Amman, Nov. 4 (Petra) -- The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) organized a technical workshop with the National Agricultural Research Center (NARC) on conserving and characterizing local almond genetic resources in Jordan, according to an FAO statement Wednesday.
The workshop, titled "Conservation, Characterization and Evaluation of Genetic Diversity of Plant Genetic Resources, With a Focus on Local Almond Genetic Resources in Jordan," drew representatives of government, academic and research institutions, along with experts and specialists in plant genetic resources.
FAO Representative in Jordan Thaer Yaseen and NARC Director General Zakaria Musallam stressed the importance of strengthening national efforts to protect plant genetic resources and preserve agricultural biodiversity, describing these efforts as essential to food security and sustainable agricultural development.
Yaseen said the genetic diversity of local almonds is part of the Kingdom's natural capital and a strategic resource for addressing water scarcity and climate change.
The workshop falls under the project "Conservation and Genetic Enhancement of Local Almond Varieties in Jordan for Sustainable Agricultural Development," which focuses on protecting genetic diversity, strengthening scientific research and building national capacity.
Investing in this diversity is no longer an option but a strategic necessity, Yaseen said. Such investment would help sustain production, improve water-use efficiency and translate scientific knowledge into practical applications for farmers and policymakers, while supporting food security and sustainable agricultural systems.
Musallam described investment in scientific research and the protection of genetic resources as an investment in the future of Jordanian agriculture. Building a sound scientific knowledge base on local genetic resources would support crop improvement programs, help sustain production and create new opportunities for researchers and farmers, he added.
The workshop presented findings from a project to survey, conserve and characterize local almond genetic resources in Jordan. Technical sessions covered morphological, molecular and phenological characterization of almond genetic resources, quality management in applied agricultural research, and the role of local knowledge in preserving agricultural diversity.
Interactive discussions addressed conservation and documentation priorities, future research directions, and ways to make greater use of local genetic resources in breeding and genetic improvement programs. Participants also discussed developing evidence-based agricultural policies.
Participants stressed the importance of continuing national efforts to document and preserve local plant genetic resources. They also called for the development of national scientific databases to support research and agricultural decision-making, increase productivity and improve the sector's ability to adapt to environmental and climate challenges.
//Petra// NQ
