Enhancing date palm integrated pest management in Abu Dhabi
Period of Implementations
Jan 01, 2015 - Apr 30, 2017
Total budget
900,000
Project Name Enhancing date palm integrated pest management and agricultural extension and technology transfer systems in Abu Dhabi
About
Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) and Abu Dhabi Farmers Services Centre (ADFSC) as beneficiary partners in collaboration with ICARDA are working on Date Palm Integrated Pest Management and Agricultural Extension and Technology Transfer Systems in Abu Dhabi. Project components include Research for development activities on date palm IPM, enhancement of technology transfer and agricultural extension systems, capacity building, biological control in greenhouses and socio-economic analysis.
Impact
Goals
The overall goal is to initiate an advanced research program on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and enhance agricultural extension and technology transfer systems in Abu Dhabi
Objectives
Improve the efficiency of agricultural extension and technology transfer systems;
Review the advantages and disadvantages of the existing Date Palm IPM program in Abu Dhabi to develop and recommend a comprehensive research program addressing the IPM of major date palm pests;
Enhance the capacity of ADFCA researchers and technicians on date palm IPM as well as advance technology transfer and the extension system;
Introduce biological control measures for vegetable crops under protected agriculture.
Impact pathways
The project will review the efficiency of the existing agricultural extension system and technology transfer approaches used in ADFCA as well as a socio-economic impact study of extension activities on the farms' income. It will develop an e-diary software application to enhance extension activities and will provide technical advisory notes for extension agents in order to bring improvements to the system. This will contribute to CGIAR's strategic goals e.g. increased income (1.3) with more livelihood opportunities (1.3.2) for farmers and more efficient use of inputs (1.3.4) in agriculture. Based on present date palm IPM activities, recommendations for its enhancement and experts' advice on future research priorities, a full fledge research program will be devised to improve agricultural practices (2.3). Moreover, technical extension handouts and field guides for managing date palm, cash crops and forages will be used in the capacity building of Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority ADFCA & Abu Dhabi Farmers services center ADFSC researchers which will eventually contribute to CGIAR strategic goal D. National partner and beneficiaries enabled (D. 1). It will enhance researchers capacity at individual scale through training and exchange (D. 1.2) and is more likely to increase capacity for innovation in ADFCA & ADFSC. Through a precision geoinformatics system for pest management, the project is aimed at the adoption of biological control measures to ensure improved food safety (2.2) and improved health through these agricultural practices (2.3) under the CGIAR strategic goal.
Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is a major fruit crop in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The crop’s tolerance to high temperature, drought, and salinity makes it suitable to the harsh environment in the MENA region. Date palm is...