Thomas Glauben introduced a few IAMO research projects and the implementation of scientific transfer activities in dry regions with similar arid environments to Tunisia. IAMO Director stressed the importance of international cooperation and improving the capacity of national education and research institutes in order to tackle ever-growing challenges associated with the consequences of climate change. He has indicated great opportunities for cooperation between Tunisian research institutes and IAMO.
HE Mr. Abdelmonaam Belaati, Minister for Agriculture, Water Resources and Fisheries of Tunisia, warmly welcomed the IAMO team and summarized the challenges of developing the agricultural sector of Tunisia and the problems due to the lack of water resources. He also mentioned the great achievements of Tunisian researchers in tackling those problems and the improvement of productivity in the country. H.E. Wacef Chiha, Ambassador of the Republic of Tunisia, also warmly welcomed the IAMO team at the Embassy and indicated his support in establishing cooperation activities between IAMO and Tunisian research institutions.
Osama Ahmed provided brief information about projects of IAMO in arid areas, as e.g. in Morocco and Egypt, which show similar environments with Tunisia. Especially he provided some examples from the project “Towards resilient and sustainable integrated agro-ecosystems through appropriate climate-smart farming practices” (TRUSTFARM). The main aim of the TRUSTFARM is to design integrated agro-ecosystems based on the conservation principles of using natural resources and the circular economy in order to make production systems more resilient to climate change. The climate-smart method used by the project has shown significant positive results in terms of increasing grain productivity, reducing water use for irrigation, and reducing chemical fertilizer use that fosters the transition to resilient agro-ecosystems.
Ihtiyor Bobojonov reports about successful examples of cooperation with agricultural ministries in Central Asia in terms of scientific transfer as well as developing national universities and research institutes. Especially he talked about the German-Uzbek Chair at Tashkent International Agrarian University where Uzbek scientists cooperate with Germany in several directions related to research and education.
HE Mr. Abdelmonaam Belaati proposed to initiate an online working-level meeting to discuss further steps for cooperation followed by a visit to Tunisia for onsite discussions and planning.
