ACSAD Holds 2nd Workshop on Raising Irrigation Efficiency in Arab Countries

Beirut, (ST) – The Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry land “ACSAD” held here recently the second workshop on raising irrigation efficiency in Arab States. Some 25 experts representing 14 Arab countries, including Syria and three international organizations including FAO, GEZ and ICARDA in addition to the experts of the center took part in the workshop.

The Director General of ACSAD Dr. Rafiq Ali Saleh, said in his speech during the opening ceremony that the workshop is to discuss the study prepared by ACSAD center on irrigation efficiency in the Arab countries, analyze the results and determine the required training programs to move forward in improving the efficiency of irrigation in the Arab countries.

 Dr. Saleh indicated that the General Assembly, in the last meeting, commended the role and efforts of ACSAD in the preparation and completion of implementation plan of the Arab strategy for water security in the Arab region to face the challenges and future requirements for sustainable development in the Arab region, adding that this project comes within the strategy mentioned.

“The General Assembly also decided to invite the Arab states that have not yet joined the project of raising irrigation efficiency in the Arab countries to designate a national coordinator whose task is to coordinate  between the Arab Center experts and technical and administrative bodies at the participating  ministry and other relevant ministries to follow up the implementation of the project components in addition to the call of  international and regional organizations and Arab funds related to contribute to the implementation of the activities and components of the project through collaboration with ACSAD in determining this contribution and mechanisms of implementation,” Dr. Saleh pointed out.

The program of the two -day workshop, which was held in Beirut, discussed  several important issues, including the comprehensive study about irrigation in the Arab countries, the experience of ACSAD efficiency in this area and training in the field of water management for irrigation to improve the efficiency of use. The workshop also addressed the topics of  watery guidance to raise the field irrigation efficiency and best practices in the field of water management in the agricultural sector and opportunities to face water scarcity under changing climatic condition in the Arab region.

Sharif al -Khatib