Combating Desertification – Grazing Management & Soil Conservation

MASHAV and CINADCO, invite professionals from the agriculture and rural development sector, from countries which suffer from desertification processes, to participate in this International Training Program.

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 4^th 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

Agriculture and environment in a changing climate - the Israeli perspective

MASHAV – Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation, and CINADCO - Center for International Agricultural Development Cooperation, in association with the ARO Volcani Center's Institute of Soil, Water and Environmental Sciences invite professionals to participate in this international course.


Date: November 27th – December 18th, 2012
Venue: CINADCO's Training Centre, the Volcani Agricultural Complex, Israel. 

About the course

Background

The increase in quantities of atmospheric greenhouse gases over the last 150 years and its influence on climate has become a major contemporary concern. In the Eastern Mediterranean, climate models predict increased temperatures and decreasing rainfall in the coming decades. This can lead to profound impacts on the environment, and requires adaptation steps in all sectors, including agriculture, to prevent detrimental results.

Israel has semi-arid and arid climates, and suffers from frequent drought years. Pressure on Israel's water resources has challenged its aquifers both in quantity and quality. In order to maintain its intensive agricultural production under these harsh conditions there has been a constant drive to (a) increase water use efficiency by utilizing improved understanding of soil properties, crop water use, and atmospheric demand for evapotranspiration, (b) to use new resources (e.g. marginal water) and (c) to develop new techniques and methodologies that enable the practice of sustainable agriculture. Solutions adopted include improved irrigation practices, replacing fresh water with treated urban/domestic sewage water for irrigation of many crops, amendment of soils with composted sewage sludge and breeding of varieties with greater resistance to marginal water. At the same time attention has been given to the environmental aspects of these practices so as to prevent contamination of soil and aquifers.

Aims

Upon their return to their home countries, it is expected that participants should be able to:

• Initiate and conduct research needed for improving crop water use and irrigation.
• Initiate and conduct research needed for optimizing the use of marginal waters (saline and treated sewage) for irrigation for a wide range of crops with minimal risks to the environment.
• Contribute to the scientific knowledge on these subjects in their home countries.
• Maintain the scientific relations formed during the course and implement combined agricultural projects and joint research between Israel and their respective organizations. 

Qualifications

The Course is designed for researchers, academic staff of agricultural research institutes and universities and senior executive staff active in areas related to the subject matter of the course. Applicants should have relevant academic degrees and at least 3 years’ experience in their work.

Application forms

Application forms and other information may be obtained at the nearest Israeli mission and at Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

Completed application forms, including the medical form should be sent to the Israeli mission in your area and also faxed or e-mailed to the CINADCO Training Center in Israel: Fax no: +972 3 9485771 / e-mail: sigalp@moag.gov.il

See more information here.

Agribusiness - A Tool for the Empowerment of Rural Women

An International Course 15th - 31st  October, 2012

Venue: MCTC - The Golda Meir Mount Carmel International Training Center (15th – 22nd October, 2012) and CINADCO – Training Center for International Agricultural Development Cooperation (23rd - 31st October, 2012)

Requirements   

The course is geared towards professionals 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 on Israel's Foreign Ministry's website. Completed application forms, including the medical form, should be sent to the relevant Israeli mission, who will forward them to the MCTC Training Center in Israel, by  or  before 15th August, 2012.  

See course background, aims and more information here.