FAO-ARRINENA
Draft Information note
Workshop on Good Agricultural Practices
For AARENINA Olive Network Member Countries
19-21 December 2005, Cyprus
The concept of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) is the application of available knowledge to the use of the natural resource base in a sustainable way for the production of safe, healthy food and non-food agricultural products, in a humane manner, while achieving economic viability and social stability. This concept is one of knowing, understanding, planning, measuring, recording, and managing to achieve identified social, environmental and production goals. This requires a sound and comprehensive management strategy and the capability for responsive tactical adjustments as circumstances change. Success depends upon developing the skill and knowledge bases, on continuous recording and analysis of performance, and the use of expert advice as required.
Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) has become an important issue for many developing countries. The key challenge is how to make agricultural systems more sustainable in a world where food supply chains are increasingly globalized and complex and pressures on farmer’s livelihoods are strong.
The concept of GAP should include the following aspects:
a- Four pillars of sustainability: Good Agricultural Practices should be economically viable, environmentally sustainable, and socially acceptable; inclusive of food safety and quality dimensions,
b- A focus on primary production, within a given incentives and institutional context;
c- Taking into account existing voluntary and/or mandatory codes of practices and guidelines in agriculture.
An Olive guideline for Good Agriculture Practices (GAP) is proposed to be prepared. The main objective of this guideline is to:
a- Improve the productivity of Olive-based farming systems in the Near East and North Africa countries on sustainable bases.
b- Bringing farmers and facilitators together to do guided and collaborative Olive crop trials.
c- Bringing collaborators to a closer understanding of the crop and its interaction with the local environment.
Presently these guidelines are within a set of pamphlets which are prepared by a consultant.
The workshop will adapt the guidelines for participatory on-farm research for the specific condition of the Near East and North Africa taking into account the prevailing climatic conditions of the Near East and North Africa Region. The guidelines will be prepared and published in English.
Participants:
The focal point of the olive network members (experienced researchers/horticulturists) will participate from the following countries:
· Morocco
· Algeria
· Tunisia
· Libya
· Egypt
· Syria
· Jordan
· Lebanon
· Saudi Arabia
· Yemen
· Turkey
· Iran
· Cyprus
Preparation of Working Group Meeting:
Before attending the workshop, the focal points of the group participants will prepare and present a country profile on Olive. In particular, the profile will address, as far as possible, the following issues:
1. Management of Main Resources (Inputs)
1.1. Soil
1.2. Water
1.3 Planting Materials
2. Establishment of Orchard and Cultural Practices
Techniques from Integrated Crop Management (ICM), Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Organic Cultivation will be also included.
2.1. Land Preparation /Orchard Layout
2.2. Tree planting
2.3. Irrigation
2.4. Fertilization
2.5. Pest and Disease Control
2.6. Weed control
2.7. Tillage
2.8. Pruning
2.9. Mulching
2.10. Interplanting – Rotation
3. Harvesting
4. Transportation-storage
5. Post harvest handling-processing
6. Farmer/Worker Health and Safety
7. Energy and Waste Management
8. Hygiene.
9. Implementation of the standards
a) Certification and monitoring programs on farmer’s level.
b) Labeling
c) Role of Governments or intergovernmental agencies in relation to the implementation of the standards and certification programmes on farmers level and trade labeling
d) The incentives for farmers to adopt GAPs
8:30- 9:00 Registration
9:00 -9:45 Opening session: FAO, AARINENA, ARC (Cyprus) statements
9:45- 10: 15 Coffee break
Session 1: Introductory Remarks
10:15-10:30 Introduction to GAP………………………………………………..Taher
10:30-11:00 Presentation of current guidelines on GAP for Olives……………………Costas
Presentation of Country profiles by Olive Network Focal Points Members
11:00-11:15 Morocco Country profile
11:15-11:30 Tunisia Country Profile
11:30-11:45 Libya Country Profile
11:45-12:00 Egypt Country profile
12:00-12:15 Cyprus Country Profile
12:15-12:30 Lebanon Country Profile
12:30- 02:00 Lunch break
02:00-02:15 Syria Country Profile
02:15- 02:30 Turkey Country Profile
02:30- 02:45 Iran Country Profile
02:45- 03:00 Jordan Country Profile
03:00- 03:15 Yemen Country Profile
03:15: 03:30 Coffee break
Session 2: Discussion topics:
03:30-5:30
§ Summary of morning presentations
§ Table of generalities arising from morning session
§ Are research guides needed? Where? For what level? What topics?
§ Introduction to each chapter philosophy and content.
Chapters will be addressed in decreasing importance, delegating a person to each topic.
If new important topics arise, a volunteer will be asked to rough out that chapter.
Session 3: Discussion by working groups
9:00-11:00 Preparation of the new guidelines.
11:00-11:30 Coffee break
11:30-13:30 Preparation of the new guidelines (continue).
13:30-15:00 Lunch break
15:00-17:00 Preparation of the new guidelines (continue)
Session 4: Discussion by working groups (Continued)
9: 00- 11:00 preparation of the final version of guidelines.
11:00-11:15 Coffee break
Special session: AARINENA Olive Network:
11:15- 11:30 Election of Olive Network Chairman of the Board
11:30-11:45 Current olive activities in the region (Coordinator of AARINENA Olive Network)
Presentation of Olive Network Working Groups Coordinators (WG):
11:45-12:00: Post Harvest -Jordan
12:00-12:15 Socio-Economic & Commercialization- Syria
12:15-12:30 Production &Protection-Egypt
12:30-13:00 Closing of the workshop.
13:00-18:00 Lunch and Field trip