Sep 3, 2024
On Tuesday, September 3, 2024, the Association of Agricultural Research Institutions in the Near East and North Africa (AARINENA), in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), hosted a regional webinar aimed at raising awareness about the Agricultural Science and Technology Indicators (ASTI) project. This webinar engaged key stakeholders from the National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) of the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region.
The ASTI project, a global initiative led by the FAO, collected and analyzed data on agricultural research and development (R&D) investments and capacity, providing critical insights for decision-makers. The goal of the webinar was to foster understanding and engagement in the NENA region by introducing new data collection models and methodologies that would enhance the accuracy and relevance of agricultural research metrics.
In addition to raising awareness about the ASTI project, the webinar also highlighted:
- New data collection models and methodologies tailored to the NENA region.
- Lessons learned from pilot projects that successfully implemented these models.
- Key insights into how ASTI data can inform national policies and strategies to improve agricultural research and innovation.
The event was a key opportunity for NARS stakeholders to learn about the latest advancements in agricultural research data collection, and to share experiences that could drive future collaborations and innovation in the NENA region.