Agriculture Research & Extension Authority concludes the training of 30 personnel in the field of seed quality and post-harvest treatment techniques.

Thursday, 4th Rabi Al-Akhir 1445 AH, corresponding to October 19, 2023

Dhamar - Saba:

Today, the training workshop for trainers in the field of "Seed Quality, Post-Harvest Treatment Techniques, and Seed Conservation in Community Seed Banks" concluded at the National Agricultural Training Center of the General Authority for Agricultural Research and Extension in Dhamar.

The workshop, organized by the General Authority for Agricultural Research and Extension in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations through the project "Response to Enhancing Food Security in Yemen," funded by the World Bank Group, was attended by 30 participants representing the General Authority for Agricultural Research and Extension, its affiliated research stations and centers, as well as researchers and development experts from the Bonyan Foundation in the provinces of Hajjah, Al-Hudaydah, Al-Mahwit, Amran, and Taiz.

Over the course of five days, the workshop discussed optimal agricultural practices for producing good-quality seeds, post-harvest treatment techniques, seed quality evaluation, seed packaging and storage, pest control in storage facilities, and methods for collecting and preserving genetic resources and community seed banks.

During the closing session, Dr. Abid Al-Bail, Deputy Chairman of the General Authority for Agricultural Research and Extension, emphasized the importance of the training workshop in equipping participants with seed preservation and treatment skills, noting that the workshop aligns with the revolutionary and political leadership's vision of creating a productive seed society. He highlighted that public institutions involved in agricultural seed production cannot meet the seed needs of farmers in various agricultural regions and fulfill the efforts aimed at expanding agricultural production towards achieving self-sufficiency and food security.

Dr. Abid encouraged the trainees to transfer the knowledge and information they acquired to farmers, contributing to the advancement of agricultural activities. He also emphasized the importance of translating the project's tasks into practical reality in seed production and the application of agricultural techniques.

Furthermore, Dr. Amin Yahya Rajeh, Director of the National Agricultural Training Center, stated that the workshop provided participants with knowledge and information about post-harvest techniques, including preparation, drying, sieving, packaging, quality testing, analysis, purification, and effective storage of seeds. Participants also learned about agricultural practices for producing high-quality seeds, criteria for selecting seed bank locations and their specifications, as well as integrated management for controlling pests in storage facilities, with the aim of improving seed quality and increasing crop productivity.

Dr. Mu'in Al-Jarmouni, a representative from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), highlighted the importance of the workshop as one of the significant training sessions related to establishing seed banks, considering the vital role of seed quality in the agricultural production process. He emphasized that the project will establish 11 seed banks in targeted areas, and the trainees will play a fundamental and effective role in transferring their experiences to farmers regarding the organization and management of community seed banks.

He further emphasized that the project aligns with the objectives of achieving food security and self-sufficiency.

Eng. Shamsan Al-Muniri, in his speech on behalf of the participants, expressed their readiness to transfer the knowledge, experiences, and skills they gained to farmers to achieve the desired goal of the project in moving towards self-sufficiency, reducing import bills, and achieving sustainable development. He highlighted that the trainees received methodological information and knowledge about collecting and preserving local genetic resources through community seed banks, as well as modern techniques and practices for preserving genetic resources and managing community seed banks.

The closing session was attended by Dr. Hassan Al-Khawlani, Director of the Research Sector at the General Authority for Agricultural Research and Extension, Eng. Ahmed Latif, the project coordinator, and the workshop trainers, Eng. Shams Al-Din Al-Muntasir and Eng. Mohammed Abdo Ali.

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