First International Forum on Biosaline Agriculture Laayoune

Rationale

Increased demands on fresh water supplies in arid regions threaten the future sustained availability of fresh water for irrigation and crop production. Currently the quantity of water in these regions are very limited and most of the time are saline.   Current climate change predictions indicate that many Desert regions presently irrigated will face increasing temperatures and decreasing rainfall, further aggravating the water scarcity in these regions. The need to increase food production in Desert regions can only be achieved by increased productivity of irrigated lands and/or increased acreage under irrigation. Alternative water supplies as well as more efficient use of existing water supplies are essential in avoiding a food crisis in regions such as the Middle East, North Africa, and to sustain the food production. However, numerous constraints face brackish water use, such as the increase in soil salinity, yield reductions and high cost of agricultural inputs. On the other hand, brackish water could be looked at as an opportunity for irrigation, whether directly, or it could be desalinated or mixed with treated wastewater. 

Background:

Following the successful introduction of a new crop by the international Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Foum El Oued perimeter Laayoune. ICBA has been evaluating the growth and productivity of several field crops proven to have salt-tolerance potential, with the objective of studying their adaptation and yield potential to introduce them to the farmers in marginal and salt affected areas.   The candidate crops identified in this study are barley, sesbania, Blue Panicum and quinoa were cultivated and introduced in Foum Eloued perimeter in Laayoune region (South of Morocco). These crops have proven their potential to produce economic yields under saline conditions.  Higher yields could be expected though development of improved agronomic practices. The Forum will address issues critical to salinity management and maintaining or enhancing food production, while considering economic and social aspects.

This is the first of international Forum suggested to take place in accordance with the Arab Water Security Strategy, and within the framework of FAO Regional Water Scarcity Initiative, as well as the ICBA/ Phosboucraa cooperation on “Sustainable Management of Brackish Water Agriculture Use in Desert areas

Structure

Some of the features that distinguish this 2 days Forum include:

• Interdisciplinary focus ;
• Interactions between research, practice, and policy;
• Wide international participation ;
• Increased representation from developing and developed countries.

The Forum will maintain a balanced program to include policy and various scientific disciplines, such as, soil chemistry, plant sciences, irrigation science, agronomy, technology applied at the plant field level, and economics.

Topics

• Sustainable soil management under irrigation with saline waters
• Mapping and monitoring salinity at regional and field scales
• Best practices for brackish water use in Agriculture
• Development of Alternative crops with improved salt tolerance
• Conjunctive use of surface water, ground water and desalinated water

Keynote speakers

• Donald Suarez, USDA ARS Salinity Laboratory, Riverside, California, USA
• Jorge Batlle-Sales, University of Valencia, Spain
• Ismahane El Ouafi, Director General of the ICBA, Dubai; UAE
• Dr. Bas Bruning . Salt Farm, Nederland
•  Mohamed Hachicha, INGREF, Tunis, Tunisia
• Abdulrasoul  M. Alomran, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
• Al Rusan Munir, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Jordan
• Ragab, Ragab; Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Hydrological Processes
• Jauad El Kharraz, MEDRC Water Research, Muscat, Sultanate Oman
• Mr.  Steve Green. Lesley Kennedy, Wellington, New Zealand.
• Dr. Shahid Shabbir Soil scientist, and Ex Senior Scientist ICBA, Dubai