International Course Program on Mitigation of Abiotic Factors in Arid and Semi-Arid Environments- 2017

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International Course Program on Mitigation of Abiotic Factors in Arid and Semi-Arid Environments- 2017

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International Course Program on Mitigation of Abiotic Factors in Arid and Semi-Arid Environments- 2017

MASAHV, Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs organized a training course on mitigation of abiotic factors in arid and semi-arid environments during 22 Oct 2017 to 10 Nov 2017 at Gilat Research Center in Israel. This training is organized for professionals in agriculture field who have knowledge on agriculture research and can overtake the technologies from the various researches being carried in Israel in mitigating plant stress due to various abiotic factors. The training in general focused on research activities being carried out at the Gilat Research Center. Altogether 17 participants from eight countries had participated in the training.

CEAPRED with an objective to capacitate its project staff in climate change aspect, nominated Mr. Roshan Subedi, Program Coordinator, for this training. RMV (Resilient Mountain Village) is a pilot initiative of ICIMOD in partnership with CEAPRED since 2014 in Kavrepalanchowk district. The project objective is to promote small scale technologies for adaptation of climate change. Hence, the training was expected to bring out some innovative technologies at field through learning gained during the training.

The main aim of the training was to enrich the participants with a basic understanding of the latest advances in agriculture in arid and semi-arid environments including: effects of abiotic environmental conditions, principles soil physical and chemical composition; water availability and quality; heat/cold, solar irradiance; and the interactions among these factors. In an agricultural ecosystem, humans can manipulate many aspects to mitigate adverse abiotic stressor.

Components of Training

The major components of the training are given below:

  • Lectures: Lectures were provided on relevant topic from 23rd Oct, 2017. All lectures and lab works were conducted at Gilat Research Center.
  • Lab work: Out of 17 participants from various countries, they were divided in 4 different groups. Individual group performed their respective lab experimentation. Mr. Subedi was deployed in studying carbohydrate participation on Almond in nitrogen stress condition.
  • Field Visits: Field visits were organized at various places. At first it was organized at NETAFIN a world’s pioneer industry for drip irrigation on 2nd November, Jerusalem on 3rd Nov and on 5th Nov Dead Sea & Arava.
  • Certificate distribution and Final Presentation: After the completion of the all the lectures, certificates were awarded to the participants. Participants shared their opinions about how they will utilize their learning in the future.
  • Reports and Posters on Lab work: After completion of lab work a poster on the related topic was prepared. Similarly, a report on the lab work was submitted to the CINADCO.
  • Participation at Dry land, Desert and Desertification conference: Participants of the training were provided an opportunity to participate at the dry land, desert and desertification conference at Ben Gurion University since 6-9 Nov, 2017.

Conclusion:

The 21 days training course organized by MASHAV was very useful and conference on the dryland, desert and desertification was a great learning opportunity for the participants.