ACSAD holds virtual training course on methods of assessing land degradation

A 2-day virtual training course on measuring and assessing land degradation kicked off on Wednesday at the headquarters of Arab Centre for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) in Damascus in collaboration with the Arab Agricultural Engineers Union.

According to Naser Edin Obeid, ACSAD Director General, the course, in which 119 trainees from 12 Arab countries are taking part, is very important for getting acquainted with up-to-date technology used in observing the situation of land in order to interfere at the suitable time to control desertification, restore degraded lands and prepare them for production.

Obeid stressed the need to join efforts as to tackle the issues of desertification and land degradation, pointing out that ACSAD depends in observing land degradation on multi-date satellite data so that it can prepare accurate maps.

He reviewed some of the successes achieved by the center in several Arab countries that have good results in terms of preserving and reclaiming pastures.

He noted the important role being played by ACSAD as an Arab expert house in building Arab capabilities in the various fields of agricultural development.

He reiterated the need to preserve the lands and control their degradation and to alleviate the negative impacts of current climate changes in a way that contributes to achieving Arab food security.

Hamda Mustafa