NUCIS number 12. September 2004. 52 pages (full ... - IAMZ - ciheam

ISHS International Congress on Hazelnutwas held in Tarragona, Spain and theproceedings will be published in ActaHorticulturae. During 2004 two moreSymposia are planned: (i) the III ISHS InternationalSymposium on Chestnut to beheld in October in Portugal, Chaves, VilaReal; and (ii) the V ISHS InternationalWalnut Symposium to be held in Sorrento,Italy in November.The Network’s Coordinator participated intwo Scientific Committee Meetings andthe Convention of the International TreeNut Council (INC) held in Berlin (Germany)and Las Vegas (USA) respectively.The importance of promoting the healthycomponent of nut consumption in the humandiet through advertisement wasstressed. This is considered essential forsuccessful marketing and to sustain demand.Worldwide nut production is increasingover the years and its supply istaken by the also increasing world consumption.It seems that nut markets canbe further developed. The INC expressedan interest to collaborate and work closelywith the Nut Network. The issues ofpreventing and reducing kernel’s aflatoxincontamination through better crop preharvestand postharvest management is ofparamount importance for the INC.Almond trees starting bloom at IRTA,E.E. Lleida, SpainESCORENA’s reviewThe ESCORENA networks can be classifiedinto three groups according to thefield of agricultural activity: crop production,animal production and environment.The 23 rd Regional Conference for Europe(Nicosia, Cyprus, May 2002) recognizedthe importance of ESCORENA as the researchnetworks brought added value notonly to European scientists and their researchinstitutions, but also to partnersand beneficiaries beyon European borders.Furthermore, the Conference endorsedthe recommendation of the 32 ndSession of the European Commission onAgriculture (ECA) that an assessmentand evaluation be undertaken for eachnetwork. During 2003, this assessmentwas carried out by M. Larbier, a visitingscientist seconded to FAO by INRA, andhis report and proposals for the futurewere submitted to the 33 rd Session ofECA held in Rome in March 2004. OurReseach Network on Nuts was consideredamong those ten to be retained andfor having good potential for continuity inthe future. This conclusion was reacheddue to dynamic coordination, adaptationof research towards the aim of sustainabledevelopment, importance of the programmeand quality of the scientific andtechnical communication means used.The ECA was also informed of CIHEAM’sintention to continue to cooperate and cosponsorthree of these ten networks, includingour Nut Network. The report submittedto the ECA included an estimate ofthe necessary funds needed to ensure futurefunctioning of ESCORENA. Consideringthe budgetary constraints faced byFAO, the proposal to establish a multi-donorTrust Fund was made. The ECA reportwas submitted to the 24 th FAO RegionalConference for Europe (Montpellier,May 2004) but no decission on this issuewas taken. It seems that the financialsupport towards our Network by themember countries under circumstancesof financial difficulties and uncertainty isessential to foster activities.The Nut Network’s futureNut tree production, trade and industry isan important economical activity relatedto sustainable agriculture, often in marginallands, in both European and NearEastern Regions. Nuts are of major importanceand are typical components ofthe traditional and healthy Mediterraneandiet. To accomplish sustainable developmentand food security, a future combinedeffort in R&D, environmental managementand communication is needed.Due to overall budgetary constraints, theNetwork on Nuts has in recent years, undergonea restructuring exercise which isnow fully implemented. Thus, the Networkhas reorganized and simplified its structureand is trying to focus more on developmentoriented issues rather than its previousstrong genetic resources collection,description and improvement. In addition,as a result of the assessment carried outin 2003 mentioned above, two workinggroups: Genetic Resources and Economicswere suggested for elimination.Considering the current and future relevanceof the Network, it is generally seenby its members as a useful tool for bettercollaboration, and the opportunities tocome together are viewed as very importantfor project development. Accordingly,recent Network developments are focusedon research issues which are of priorityimportance for developing countriesand for countries in transition, particularlyin the Balkans, Caucasus and North Africa,but also beyond, wherever researchresults are relevant to stimulate growthand alleviate poverty and hunger. The relevanceand potential usefulness of ourNut Network is based on the availabilityof considerable genetic resources andtechnical experience for the developmentof nut tree crops in Europe and the NearEast regions. In addition, useful contributionsto rural development and the globalgenetic resources understanding can bemade. Major research areas of broad interest,which should be addressed are: foodsafety, biodiversity, biotechnology and sustainablemanagement of natural resources,including low-input agriculture. To strengthenFAO’s support to our Network it is necessaryto adopt a “project approach” ofactivities. This should be carried out incollaboration with relevant FAO Units.Genetic resources inventoriesThree Inventories on Germplasm, Researchand References have been alreadypublished: Almond (1997, RTS 51),Hazelnut (2000, RTS 56) and Chestnut(2001, RTS 65). These inventories publishedin the REU Technical Series(http://www.fao.org/regional/europe/PUB),are important compilations of the currentlyavailable species genetic resourcesand information on ongoing research projectsand bibliography. In addition, twomore inventories are being compiled andare at different stages of completion. TheInventory on Walnut being compiled by E.Germain is to be published shortly andthe Inventory on Pistachio is being collatedby N. Kaska and B.E. Ak. All thesecatalogues are being supported by FAO’sRegional Office for Europe and the Seedand Plant Genetic Resources Service(AGPS) together with CIHEAM-IAMZ.In addition, a draft Descriptors List forHazelnut has been developed by membersof the Network and has now beensubmitted to IPGRI for assessment andeventual editing and publication.Changes in the FAO Regional Officefor EuropeAs mentioned above, Mr. Michel Larbier,a visiting scientist seconded from INRA,France, took the task to evaluate andsuggest a proposal to re-organize ESCO-RENA. The efforts made by M. Larbier inreviewing the whole ESCORENA systemare acknowledged. Ms. Jutta Krause, RegionalRepresentative for Europe (FAORegional Office for Europe in Rome) isthe FAO contact person for ESCORENA.2 FAO-CIHEAM - Nucis-Newsletter, Number 12 September 2004