GIAHS Scientific and Steering Committee Meeting

Transcription

1 GIAHS Scientific and Steering Committee Meeting Dynamic Conservation of unique agricultural systems around the world: experiences and lessons learned Historic oasis system in Gafsa, Tunisia Lazhar CHERIF: President of the de Association for the Conservation of the Médina of Gafsa, TUNISIA April 2014, FAO Rome, Italy

2 Historic overview Described by modern historians as the «door of the desert», Gafsa the proud heir of the old Capsa, is the southernmost oasis of North Africa Hermaion El Guettar : religious monument dating back to the Middle Paleolithic (moustérien), is a cultural monument dedicated to the source of water ( yrs)

3 Kasba South West Ksar 3

4 Oasis agriculture Enhancement of genetic resources of the autochthonous plants around the water source Development of three layered system Palm tree layer Genetic richness 18 cultivated varieties Tree layer More than 20 fruit tree species are cultivated High level of resistance Herbaceous layer Forage and leguminous cultures

5 Human ingenuity in land and water management Working the soil Water sharing

6 The historic Gafsa Oasis as pilot system of the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems project

7 The dynamic conservation of the Gafsa Oasis in the framework of the GIAHS project The activities related to the dynamic conservation carried out are the result of a consultantion and awareness raising process in synergy with the strategy and methodology. Promoted by the FAO/GEF/GIAHS project. All the activities are carried out in partnership with all NGOs active in the oasis, research and development institutions, government organisations and professional and international development organisations. 1st GIAHS-Oasis Gafsa workshop, Tunisia, November nd GIAHS-Oasis workshop, El-Oued, Algeria, June 2006

8 Capacity building for local stakeholders Multi-stakeholder process

9 Awareness raising on the need for biodiversity conservation Organisation of dates and abricot fairs from the Gafsa Oasis

10 Sustainable organic waste management Compost and livestock feed COMPOST PRODUCTION LIVESTOCK FEED PRODUCTION Fight against soil degradation Conservation of oasis animal diversity

11 BOOKS Community life in Gafsa and the neighbouring Oasis villages between 1881 and the 19 th century

12 GAFSA: UNE TERRE, UNE HISTOIRE, DES HOMMES

13 Support for poor artisans in Gafsa Establishment of a weaving centre

14 THE GIAHS INITIATIVE ON THE NATIONAL LEVEL

15 Preparation, discussion and approval of a National Charta for the Dynamic Conservation and the Development of the Historic Oasis in Tunisia National declaration for the recognition of oasis ecosystems as cultural, social, economic and environmental heritage The objective: Put in place the basis for a consensus for the conservation of this common heritage for current and future generations The charta aimes at supporting the integration of the oasis in national and regional policiy developments

16 Discussion of the Charta with local stakeholders

17 Documentary film on the national oasis heritage HUMAN EDEN

18 Capacity building for engineers in irrigation water saving techniques on parcel level

19 Capacity building for young graduates in oasis agrotourism

20 Exchange of experiences between local stakeholders of GIAHS in Tunisia (Gafsa) and Algeria (El Oued)

21 OFFICIAL RECOGNITION BY FAO OF THE HISTORIC OASIS OF GAFSA AS GIAHS

22 The Benefit-sharing Fund of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture Project cycle Window 1 STRATEGIC ACTION PLANS Project PR-355: Promotion of the Recognition of Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS)

23 Global objective: Put in place a strategy for the conservation and sustainable management of the biodiversity in the historic Gafsa Oasis

24 Capacity building for local and national stakeholders in strategy development for the integrated management of plant genetic resources and their adaptation to climate change

25 NATIONAL EVENTS TO DISCUSS THE PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES MANAGEMENT BY THE COMMUNITIES

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29 Capacity building for local and national stakeholders in climate change adaptation of oasis ecosystems 29

30 ANALYSIS OF THE LEGAL CONTEXT FOR THE CONSERVATION OF PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES OF OASIS ECOSYSTEMS Inventory and SWOT analysis of national and international legal instruments related to oasis plant genetic resources Proposition for the amendment of national and international legal texts related to oasis plant genetic resources in Tunisia

31 LAUNCHING OF THE NATIONAL NGO NETWORK FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF HISTORIC OASIS IN TUNISIA AND THE CONSERVATION OF THEIR HERITAGE

32 «Development and consolidation of Oasis Development Groups of women and youth of Gafsa for the support of income-generating activities through the promotion of oasis products and sub-products» Co-financed by the European Union I. Conservation of oasis genetic diversity II. Identification and promotion of local knowledge III. Economic and commercial promotion of oasis products

33 Presentation and discussion of young representatives of business sectors

34 Production of dried fruits Olive and olive oil production Production of oasis fruit juices Fruit tree nurseries Business sectors Weaving Composting Essential oils production

35 but many challenges still exist in oasis ecosystems that depend to a large extent on external aid which remains essential (financial means, technical support, capacity building of local stakeholders) 1. Fair and rational management of water resources in the oases 2. The motivation of agricultural development groups in the oases

36 3. The fight against phytosanitary problems in the oases 4. Strengthening of agricultural popularisation in the oases

37 6. Management of the farm lands in the oases 7. The fight against the land parcelling and agricultural urbanisation

38 THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION