INVITATION

Welcome to the international workshop on good agricultural practices (gap) for greenhouse vegetable production in the Mediterranean region It is with great pleasure that the organizing committee for the workshop on "Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) in greenhouses of horticultural product in the Mediterranean region" welcomes registrations from anyone involved in research, teaching, and public/private services related to production and post production of horticulture crops in protected cultivation to attend this workshop. The proposed workshop is to be held in Amman –Jordan during the time period from December 9 to 12, 2012, and sponsored by the National Center for Agricultural Research and Extension (NCARE), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, and the International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS) represented by the Commission Protected Cultivation. The workshop would constitute an opportunity for participants to share up-to-date information on different aspects of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for greenhouse vegetable production in the Mediterranean region. Looking forward to seeing you in Amman.

OBJECTIVES

Over the last years, Near East and North Africa countries (NENA) adjacent to the Mediterranean Sea region have developed a sizeable greenhouse industry, and became increasingly competitive producers of greenhouse vegetables. During the last decade, there has been a revolution in greenhouse production technology in terms of type of greenhouse, quality of the plastic cover, fertigation, plastic mulch, new high-yield hybrids and varieties, specific pesticides, soil solarization, etc. However, greenhouse crop sector in this region is characterized by a predominance of small-scale farmers who produce a large range of horticultural crops for local consumption and export. The purpose of this workshop is to bring together researchers from various disciplines of protected horticulture, extension agents, policy makers and other relevant horticultural sector bodies to discuss appropriate solutions to address problems facing the protected horticulture industry in production and post production areas in these countries, and identify common research agenda for greenhouse crop production.

ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

Al-Sheyab F., Jordan

Castilla N. - Spain

Baudoin W. FAO- Italy

NonoWomdim, R., FAO- Italy

Qaryouti M., Jordan

Rawashde M., Jordan

Abdel Wali M., - Jordan

Abu Bakker S., Jordan

CONVENERS

Al-Sheyab F., Director General of NCARE

Qaryouti M., Horticulture Research Department.  NCARE

P.O.Box 639, Amman- Baqa’ 19381, Jordan:

Phone: + 962 6 4725071, +962 777497876, Fax.+962 6 742 6099,

E-mail: qaryouti@ncare.gov.jo. Web: www.ncare.gov.jo

Workshop E-mail: GAP-greenhousevegetables@ncare.gov.jo

PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS

For registration fees payment, kindly refer to NCARE’s bank details indicated below:

TECHNICAL VISIT

Technical visit will be organized to Jordan Valley region, which is considered as the most productive area in Jordan for greenhouse vegetables. This region is characterized by several degrees warmer than adjacent areas, its year-round agricultural climate, fertile soils and water supply have made the Jordan Valley a key agricultural area. Produce from the valley is being exported to neighboring countries. In the last few decades, modern methods of farming have vastly expanded the agricultural output of the area. The construction of the East Ghor Canal by Jordan in 1950s (now known as the King Abdullah Canal), which runs down the east bank of the Jordan Valley for 69 kilometers has brought new areas under irrigation. The introduction of portable greenhouses has brought about a sevenfold increase in productivity, allowing Jordan to export large amounts of fruit and vegetables year-round.

OPTIONAL TOUR VISIT TO PETRA

Petra is the treasure of ancient world, hidden behind an almost impenetrable barrier of rugged mountains, boasting incomparable scenes that make it the most majestic and imposing ancient site still-standing nowadays.. It has been said "perhaps there is nothing in the world that resembles it", actually, for sure, there is nothing in the world that resembles it. The rock-carved rose-red city of Petra is full of mysterious charm, it was "designed to strike wonder into all who entered it".

Petra is considered the most famous and gorgeous site in Jordan, located about 262 km south of Amman and 133 km north of Aqaba. It is the legacy of the Nabataeans, an industrious Arab people who settled in southern Jordan more than 2000 years ago. Admired then for its refined culture, massive architecture and ingenious complex of dams and water channels, Petra is now a UNESCO world heritage site and one of  The New 7th  wonders of the world that enchants visitors from all corners of the globe.

The approach through a kilometer long, cool, and gloom chasm (or Siq) a long narrow gorge whose steeply rising sides all but obliterate the sun, provides a dramatic contrast with the magic to come. Suddenly the gorge opens into a natural square dominated by Petra's most famous monument, The Treasury (El-Khazneh), who's intricately carved facade glows in the dazzling sun.

The cost for the tour visit is 80 $ per person (Transportation, Petra entrance fees, and lunch).