Amman:The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the National Agricultural Research Center (NARC) have organized a technical workshop focused on the conservation and characterization of local almond genetic resources in Jordan.
According to Jordan News Agency, the workshop, titled "Conservation, Characterization and Evaluation of Genetic Diversity of Plant Genetic Resources, With a Focus on Local Almond Genetic Resources in Jordan," brought together representatives from government, academic, and research institutions, alongside plant genetic resources experts and specialists.
FAO Representative in Jordan Thaer Yaseen and NARC Director General Zakaria Musallam emphasized the importance of national efforts to protect plant genetic resources and preserve agricultural biodiversity. They described these efforts as crucial for food security and sustainable agricultural development. Yaseen highlighted the genetic diversity of local almonds as a strategic asset for tackling water scarcity and climate change challenges in the Kingdom.
The workshop is part of the "Conservation and Genetic Enhancement of Local Almond Varieties in Jordan for Sustainable Agricultural Development" project. This initiative aims to protect genetic diversity, enhance scientific research, and build national capacity. Yaseen stated that investing in genetic diversity is essential for sustaining production, improving water-use efficiency, and applying scientific knowledge practically for farmers and policymakers to support food security and sustainable agriculture.
Musallam described investment in scientific research and genetic resource protection as vital for the future of Jordanian agriculture. He noted that building a solid scientific knowledge base on local genetic resources would aid crop improvement programs, sustain production, and create new opportunities for researchers and farmers.
The workshop featured the project's findings on surveying, conserving, and characterizing local almond genetic resources in Jordan. Technical sessions covered various aspects of almond genetic resources, including morphological, molecular, and phenological characterization, quality management in applied agricultural research, and the significance of local knowledge in preserving agricultural diversity.
Interactive discussions focused on conservation and documentation priorities, future research directions, and utilizing local genetic resources in breeding and genetic improvement programs. Participants also discussed developing evidence-based agricultural policies and stressed the need to continue national efforts to document and preserve local plant genetic resources. They called for creating national scientific databases to support research and enhance the sector's adaptability to environmental and climate challenges.