July 29-31, 2024
AARINENA, represented by its Executive Secretary, Dr. Rida Shibli, attended the first annual meeting of the Arab Forum for Rural Advisory Services (AFRAS), organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services. Dr. Shibli participated in a panel discussion on AARINENA’s role in agricultural innovation development, where a poster on the Olive Innovation Platform, launched at the end of June this year, was presented.
The three-day meeting gathered over 70 members of the AFRAS community, including leaders, policymakers, agricultural extension service providers, and rural advisory consultants from across the Arab region. Participants exchanged knowledge about the state of rural advisory systems in the region from an innovation perspective in policies and practices, and discussed how to engage communities in implementing the forum’s tasks at both regional and national levels.
In his opening speech, Mr. Ahmed Mokhtar, Senior Economist at FAO, stated, “The forum exemplifies collective action to enhance agricultural extension and rural advisory services across the Arab region. It provides an opportunity for advocates, policymakers, and practitioners in agricultural extension and rural advisory services to meet, discuss, innovate, and co-create, making these services more effective, sustainable, and inclusive.”
Mohamed Abdel Qader, Director of the Near East, North Africa, and Europe Division at IFAD, emphasized, “As a principal partner to AFRAS, IFAD is committed to supporting the innovative and inclusive approaches adopted by the forum, sharing its vision of building resilient rural communities through agricultural extension and advisory services. This vision aligns perfectly with IFAD’s mission to enable people to overcome poverty.”
Agricultural extension and rural advisory services play a crucial role in empowering farmers to address production and marketing challenges, thereby enhancing rural livelihoods and reducing poverty. These services encompass a wide range of market-oriented services that enable smallholders to increase their productivity, manage their farms sustainably, and make informed decisions to transition towards “farming as a business.” The strategic importance of regional networks lies in advocating for rural agricultural services, contributing to their modernization and support as they play a central role in transforming rural and agricultural food systems.
HRH Princess Basma bint Ali, founder of the Royal Botanic Garden and FAO Goodwill Ambassador for the Near East and North Africa, remarked, “Rural extension services play a vital role in promoting sustainable development by transferring knowledge and technology to farmers, improving agricultural productivity, enhancing food security, and raising living standards in rural areas.” She added, “The role of women in agriculture and rural development is equally important as that of men. Women in rural areas are the primary agricultural workers and support families and communities. Therefore, we must ensure that women have access to the opportunities and resources necessary to perform their roles efficiently and effectively.”
Mai Hani, Senior Programs Manager at FAO, noted, “The first annual meeting of AFRAS is a significant milestone for the forum community, providing opportunities for exchange, networking, and learning among participants. For example, officially designated contact points in the forum from Ministries of Agriculture across the region will present and discuss their country’s service systems, offering a unique opportunity to reflect on common challenges, good practices, and potential collaboration.”
Karl Larsen, Executive Director of the Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services, stated, “The Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services is committed to supporting AFRAS by connecting this community to other global networks, facilitating the exchange of information, knowledge, and best practices. Through this collaboration, AFRAS can leverage international expertise to modernize rural advisory services, enhance effective policy dialogue, and accelerate transformation in rural areas.”
The meeting also features an exhibition of posters highlighting outstanding experiences, good practices, and innovative solutions on the theme “Innovation in Policies and Practices for Modernizing Rural Advisory Services in Arab Countries.” The exhibition is organized by AFRAS community members working in research organizations, NGOs, cooperatives, and regional and international organizations.