Dr. Nizar Haddad, the Director General of NARC hosted a delegation from the European Union as representives for the project of non-conventional water re-use in agriculture in Mediterranean countries (MENAWARA) which was launched in Tunisia earlier this month. The delegated guests were Dr. Rola Khadra from Bari Institute in Italy and Dr. Khaled Fahd from CENTA Institute for Modern Water Technology in Spain, to discuss cooperation within the framework of the project funded by the European Union and to form the road map of the project.
Haddad said this active partnership with the European Union would develop water quality so that it can be used in an environmentally safe manner as a start. "Implementing applied experiments using different methods of irrigation on alfalfa will follow, to monitor the impact of water resulting from stations on the quality and quantity of production and its impact on soil, and to direct workers about the necessity to follow general safety instructions". He added.
Haddad asserted that this partnership with the European Union is moving forward in the right direction and it is implemented in several vital areas that improve irrigation efficiency and recycled agricultural wastewater, in addition to setting operational governance models that are in line with national and international plans and social integration to enhance the capacity of government institutions and non-governmental actors working in this sector.
Dr. Naem Mazahrih, Assistant Director General for Research and Project Coordinator, said that the visit included a field tour to Ramtha Research Station, and a meeting with a number of farmers took place to listen to the challenges they face when using treated water. In order to learn about the technical capabilities of NARC, the delegation had a tour across the research laboratories of NARC, and held a coordination meeting to discuss the projections of the future stage of the project.