FAO launches training on conservation agriculture and land management

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in coordination with the ministries of environment, agriculture and water resources launched on Monday the training on Conservation Agriculture and Land Management Practices, according to a press statement issued by the FAO.

31 government officers from Dhi Qar governorate attended the training and will deliver the gained knowledge to farmers, who will spearhead a farmer-to-farmer extension service delivery on Conservation Agriculture for Sustainable Land Management across the project locations, the statement elaborated.

The training sessions include roles and responsibilities of farmers’ field school trainers, criteria for selection and management of farming demonstration sites, principles of conservation agriculture, diagnosis and combating land degradation, climate smart agriculture, design and implementation of an action plan on rural participatory farmer- to-farmer extension service delivery, the statement explained.

During the workshop, FAO representative, Salah ElHajjHassan, underlined the importance of the farmers’ field school model developed by FAO in building extension officers and farmers’ skills to improve sustainable production while adapting to climate change impacts, the statement mention.

“The project will build upon and expand this model for the purposes of building local community capacity to engage in and support agro-ecological and conservation practices at the landscape level,” ElHajjHassan stated.  

FAO Technical team composed of national and international experts will continue delivering theoretical and field sessions during the next seven days for capacity building of the extension officers on conservation agriculture pillars, mechanisms, techniques, as well as planning and management skills, the statement added.