WLI thematic research group -conclusion Nahla zaki

Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia, Lebanon  Two years of challenges and results are promising.  More data is still needed ……Modeling will help in identifying the best places to use the different techniques and interventions to improve water productivity  Different technologies are available, adopted and disseminated.  Need a modeling process to look at how changes in all the different parameters (water, climate change….) will address the different systems. Iraq, Yemen, palestine

General remarks  We need to show what is happening now and use tools (model) to look at the big picture and future. we need to show future management strategies to policy maker, ………….with and without improved management  land use planning includes the economic aspect as well as the land and water management techniques……... the model chosen should be twigged to work in specific agro-ecosystems.

General remarks  Predicting future water productivity  Moving from field to site or system level  Diversity of conditions in our sites (land, water, cropping patterns, production systems (crop and livestock – and tracing the water through the various interventions)  But important to identify the capabilities and reliability of the model in terms of inputs (accurate data) theoretical bases …., etc.

General remarks  Why not build your own model than try and fit a model that is not built for another area?... takes too long? …..It takes time to develop good robust models.  Overview of where we want to be in the short time – to assess the comparative merit of the strategy…. Simple way of letting decision makers know of the benefits of disseminating the technology

WAY TO THE ROAD-MAP  For all countries… agree on models or strategies…integrate more than one model to respond to these research questions  Encouraged the use of others experiences within WLI or out …..for modeling assessments.  Determine questions to be answered at the end of the year…. Something common among the different countries at the end.  Training and experience exchange opportunities among countries… may arrange some special workshops, and training events based on countries demands (Lebanon and Egypt teams offers experience exchange help…)