders, participatory approaches and socio-cultural aspects
15:00-15:15
/ Strengthening Capacity Building in North Africa / N. Sellamna (ICRA)15:15-15:30
/ Participatory approaches in the management of Agro biodiversity / P. Eyzaguirre (IPGRI)15:30-15:45
/ Participatory approaches in the Maghreb Date Palm Project / N. Nasr (IPGRI/UNDP/GEF)15:45-16:00
/ Marketing diversity: a case study in West Asia / A. Giuliani (IPGRI)16:00-16:15
/ The participatory process of effective implementation of in-situ conservation of agrobiodiversity on-farm / B. Sthapit (IPGRI)16:15-16:45
/ Discussion16:45-17:00
/ Coffee break17:00-17:15
/ Enhancing Human Capacities through distance learning / A. Sobky (RITSEC)17:15-17:30
/ Ecotourism and its role in conservation of Agrobiodiversity / B.Gaci (Algeria)17:30-17:45
/ Organic Agriculture: successes and failures / Y. Hamdi (Egypt)17:45-18:15
/ Discussion18:15-19:00 / Posters
20:30-22:00
/ Social DinnerWednesday, 29 September 2004
Session 4: Legal, institutional and policy issues The session will cover relevant policy and legal aspects related to Agrobiodiversity conservation and sustainable use
08:30-08:45
/ Treaties, Conventions and International Agreements related to Agrobiodiversity /G. Ayad (IPGRI)
08:45-09:00
/ Elements for an effective National Agrobiodiversity Policy Framework / A.Benchehida (MADR/Algeria)Session 5: Public Awareness
The session will present current experiences in using public awareness to strengthen policy makers’ commitment on Agrobiodiversity
09:00-09:15
/ Public Awareness to enhance better usefor Agrobiodiversity and Poverty Alleviation / R. Khalil (IPGRI)
09:15-09:30
/ Tools and methods used in raising publicawareness / A.M’hamed (NGO/Algeria)
09:30-10:30
/ Discussion10:30-10:45
/ Working Groups10:45-11:00
/ Coffee breakSession 6: Working Groups concurrent sessions
11:00-13:30
/ Group 1: Conservation and management of PGRGroup 2: Medicinal and aromatic plants
Group 3: Legal, institutional and policy aspects
Group 4: Public Awareness
13:30-14:30
/ Lunch14:30-18:00
/ Working Groups concurrent sessions (cntd.)
Thursday, 30 September 2004
08:30-10:30
/ Working Groups concurrent sessions (cntd.)10:30-11:00
/ Coffee break11:00-13:30
/Working Groups concurrent sessions (cntd.)
13:30-14:30
/Lunch
14:30-15:30 / Reporting on Plenary Session of Working Groups15:30-16:30 / Discussion
16:30-17:00 / Coffee break
17:00-18:00 / Recommendations
18.00-18.30 / Closing of Conference
The forum will bring together representatives from all Stakeholder Groups (research environment, NGO, private sector, policy makers, etc) who will shares views on viable options for the strengthening of current regional and national plan of actions for Agrobiodiversity.
V.Posters
Posters sessions are planned during the conference. They concerned the work realized on Plant genetic resources. In order to ensure the uniform presentation of posters, they should be prepared on blanc paper (840 x 595 mm), with 30 mm margins.
The tables and figures should not below 200 mm hight. The use of colors and titles should be visible from 3 m is highly requested. The posters should be presented in the form of: Title, Authors and Address, Introduction, Materiel and Methods, Results and Discussion, Conclusion.
VI. Organisation
The Conference is being jointly organized by the Ministry of Agriculture of Algeria (MA) through the National Institute of Agronomic Research (INRA) and IPGRI's Regional Office for Central, West Asia & North Africa and International Center for Research Agriculture in the Dry Land (ICARDA).
The Conference will be held in Algiers during the period of 9-12 February 2004.
English, French and Arabic will be the working languages of the Conference.
VII. Participants
Leading scientists and representatives of different Stakeholders groups from North Africa will join IPGRI and INRAA experts. Invitees from other regions (such as Central and West Asia), will be also invited to share experiences in various fields covered by the Conference.
International Organizations (including FAO, IPGRI and other CGIAR Centres such as ICARDA), National and Regional Research Institutions, Universities, Governmental and non-Government Organizations will be represented at the Conference. Some 200 participants will be expected to attend.
VIII. Accommodation/ Insurance
Accommodation and insurance will be provided by INRAA.
IX. Scientific committee:
- Dr FATIHA AID (President of Committee)
- Dr GEORGE AYAD
- Dr STEFANO PADULOSI
- Dr AICHA BAMMOUN
- Dr MOHAMED EL MOURID.
- Pr MOHAMED BELLATRECHE
- Dr AISSA ABDELGUERFI
- Miss MERIEM LOUANCHI
- Dr ABDELKADER HARFOUCHE
- Dr MUSTAPHA MALKI
- Dr MOHAMED LARBI CHERFAOUI
- Mrs OUAHIBA GHALEM
- Mr AHMED SADOUDI
-
- Mr RACHID AMIROUCHE
- Pr. AHMED CHERIF BENGUEDDA
- Miss RACHIDA ISSOLAH
- Mr SALAH CHOUAKI