TUNISIA

HERBAL AND MEDICINAL PLANTS PROJECT (HMPP)

 

Supervision Mission

8-14 June 2003

 

Aide Memoire No. 2

 

1.       A mission, comprising Messrs. Scott Christiansen, International Program Leader and Mission Leader, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), Ibrahim Shaqir, International Affairs Specialist, Middle East and North Africa (USDA-ARS), Philipp Simon, Research Plant Geneticist (USDA-ARS), and Joyce Foster, Research Chemist (USDA-ARS), visited southern Tunisia from 8-14 June 2003 to supervise the Herbal and Medicinal Plants Project (HMPP).  Mr. Abdelkarim Sma, Agricultural Specialist from the U.S. Embassy in Tunis joined the mission at the beginning and end. He represented Regional Agricultural Attaché Carol M. (Merritt) Chesley (U.S Embassy, Rabat, Morocco – also serving Algeria and Tunisia). 

 

2.       The International Workshop on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants on 10 June 2003 was attended by approximately 150 participants, including Sadok Korbi, Secretary of State for Scientific Research, the Governor of Medénine Governorate, regional authorities from southern Tunisia, ICARDA, USDA/ARS and a cross-section of stakeholders from universities, national institutions, development agencies, non-governmental organizations, farmer unions, cooperatives, professional associations and private sector physicians, pharmacists, producers, laboratories and businesses concerned with essential oils, plant extracts, essences, cosmetics and pharmaceutical products.

 

3.       During last year’s Supervision Mission the project management requested that the project be operational from 1 March 2002 to 28 February 2004, which was approved by a letter dated 10 April 2002 signed by David Kincaid on behalf of Carol Kramer-LeBlanc, Director, Research and Scientific Exchanges Division, International Cooperation and Development, Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the USDA. The project is now requesting a no cost extension of activities until 31 December 2004.

 

4.       The mission worked closely on 11 June 2003 with Mssrs. Mohamed Neffati, HMPP Manager and Director of Research and Training, (Institut des Régions Arides [IRA]), Hoceine Khatteli, Director General (IRA), Mohamed El-Mourid (Coordinator, International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas, North African Regional Program [ICARDA/NARP]), project team members and stakeholders to review progress to date (Appendix 1), plan upcoming project activities (Appendix 2), and suggest recommendations for future work.

 

5.       The Project Steering Committee met on 12 June 2003 to assess (1) progress towards addressing the Steering Committee recommendations made during their first meeting on 28 December 2002; (2) conclusions from the International Workshop on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, (3) project accomplishments over the past year (Appendix 1), (4) work plans for the coming year (Appendix 2) and (5) options and the suggested schedule for scaling up to a development project in 2005 (Appendix 3). The Steering Committee approved the plan of work and the next steps for project development.

 

6.       Major recommendations of the Steering Committee (see member contacts in Appendix 5) were as follows:

·         The project was commended for its steady progress and achievements, its coordination and communication with stakeholders, the tripartite cooperation among IRA, USDA and ICARDA.

·         There was unanimity among the members of the Steering Committee to focus the activities of the project on three main species of interest within southern Tunisia. The choice of short-listed species should be verified through socio-economic studies and economic return. The project should yield a focused research-development pilot project that demonstrates the innovative and economic potential of herbal and medicinal plants.

·         A product chain approach should be implemented for the key species that takes into consideration conservation, sustainable field production, post harvest handling, transformation/processing, quality control, packaging, certification, regulation and marketing.

·         The Steering Committee recommended that IRA take leadership in research on herbal and medicinal plants and to work through research networks to coordinate, disseminate and communicate the results from other stakeholders.

·         It is suggested to seek out opportunities for regional collaboration where ICARDA and USDA take the lead.

·         The Steering Committee encourages the linkages with the USDA, with the view to transfer technology, develop human resources and to establish joint ventures.

 

7.       Some members of the mission traveled to Tunis from 12-14 June, visiting Dr. Mohamed El-Mourid and his staff at the ICARDA office who organized visits to the following institutes:

 

8.       Institution de Recherche et d’Enseignement Supérieur Agricole (IRESA) - The mission met President Abdelaziz Mougou and briefed him on the findings of the mission and progress towards granting plant collection access permission.  Dr. Mougou informed the mission that he is fully supportive of granting access for ARS; however, the Tunisian Under Secretary of Environment (Within the Ministry of Agriculture, Environment and Water Resources) is the responsible ministry for granting access for pant collection. Therefore, the permission will have to be granted by the Under Secretary of Environment; however, he does not anticipate any problems.  Dr. Mougou stressed the beneficial exchange of expertise and scientists with USA and would like to see more collaborative projects. He is interested in developing a proposal on cactus in Tunisia in collaboration with USDA/ARS or U.S. universities.

 

9.       Institut National de Recherche en Génie Rural, Eaux et Forêts (INRGREF) – The mission visited Director General Nejib Rejeb and discussed issues related to natural resource management and the potential to build up cooperation in the future. ARS, ICARDA, and INRGEF would like to cooperate in the following areas of mutual interest: treated wastewater and reuse in agriculture; water conservation and related technology; and water and soil salinity issues.  INRGREF will develop two concept notes on the use of saline water and wastewater reuse and quality. 

 

10.  Direction Générale de la Production Agricole( DGPA)  

The mission met with the Director of DGPA, Dr. Abderrazak  Daaloul, and briefed him on the outcomes of the Steering Committee Meeting and the mission’s findings.  The meeting was also attended by Mr. Bouhdida Mohamed, Director of Diversification in DGPA, Ms. Ben Rejeb Afaf from the Ministry of Agriculture, Department of International Cooperation and Dr. El Mourid from ICARDA. Dr. Daaloul supported the idea of developing the next project in the south and linking the effort to three existing development projects. His directorate will be willing to contribute its support. A meeting will be called between DGPA, Directorate of Funding and Professional Organizations (in charge of the three projects in the south), IRA and ICARDA to agree on next steps to start the proposal for the next project. He also informed the mission that the medicinal and aromatic plants are strategic for Tunisia within the theme on diversification that is a priority in the 10th Plan of Tunisia.   Dr. Daaloul expressed his interest in cooperating with ARS and ICARDA, and will submit a concept note for research on durum wheat resistance to pests and drought.  Dr. Daaloul will send the concept note by email to Dr. El Mourid and Irahim Shaqir.

 

11.   The mission is grateful to IRA, ICARDA and their staff in Medénine and Tunis, respectively for support and cooperation that permitted the mission to meet its goals in a short period of time. The aide-memoire reflects the background of the project, findings of the mission, and outlines jointly agreed upon next steps for implementation of activities designed to yield desired outputs.

 

12.    Project objectives: The overall objective of the project is to improve livelihoods in rural areas through sustainable use, conservation, management, and marketing of herbal and medicinal plants in southern Tunisia.  The project’s specific objectives are to:

(i)                  Conserve, manage, and sustainably use, both in situ and ex situ, medicinal, herbal and aromatic plants in arid and semi-arid areas;

(ii)                Institutionally strengthen collaborating partnerships to form a coalition of stakeholders, i.e. scientific research institutes, extension services, universities, NGOs, industry, etc. to add value to medicinal, herbal and aromatic plants through processing, chemical analysis and marketing;

(iii)               Improve public awareness of the importance of medicinal plants and build on traditional knowledge and cultural heritage;

(iv)              Prepare a national database on indigenous medicinal and herbal plants, starting with southern Tunisia, with a view to assess their use and status within key ecosystems.

(v)                Strengthen plant data base and disseminate research findings resulting from the project and progress in product development by a) development of a project website b) attendance of project scientists at national and international meetings, c) participation of project scientists in exchange visits and scientific capacity building efforts (e.g. graduate student and scientist postgraduate training) and d) publication of research results generated from the project in peer-reviewed scientific publications.

 

13.   Project description: The HMPP will permit project participants to test and validate widely agreed-upon activities for commercialization and conservation of several key species, i.e. allium, caper, rosemary and artemisia and a longer list of 10 or so species that will be developed as “pipeline” or model species for future work.  In addition to developing practical models of plant exploitation, the project will conduct an analysis of the herbal and medicinal plant sector and develop a consortium of stakeholders to define constraints and market opportunities. The current phase would last until the end of 2004 (if an extension from 1 Mar 2003 is granted) and be supported by U.S. owned Tunisian Dinars (PL480 Section 108-f); however, the effort is expected to continue as an independently funded development project lasting five years.  Current and future project activities will be organized according to the following components:

 

14.   Component 1:  Socioeconomic analyses.  The project will provide for a social, economic, and market analysis at the international, national and local level. The project team agreed to summarize existing information and analyze current consumption and use, farming systems and marketing channels for producing and selling herbal and medicinal plants.  In addition, IRA scientists will assemble and present GIS layers to characterize the climate (temperature, precipitation), soils, topography, land tenure, demography and farming systems in the target areas selected for the project. 

 

15.   Component 2: Genetic resources management.   (a) Collect and conserve herbal and medicinal plants by means of both ex-situ (short-term, long-term, black box) and in-situ methods for plant genetic resource conservation; (b) Develop a database modeled after the USDA-ARS Genetic Resource Information System (GRIN), and (c) Multiply and distribute plant materials that will enable them to be tested in practical systems of production and to be used by researchers, (d) Evaluate genetic diversity of selected herbal and medicinal plants in the region to establish a database for long term monitoring of diversity and genetic erosion.  GIS layers will characterize the collection missions to date, including collection sites and frequency of the herbal and medicinal target species found within the relevant phyto-geographical zones.  Tables 1 and 2 show relevant species of interest in Tunisia and the list of plants that will be treated more extensively by the project.

 

16.   Component 3: Institutional assessment and project partnership arrangements.  The project will include participation of partners for the following functions: (a) project management and research (IRA); (b) agricultural association(s) that represent farmers (UTAP); (c) extension agencies (CFRA, CRDA, IRA) (d) plant and food science institutions; (e) pharmacists and other health professionals from the university and private sector (f) marketers and exporters from the private sector; and (g) development agencies. Table 3 attempts to more objectively describe the relative level of involvement from stakeholders up to the present time.

 

17.   Component 4: Systems of production.  For each of the target species, from each of the land tenure categories (i.e. private, common and state lands) the project will provide for: (a) agronomic research and extension (bulletins, farm notes, fiche techniques); (b) extension ‘packages’ for product development and marketing of the target species (collaboration with food scientists, chemists, vegetable wholesalers for fresh or dry plant materials); and (c) conservation for each of the species (inventory, in-situ and ex-situ monitoring, collection, multiplication).

 

18.   Component 5: Training and regional cooperation. The project will provide (a) training to meet project objectives, (b) country-to- country exchange of experience; (c) workshops focusing on special issues; and (d) coordination, planning and reporting meetings.

 

19.   Component 6: Project Management.  A Project Management Unit (PMU) will be established to provide for: (a) planning, implementation and reporting; (b) financial management; (c) coordination among the stakeholders (d) a periodic gathering of the Steering Committee members which will be composed of members from IRA (Director General and Project Manager), ICARDA (NARP Regional Coordinator), USDA (International Program Leader, Office of International Research Programs), and additional delegates from Tunisia (Appendix 5).

 

20.   Project cost and financing:  The total project cost is estimated at about USD $250,000 (TD 371,500). Approximately half the funds remain as of 1 May 2003, distributed as follows: IRA – TD127,359; ICARDA – TD 50,781; ARS – TD 51,426. A budget reallocation will be requested to match the needs of the new plan of work, to be submitted separately through USDA-ARS to FAS-ICD-RSED by 1 July 2003. Throughout the cooperation, each project partner will attempt to bring additional resources to the project, which shall be brought to the attention of and approved by the Steering Committee.

 

21.    Next phase of the project: A project will be prepared by linking to three development projects in southern Tunisia that will finance the production components of herbal and medicinal plants complemented by a request of USD$5 million from GEF to address conservation, institution and capacity building, understanding of indigenous knowledge and elements of the national strategy for herbal and medicinal plants.

 

22.   List of acronyms: Appendix 4

 

23.   Contacts and addresses: Appendix 5.

 


Table 1: Biodiversity in Tunisia: native and exotic plant species of relevance to production and conservation aspects of the project.

 


o  Acacia raddiana

o  Ajuga iva (L.) Scherb.

o  Agropyrum repens

o  Allium cepa L.

o  Allium porrum L.

o  Allium roseum L.

o  Allium sativum L.

o  Aloe vera L.

o  Ammi visnaga (L) Lam

o  Amygdalus communis

o  Anacyclus clavatus (Desf.) Pers.

o  Anagyris foetida L.

o  Anethum graveolens L.

o  Anthriscus silvestris Hoffm.

o  Apium gravelens L.

o  Arbutus unedo L.

o  Arisarum vulgare Targ - Tozz

o  Artemisia absinthium L.

o  Artemisia herba alba Asso.

o  Artemisia campestris L.

o  Artemisia arborescens L.

o  Artemisia vulgaris

o  Arthrophytum schimittianum (Opm) Maire et Weill.

o  Arthrophutum scoparium (Pom) Iljin

o  Arundo donax L.

o  Asparagus officinalis L.

o  Asphodelus microcarpus Viv

o  Asteriscus pygmaeus Coss

o  Astragalus armatus Willd

o  Atractylis gummifer L.

o  Atriplex halimus

o  Avena sativa L.

o  Beta vulgaris L.

o  Borago officinalis

o  Brassica napus L.

o  Brassica oleracea L.

o  Calendula arvensis L.

o  Calycotme villosa Link

o  Capparis spinosa L.

o  Capsella bursa Pastoris

o  Capsicum annuum L.

o  Carthamus tinctorius L.

o  Carum carvi L.

o  Centaurea calcitrapa L.

o  Centaurium umbellatum (Gilib.) Beck

o  Ceratonia siliqua L.

o  Chenopodium ambrosioides L.

o  Chenopodium murale L.

o  Cicer arietimum L.

o  Cichorium inthybus L.

o  Cinnamomum zeylanicum

o  Citrullus colocynthus (L.) Schrader

o  Citrus limon L.

o  Citrus medica var vulgaris

o  Cistus monspelliensis L.

o  Citrus aurantium var amara

o  Citrus paradisi Macfad yen

o  Cleome arabica L.

o  Clematis flammula L.

o  Convolvulus arvensis

o  Coriandrum sativum L.

o  Crataegus azarolus L. (Syn. : Crataegus ruscinonensis Gren. et Blanc)

o  Crataegus oxyacanthus L.

o  Cucumus sativus L.

o  Cucurbuta pepo L.

o  Cuminum cyminum L.

o  Cupressus cympervirens

o  Cydonia vulgaris Persoon

o  Cynara cardunculus L.

o  Cynara scolymus L.

o  Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers

o  Cynomorium coccineum L.

o  Cytinus hypocistis L.

o  Datura metel L.

o  Datura stramonium L.

o  Daucus carota L. ssp sativus (Hoffm) Arcangeli

o  Diplotaxis harra (Forsk.) Boiss

o  Ecbalium elaterium (L.) Richard

o  Echinops spinosis Tarra

o  Ephedra alata ssp.

o  Erica arborea L.

o  Erica multiflora L.

o  Erigeron canadensisi L.

o  Erodium cicutarium (L.) L'Hérit.

o  Ervum lens L.

o  Eucalyptus globulus

o  Euphorbia calyptrata Coss. et DR

o  Euphorbia helioscopia L.

o  Ferula communis L.

o  Ficus carica L

o  Foeniculum vulgare Mill

o  Fumaria capreolata L.

o  Fumaria officinalis

o  Geranium robertianum L.

o  Globularia alypum L

o  Glycyrrhiza glabra L

o  Heliantus annus L

o  Hordeum vulgare L.

o  Hypericum perforatum L.

o  Hyoscyamus albus L.

o  Jasminum fruticans

o  Juglans regia L.

o  Juncus sp

o  Juniperus communis

o  Juniperus oxycedrus L.

o  Juniperus phoenicea L.

o  Lactuca sativa  L.

o  Laurus nobilis  L.

o  Lavandula officinalis  L.

o  Lavandula multifida  L.

o  Lavandula Stoechas L.

o  Lawsonia inermis  L.

o  Lepidium sativum L.

o  Linum usitatissimum L.

o  Lycium europaeum L.

o  Malva sylvestris L.

o  Mandrogora  autumnalis Bertl

o  Marrubium vulgare L.

o  Matricaria chamomilla

o  Medicago sativa L.

o  Meliloutus officinalis (L) Pallas

o  Melissa officinalis

o  Mentha piperita

o  Mentha pulegium

o  Mentha rotundifolia L.

o  Mentha spicata L.

o  Mercurialis annua L.

o  Mespilus germanica L.

o  Myrtus communis L.

o  Nerium oleander L.

o  Nicotiana gluaca R.C Garham

o  Nigelle damascena

o  Nigella Sativa L.

o  Olea europaea L.

o  Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.

o  Orchis L sp

o  Origanum glandilosum Desf

o  Origanum majorana L.

o  Ocimum basilicum L.

o  Papaver rhoeas L.

o  Parietaria officinalis L.

o  Peganum harmala L.

o  Pergularia tomentosa L.

o  Periploca laevigata Aiton

o  Petroselinum crispum (Miller) A.W.Hill

o  Petroselinum sativum

o  Petroselinum crispum (Miller) A.W.Hill

o  Petroselinum sativum

o  Pinpinella anisum L.

o  Pinus halepensis Miller

o  Pinus pinaster Soland

o  Pinus sylvestris

o  Pistacia atlantica Desf

o  Pistacia lentiscus L.

o  Pistacia terebinthus L.

o  Pituranthos scoparius Benthma - Hooker

o  Plantago albicans L

o  Polygonum equisetiforme sbith.sm

o  Portulaca oleracea L.

o  Prunus amygdalus batsh

o  Prunus persica (L) batsh

o  Pteridium aquilinum (L) khm

o  Punica granatum L

o  Quercus coccifera L

o  Quercus ilex L.

o  Quercus suber L

o  Retama raetam webb

o  Reseda alba L

o  Rhamnus alatermus L.

o  Rhus oxyacantha L.

o  Rhus tripartitum(Ucria) D.C

o  Ricinus communis L.

o  Rosa canina L.

o  Rosa gallica

o  Rosmarinus officinalis L.

o  Rubia tinctorium L.

o  Rubus ulmifolius Schott

o  Ruscus aculeatus L.

o  Ruta chalepensis L.

o  Ruta Montana L.

o  Salvia officinalis

o  Salvia sclarea

o  Sambucus nigra L.

o  Satureja montana

o  Scorzonera undulata Vahl

o  Sesamum indicum De Candolle

o  Silybum marianum (L.) Gartner

o  Smilax aspera L.

o  Solanum nigrum L.

o  Solanum sodomeum L.

o  Solanum tuberosum L.

o  Sonchus oleraceus L.

o  Suaeda mollis (Desf)

o  Tamarix gallica L.

o  Teucrium polium L.

o  Thymelea microphylla Coss. et Dur.

o  Thymus capitatus (L.) Hoffm. et Link.

o  Thymus hirtus willd ssp algeriensis Boiss et Rout

o  Thymus serpylium

o  Thymus vulgaris

o  Trigonella foenum graecum L.

o  Urginea maritima (L.) Bak

o  Urtica dioica L.

o  Urtica sp

o  Vaccinum myrtullus L.

o  Verbascum sinuatum L.

o  Vicia faba L. (Syn. : Faba vulgaris Moench).

o  Viola odorata

o  Vitis vinifera L.

o  Zea mays L.

o  Ziziphus lotus (L.) Desf

o  Zygophyllum cornutum Coss.


 

 

Table 2: List of species with high priority for the project

 

Scientific name

Research by IRA

Economic interest in the project zone: Matmata Mts.

National interest (export)

Allium roseum L.

x

x

 

Artemisia herba alba Asso. (1)

x

x

x

Artemisia campestris L.

x

 

 

Capparis spinosa L.

x

x

x

Ephedra alata ssp.

x

 

 

Globularia alypum L

x

 

 

Juniperus phoenicea L.

x

x

 

Laurus nobilis  L.

 

 

x

Matricaria chamomilla

x

 

 

Myrtus communis L.

 

 

x

Periploca laevigata Aiton

x

x

 

Pistacia atlantica Desf

x

 

 

Rhus tripartitum(Ucria) D.C

x

x

 

Rosmarinus officinalis L.

x

x

x

Ruta chalepensis L.

 

x

 

Thymus capitatus (L.) Hoffm. et Link.

x

x

x

Thymus vulgaris

x

x

x

 

(1) Protected by national law because of its overexploitation and genetic erosion


Table 3: Contribution of stakeholders in the project – Codes: (PM) Contribution to preparation of meetings; (I) Provided information or documentation; (AM) Attendance at meetings; (M) Participation on missions; (T) Contribution to training at IRA; (R) Conduct of research; (S) Studies of local, national and international projects on HMP; (C) Collection of germplasm.

 

Partners

Type of activity

PM

I

AM

M

T

R

S

C

Faculties and                Institutes of Research

FS Gafsa 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

FS Gabès 

 

 

X

 

X

 

 

 

FS Monastir

 

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

FS Tunis

 

 

X

 

X

 

 

 

FP Monastir 

 

 

X

X

 

 

 

 

FM Monastir 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ESHE Chott Meriem 

X

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

ESA Kef

 

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

INSAT

 

 

X

 

X

X

 

 

I SB Monastir 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

INAT 

X

X

X

 

X

X

 

 

INRAT 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INREGREF 

 

 

X

X

 

X

 

X

INRAP 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

INRST

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Development Agencies

Central Offices

DGPA

 

X

X

 

 

 

X

 

DGF

 

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

BNG

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

APIA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AVFA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ONAGRI

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CEPEX

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regional Offices

 

CRDA

 

 

X

 

 

 

X

 

CFRA

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

Offices

(ODS)

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

NGOs

 

 

AJZ

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

X

 

ACRP Beni Khédache

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

ADD  Beni Khédache

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

APB Beni Khédache

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

X

A M T Tataouine

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

ADPPCC  Tamezret

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASNAPED Douiret

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

APM Hammem –Soussse

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASO Chénini

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Socio-professional Organisations

UTAP

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

Coopérative de néroli –Nabeul

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GICA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chambre Syndicale des producteurs d’huiles essentielles

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Donors

Banques (BNA)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fond de promotion de l’emploi 21-21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Organismes internationaux (FIDA, Banque Mondiale, GEF…)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Industry, Labs and Private Sector Businesses

IDEAL FOOD

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

KAMY

 CERINA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ajennet Tounes 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

AROMAT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCHEDAN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KIPROFA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SAPIA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Businessmen and Exporters

Société internationale import export et commerce internationale

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

Société Bouselmi export

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pharmacists and Physicians

AMOR Kamel 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

GODCHA Mohamed 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

SAIDI Salaheddine 

 

 

 

X

X

 

 

 

 

Herbalists

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

Appendix 1. List of Acronymns

 

ACRP Association de Conservation et de Réhabilitation du patrimoine Beni Khédache

ADD Association du Développement Durable de Beni Khédache

ADPPCC Association du Développement et de la Protection du Patrimoine Culturel et Cultural de la région de Tamezret

AJZ Association de Jeunes de Zammour

AMT Association Mémoire de la Terre Tataouine

APB Association de Préservation de la Biodiversité -Beni Khédache

APIA Agence de Promotion des Investissements Agricoles

APM Association de plantes médicinales à Hammem –Soussse

ARS Agricultural Research Service (USDA)

ASO Association de Sauvegarde de l’Oasis de Chénini

ASNAPED Association Sauvegarde de la nature et de Protection de l’environnement à Douiret

AVFA Agence de la Vulgarisation et de la Formation Agricoles

BNA Banque Nationale Agricole

BNG Banque Nationale de Gènes 

CEPEX Centre de Promotion d’Exportations

CFRA Centre de formation et de Recyclage Agricole

CRDA Commissariat Régionale de Développement Agricole

DGF Direction Générale des Forêts

DGPA Direction Générale de la Production Agricole

ESA Ecole Supérieure d’Agriculture

ESHE Ecole Supérieure d’Horticulture et d’Elevage

FM Faculté de Médecine

FP Faculté de pharmacie

FS Faculté de sciences

GEF Global Environment Facility

GICA Groupement des Industries de Conserves Alimentaires

GIS Geographic Information System

GRIN Genetic Resource Information Network (USDA-ARS)

HMPP Herbal and Medicinal Plants Project

ICARDA International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas

ICD International Cooperation and Development (USDA)

INAT Institut National Agronomique de Tunisie 

INRAP Institut  National de Recherche et d’Analyses Physico-chimiques 

INRGREF Institut National de Recherche en Génie Rural, Eaux et Forêts 

INRAT Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique de Tunisie

INRST Institut National de Recherche Scientifique et Technique

INSAT Institut Supérieur des Sciences Appliqués et des Technologies

IRA Institut des Régions Arides

IRESA Institution de Recherche et d’Enseignement Supérieur Agricole

ISB Institut Supérieur de Biotechnologie 

IUCN International Union for the Conservation of Nature

MAERH Ministère de l'Agriculture, de l’Environnement et Ressources Hydrauliques

MEDUSA Conservation and Sustainable Use of Wild Plants of the Mediterranean Region (Network)

NAL National Agricultural Library

NARP North Africa Regional Program (ICARDA)

NPLG National Plant Germplasm Laboratory (USDA-ARS)

ODS Office de Développement de Sud

OIRP Office of International Research Programs (USDA-ARS)

ONAGRI Observatoire Nationale de l’Agriculture

ONG Organisations non gouvernementales

PAD Project Appraisal Document

PDF-A Project Development Facility Block A Grant (GEF)

PMU Project Management Unit

RSED Research and Scientific Exchange Division (USDA-FAS-ICD)

TD Tunisian Dinars

TOR Terms of Reference

USD U.S. Dollars

USDA United States Department of Agriculture

UTAP Union Tunisienne pour l’Agriculture et la Pêche

 

 

Appendix 1: Assessment of last year’s Next Steps

 

Action

Comments

1)      Confirm short- and long-list of target species

Keep the existing list but open the list by taking into account the results of the national economic study and the socio-economic findings. Provide an updated list with global conservation needs (Tables 1 and 2) with a comment that the list will be modified/localized/regionalized based on inputs after circulation. Step 1: Table 2 will be distributed to stakeholders. Step 2: Decide on national priorities for the development project. Step 3: Implement actions in the GEF project.

2)      Develop justification and 1 paragraph abstract for all stakeholders

The project has made good progress on assembling a national inventory of the sector. Table 3 documents the relative level of inputs to the project contributed by interested organizations (as information or research results).

3)      Provide fiche techniques for the model plants

Rosemary and caper are completed; Artemisia herba-alba; Allium roseum (limited information available); and Juniperus phoenicia will be completed by Nov 2003.

4)      Visit relevant activities in the north of Tunisia

Project team visited universities (Le Kef, Monastir), private companies (Vergers de Ouzra), national research institutes (INAT, INRAT) and development agencies (DGF, DGPA).

5)      Local studies

Fully accomplished; report by 15 Sep 2003; Glossy report by 15 Dec 2003. Create and submit a contribution to ICARDA’s Caravan.

6)      National studies

Fully accomplished and report received; Glossy report by 15 Dec 2003

7)      International studies

Journal article combining the two reports above. Christiansen and Simon will help to organize a journal paper.  International study: Shaqir to provide terms of reference for the international marketing study. El-Mourid will provide a relevant paper he is aware of from Jordan that will serve as an example.

8)      Order capital equipment

Mitsubishi Pajero, laptop and projector purchased in 2002.