Date: 5-21 November, 2012
Venue: CINADCO Training Center, Israel
Background
Desertification is the degradation of
dryland ecosystems, caused by certain factors such as man’s agricultural activities and climate change
that transform fertile land to non-fertile land due to overexploitation and
unsustainable practices. According to estimates by the United Nations
Environment Programme (UNEP), one quarter of the earth's land is threatened by
desertification, and the livelihoods of over 1 billion people in more than 100 countries
are also jeopardized as farming and grazing land becomes less productive.
Overgrazing is one of the factors for
desertification. When grazing activity is not properly controlled, overgrazing
removes the vegetation that prevents soil erosion and it may subsequently take years to restore the
soil’s fertility rate.
Israel, comprised almost entirely of
drylands with the ever-present threats of soil degradation and desertification,
has taken a number of countermeasures during the past several years to address
and combat the desertification processes. Most of these measures have been
within the framework of national and regional planning, environmental, and development
strategies.
Natural control of free-ranging
livestock herds has been combined with afforestation in vulnerable regions in
active erosion control programs to regulate nomadic grazing, and to promote
water-saving, salt tolerant crops together with advanced agricultural
techniques. Considerable tracts of Israeli forests have been planted on lands
that were degraded, frequently as a result of historic overgrazing or
deforestation. These forest plots contribute directly to soil conservation, but
are also used as a source for controlled grazing, in coordination with pastoralists’ seasonal grazing
schedules, thereby reducing grazing pressures in the region. Reduced grazing
and the shading effect of the trees promote the rehabilitation of indigenous
vegetation in many places, which further contributes to soil conservation.
Aims
The training program aims to share
Israel’s experience and research in grazing management and soil conservation,
taking into consideration the adaptability of methods and technologies (e.g.
water harvesting, minimal tillage, no-tillage), to meet local conditions in each
participant's country. After completion of this training it is envisaged that
the participant will implement the planning, environmental, and development
strategies or policies related to grazing control and soil conservation.
The
Program
The training program will include
professional lectures and visits on the following subjects: Grazing in
Drylands, Monitoring Natural Pastures,
Natural Pastures and Forest Management, Grazing Statutes and Policy
Implementations, Soil Conservation measures in arid lands, enhanced water use
efficiency in arid and semi-arid regions, Soil and land restoration efforts as
well as afforestation projects. The participants will also have the opportunity
to participate in the 4th International Conference on Drylands, Deserts and
Desertification which will take place at the Blaustein Institutes for
Desert Research, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Sde Boqer Campus, 12-15,
November 2012. Visit www.desertification.bgu.ac.il
For more information.
Criteria
The training is geared towards
professionals from developing countries which suffer from desertification and
land degradation processes involved in agriculture and rural development.
Candidates should hold an academic degree in related disciplines, and at least
two years of professional work experience in related fields. Priority will be
given to professional staff involved in national / regional projects, with and/or under the aegis of governmental
institutions, national and/or international organizations, research institutes,
universities, NGOs, etc. A full command of English is required.
Application
Application forms and other information
may be obtained at the nearest Israeli mission and at Israel's Foreign
Ministry's website. Completed
application forms, including the medical form should be sent to the relevant
Israeli mission and to the CINADCO Training Center in Israel until the 23rd September, 2012. Fax No: +972 9 959 5733 or E-mail: english@cinadco.co.il
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