ACSAD Strengthens
Jordanian-Syrian Cooperation to Develop Livestock and Promote Sustainable
Agriculture Amid Climate Change Challenges
Damascus – The Arab Center
for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD):
Dr. Nasr Al-Din Al-Obeid, Director General of ACSAD, emphasized
the importance of expanding livestock development programs within the center’s
future strategy. The initiative aims to enhance local breeds of goats,
Awassi sheep, and camels to increase productivity, improve climate
adaptability, and ensure greater economic viability for Arab farmers.
This statement came during
his meeting in Damascus with Ambassador Sufyan Al-Qudah, the newly
appointed Jordanian Ambassador to the Syrian Arab Republic, where both
sides discussed strengthening scientific and research cooperation
between ACSAD and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in the fields
of food and water security, natural resource management, and sustainable
agriculture.
Enhancing
Breeds and Achieving Food Security
Dr. Al-Obeid highlighted
that ACSAD continues to lead advanced research programs carried out by
teams of Arab scientists and experts focused on livestock improvement in
arid and semi-arid regions. These programs prioritize the selection of breeds
adapted to drought and high temperatures, a crucial step toward achieving Arab
food security and developing sustainable scientific solutions to
agricultural and livestock production challenges.
He also pointed to ACSAD’s
achievements in the field crop sector, developing high-yield,
drought-resistant wheat and barley varieties, alongside efforts to expand
the cultivation of spineless cactus, a high-value alternative crop suitable
for regions affected by climate change and water scarcity.
ACSAD:
The Arab Scientific Arm Against Desertification
Dr. Al-Obeid presented to
Ambassador Al-Qudah an overview of ACSAD’s pivotal role as one of the main
technical arms of the Arab League, dedicated to combating
desertification, developing water and soil resources, and advancing modern
agricultural technologies.
He reviewed major ACSAD
projects implemented across Arab countries in recent years, which
contributed to improving water use efficiency, developing natural
rangelands, and increasing crop productivity.
A
Sustainable Jordanian Partnership for Agricultural Development
The ACSAD Director praised Jordan’s
continued support for the center’s initiatives and its fruitful cooperation
with the Jordanian Ministries of Agriculture, Environment, and Water and
Irrigation. This partnership was crowned by the opening of ACSAD’s
office in Amman, which serves as a hub for coordinating regional
projects and sharing Arab expertise in sustainable agriculture.
Dr. Al-Obeid stressed the
importance of enhancing coordination mechanisms between ACSAD and
Jordan in the areas of water management, food security, livestock
development, and natural resource protection, to achieve shared development
goals.
At the end of the meeting,
Dr. Al-Obeid presented ACSAD’s commemorative shield to Ambassador
Al-Qudah in appreciation of his efforts to strengthen Arab cooperation
in agricultural development and scientific research.
Jordan’s
Appreciation for ACSAD’s Scientific Role
For his part, Ambassador Sufyan
Al-Qudah expressed Jordan’s deep appreciation for ACSAD’s outstanding
scientific and research expertise, noting that the organization plays a vital
role in advancing Arab agriculture through applied research and
effective scientific solutions to drought and desertification.
He reaffirmed Jordan’s
commitment to expanding joint cooperation in future agricultural
projects that serve the mutual interests of both countries and the
wider Arab region, enhancing their collective ability to address
environmental and climate challenges.
Toward
a Resilient and Sustainable Arab Agricultural Future
This meeting comes at a
critical time when the Arab agricultural sector faces increasing
challenges due to drought, water scarcity, and rising temperatures. In
this context, ACSAD’s scientific research and field projects form a cornerstone
for strengthening food and water security across the region.
As Arab countries move
toward adopting modern technologies and sustainable resource management practices,
the Jordanian-Syrian cooperation through ACSAD stands as a promising
model of Arab collaboration in confronting climate change and
achieving sustainable agricultural development.
