Agricultural Research Knowledge
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11766/187
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- Monitoring of Soil Moisture Influenced by Crop Choice and Management Practice in Morocco’s Rainfed Drylands Using Sentinel-1 SAR Timeseries DataDate: 2025-01-01Type: ThesisStatus: Open accessSoil moisture is essential for the long term viability of rainfed agriculture, especially in semi-arid regions like Morocco where about 80% of farmland relies on rainfall. Climate change and poor agriculture practice puts soil moisture content at risk, negatively impacting crop yields and food security. This study used Sentinel-1 Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data to monitor soil moisture, which varies based on the type of crops grown, and the tillage systems used in Morocco’s rainfed agriculture regions, using a change detection method. The study utilized the Dual- Polarization Radar Vegetation Index (DpRVIc) to effectively mitigate the influence of vegetation, and estimate accurate soil moisture in no-tillage and conventional tillage systems over three consecutive cropping period from December 2018 to December 2021. The model showed strong performance, with a correlation coefficient (r) equals to 0.75 and a Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 0.095 m3 m−3, confirming model effectiveness in the study area. The study further reveled that, average soil moisture was consistently higher in NT equals to (0.152 m3 m−3) than under CT (0.130 m3 m−3). The study also preformed 2-way ANOVA statistical analysis to further investigate the importance of the interaction between tillage systems and the crop types and how it influence the dynamics of soil moisture. The result indicated an F(3,568) = 48.94, p < 0.001, underscoring proper selection of crops under NT practice, can significantly increase the level of soil moisture. As a result, choosing crops strategically can help retain soil moisture and ultimately enhance water efficiency and crop productivity in no-tillage system.
- Adoption and Impacts of an Improved Wheat Technology Package in EgyptAuthor(s): Bishaw, Zewdie; Imtiaz, Muhammad; Dessalegn, Bezaiet; Yigezu, YigezuDate: 2025-12-12Type: Working PaperStatus: Timeless limited accessThis study aimed to provide an analysis of the adoption and impacts of agricultural technologies on Egyptian smallholders. The double hurdle and instrumental variables regression models were applied to a large nationally representative sample survey of over 1,200 households to identify the factors that affect farmers’ adoption decision and impacts, respectively. Model results showed that the degree of adoption of one or more or all components of the technology package was higher in the governorates affiliated with the project than in the other governorates, which clearly reflects the effectiveness of the dissemination methods used as well as the technology package provided to farmers. The high adoption in the second year also indicates the momentum gained. The results also indicated that the typical adopter of improved wheat varieties obtained 359 kg and 1770 EGP more yield and income per fedan than non-adopters while adoption of crop rotation led to gains of 306 kg yield and 1310 EGP income per fedan. Likewise, adoption of raised bed technology increased farmers’ yield and net income by about 229 kg and 1180 EGP per fedan, respectively. Among all combinations of the different technology components, adoption of all three components of the technology package led to yield and income gains of about 481 kg and 2360 EGP per fedan, respectively, which indicates complementarity between the components. Policy and institutional implications of our results is that Egypt can benefit more from investing more on technology development, enhancing the seed sector efficiency, and adoption of more effective agricultural extension service delivery systems.
- Consolidated Responses to the Governance Assessment ToolAuthor(s): Nidkazza, ZakariaDate: 2025-12-23Type: Internal ReportStatus: Open accessConsolidated Responses to the Governance Assessment Tool for Morocco, Algeria, Lebanon, Italy, Croatia.
- D4.1.3 Each cooperative incorporates the preferred revision of governance practicesAuthor(s): Nidkazza, ZakariaDate: 2025-12-23Type: Internal ReportStatus: Open accessThis report presents a governance maturity assessment conducted using a structured analytical framework covering six core dimensions, based on 28 standardized parameters.
- Using crowd sourcing and geopositioned images to document near real time rangeland conditionAuthor(s): Louhaichi, Mounir; Cardoso Arango, Juan Andres; Kassam, Shinan; Hassan, Sawsan (XII International Rangeland Congress, 2025-07-22)Date: 2025-07-22Type: Conference PaperStatus: Open accessMonitoring rangeland vegetation is essential for sustainable land management, biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigation. Traditional vegetation monitoring methods often require extensive fieldwork, which can be time-consuming and costly. Crowdsourcing, which leverages the collective power of a large number of volunteers, offers a promising alternative. This study examines the effectiveness of using crowdsourcing to collect geopositioned images for monitoring rangeland vegetation. By engaging herders and pastoralists with smartphones featuring built-in GPS capabilities, a substantial dataset of geotagged photographs from diverse rangelands was amassed. These images were transferred to a central repository when an internet connection was available, ensuring continuous data flow from even the most remote areas. Subsequently, the images were analysed using advanced image processing and machine learning techniques to assess vegetation and ground cover in near real time. Preliminary results indicate that our protocol can provide high spatial and temporal resolution imagery, which complements traditional monitoring methods by offering more immediate and detailed insights. These images also serve as ground truth for supervised classification of large-scale remote sensing satellite scenes. Additionally, this approach enables sampling of inaccessible remote areas while promoting community engagement and environmental awareness among pastoral communities. The necessary steps for implementation are discussed, along with examples from various locations. The findings highlight the potential of crowdsourcing as a cost-effective and scalable tool for rangeland monitoring and management, showcasing its ability to enhance both data quality and stakeholder participation.
- Evaluation of approved fungicides for the control of seed-borne common bunt in wheat as alternatives to banned seed treatmentsAuthor(s): Moukahel, Abdulrahman; Kumari, Safaa; Darwish, Iman (Arab Society of Plant Protection (ASPP), 2025-11-24)Date: 2025-11-24Type: Conference PaperStatus: Open accessSeed-borne fungal diseases are among the most important and harmful diseases, especially when using untreated or inadequately treated seeds. Seed treatment with fungicides is one of the best strategies for controlling seedborne fungal diseases, and is considered as environmentally safe and economical due to applying low doses of fungicides compared to foliar applications. Recently, many fungicides used as seed-dressers have been banned (e.g. thiram) or restricted in some countries due to their high risk to human, animal or environmental health, which calls for the search for new alternative fungicides to maintain global seed trade and seed exchange for research purposes. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of four registered fungicides in controlling the causal agent of common bunt of wheat (Tilletia sp.), namely: Celest Extra® (25 g/l fludioxonil + 25 g/l difenoconazole) at a concentration of 2 ml/kg seeds, Switch® (250 g/kg trifloxystrobin + 500 g/kg tebuconazole) at 0.3 g/kg seeds, Nativo® (cyprodinil 37.5% + fludioxonil 25.0%), and Myclobutanil® (Myclobutanil 22.37%) at 1.0 g/kg seeds, using two bread wheat varieties (Cham 10 and Terbol) and two durum wheat varieties (Margherita and Zagharin-2). The experiment was conducted at ICARDA’s Seed Health Laboratory in Lebanon under fully controlled conditions. employing a randomized complete block design (RCBD), by contaminating the seeds of the tested wheat varieties with common bunt teliospores at rate of 1 g spores/50 g seeds, then the inoculated seeds were air-dried for around 4 hours. The contaminated seeds were treated with the tested fungicides at the recommended dose. On the other hand, contaminated and untreated seeds were left as controls. Healthy seeds were also treated with fungicides to evaluate the fungicides effect on the wheat varieties and their seed germination. At maturity, the incidence of common bunt was calculated by counting the infected and healthy spikes in each treatment, and the results were then analyzed using ANOVA. The results obtained showed highly significant differences between fungicides and wheat varieties on infection rate, where Celest Extra® had the lowest infection rate of 3.5%, followed by Switch® with an infection rate of 7.8%. Whereas, Nativo® revealed moderate efficacy on the disease (20.4%), and Myclobutanil was the least effective with an infection rate of 52.3%, however, its effect was significantly better than the untreated control (79.1%). Physiologically, no abnormal symptoms appeared and none of the tested fungicides affected seed germination at the recommended doses. Accordingly, research on Celest Extra® and Switch® could be expanded in the future using different concentrations and targeting various fungal diseases, to verify their effectiveness on different crops in controlling seed-borne diseases.
- The effect of the bacteria causing wheat leaf blight, Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae on the viability of Syrian wheat varieties under laboratory conditionsAuthor(s): Abo Bakr, Abdo; Kassem, Mohammad; Kumari, Safaa; Khatib, Fateh; Husien, Naiem; Nader, Asaad; Moukahel, Abdulrahman (Arab Society of Plant Protection (ASPP), 2025-11-25)Date: 2025-11-25Type: Conference PaperStatus: Open accessBacterial leaf blight, caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae (Pss) is one of the most important seedborne wheat diseases currently affecting global wheat production, both quantitatively and qualitatively. The lack of specialized bacterial disinfectants increases the severity of this disease, and the bacteria reside in the grain layers, such as the aleurone and endosperm, and even accompany the embryo. This study aimed to assess the effect of 12 bacterial isolates of Pss, each individually, on the germination rate of the Moroccan variety and the pathogenicity of these isolates, and their effect combined on the germination rate of 22 wheat varieties approved in Syrian agriculture, in addition to the six-row barley variety “Furat 2”. This study was conducted in the Wheat Pathology Laboratory at the University of Aleppo, in 2023. The grains of the Moroccan variety were soaked for 24 hours in the bacterial suspension of each isolate separately at a concentration of 109 CFU/ml. As for the grains of the studied varieties, they were soaked in the mixture of isolates (Bulk), while the control grains were treated with sterile distilled water and incubated at a temperature of 22°C. The experiment was carried out according to a completely randomized design (RCB) with three replicates for each isolate. Germination rate readings were taken in addition to and the root length 7 days after incubation. The results obtained showed that the isolate PS8 was superior to the rest of the studied isolates, as it reduced germination by 64% compared to the control. On the other hand, the tested varieties showed varying susceptibility levels to the mixture of studied isolates. In general, barley “Furat 2” was the most affected by 54%, and durum wheats were more susceptible to infection than soft wheats. Within the same species, the variety “Sham 11” was the most tolerant to the bacteria, with an average reduction in germination rate of 13.3% compared to the varieties Sham 1, Sham 5, Douma 3 and Buhouth 5, which had a reduction rate ranged between 35.59 and 37.25%.
- Arab and Near East plant protection bulletin: four decades of progress and dedicationAuthor(s): Jboory, Ibrahim; Makkouk, Khaled; Kumari, Safaa (Arab Society of Plant Protection (ASPP), 2025-11-24)Date: 2025-11-24Type: Conference PaperStatus: Open accessThe ASPP Newsletter was established in 1983 as a supplement to the Arab Journal of Plant Protection. In 1986, it was published as a separate publication under the name “Arab and Near East Plant Protection News Letter” (ANEPPNEL), in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations/FAO Near East Regional Office in Cairo. In 2023, the name was changed to “Arab and Near East Plant Protection Bulletin” (ANEPPB). Over the past 40 years, ANEPPB has become a vital platform for plant protection, promoting knowledge and fostering collaboration among the Arab region's scientific community. This platform enables plant protection scientists to exchange ideas and showcase their achievements, thereby enhancing future cooperation. Additionally, ANEPPB highlights success stories in developing innovative practices that effectively manage key pests and plays a role in disseminating vital research that advances pest management in the Arab and Near East regions. The bulletin documents M.Sc. and Ph.D. thesis research conducted at universities in the Arab region and worldwide. Furthermore, it features research conducted by young scientists, inspiring others to pursue excellence and innovation in plant protection. The bulletin also covers activities of selected regional and international organisations dedicated to promoting plant health. Its editorial content is prepared by senior scientists from various parts of the world, addressing pressing issues in plant protection. Besides publishing the ANEPPB on the society's website, it is distributed via email to over 1,000 recipients.
- Current status of viral diseases affecting cool-season food legumes in the Arab regionAuthor(s): Kumari, Safaa; Moukahel, Abdulrahman (Arab Society of Plant Protection (ASPP), 2025-11-24)Date: 2025-11-24Type: Conference PaperStatus: Open accessFood legumes (faba bean, chickpea and lentil) are widely cultivated in the Arab region, providing protein and calories to a large segment of the population. Viral diseases are a major constraint that limits the realization of legume production potential and causes yield instability. Twenty viruses have been identified in 11 Arab countries (Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Sudan, Tunisia, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen). These viruses are widespread in specific areas within specific countries, and yield losses can be quite serious, but vary based on strains, infected growth stage, cultivars, and environmental conditions. Viruses of greatest economic impact are Faba bean necrotic yellows virus (FBNYV), Bean leafroll virus (BLRV), Beet western yellows virus (BWYV), Chickpea chlorotic stunt virus (CpCSV), Chickpea chlorotic dwarf virus (CpCDV), Bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV), Broad bean mottle virus (BBMV), and Pea seed-borne mosaic virus (PSbMV). Other viruses, such as Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV), Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), Broad bean stain virus (BBSV), Broad bean wilt virus (BBWV), Broad bean true mosaic virus (BBTMV), Pea early browning virus (PEBV), Pea enation mosaic virus (PEMV), Cucurbit aphid-borne yellows virus (CABYV), Soybean dwarf virus (SbDV), Pepper vein yellows virus (PeVYV), Pepo aphid-borne yellows virus (PABYV), and Cotton leafroll dwarf virus (CLRDV), can be important in specific locations. FBNYV, BLRV, BWYV, SbDV, CpCSV, CABYV, PeVYV, PABYV and CLRDV are transmitted persistently by aphids; CpCDV is transmitted by leafhopper; AMV, BBWV, BYMV, CMV, PEMV and PSbMV are transmitted non-persistently by aphids and seeds; BBSV, BBMV and BBTMV are transmitted by beetles and seeds; and PEBV is transmitted by nematode and seeds. FBNYV (genus Nanovirus) has been reported in all 11 Arab countries, with high incidences reported in Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Tunisia, with epidemics occurring every 3-5 years, depending on the region. In addition, CpCSV and BWYV (genus Polerovirus) causes economic losses on chickpea in Lebanon, Syria and Tunisia. CpCDV (genus Mastervirus) was found to be the virus with the greatest economic impact on chickpea in Sudan, while PEBV has been reported in only three Arab countries in North Africa (Algeria, Libya, and Morocco). Recently, molecular analyses have provided a basic, sufficient, and reliable characterization for four chickpea viruses (belonging to the genus Polerovirus) in Sudan: CABYV, PeVYV, PABYV, and CLRDV. However, surveys and identification of viral diseases affecting food legumes in the Arab region remain incomplete. In some Arab countries, lack of necessary equipment, and virus identification entirely based on field observation or serological testing using non-specific antibodies. There is an urgent need to develop virus detection tools and introduce modern technologies for accurate virus identification to support breeding for resistance and effective disease management to ensure sustainable legume production and enhance regional food security.
- The role of CGIAR germplasm health units in enhancing the germplasm phytosanitary safety and mitigation of transboundary pest spreadAuthor(s): Kumar, Lava; Castellion, Martina; Cuervo, Maritza; Dawit, Woubit; Kreuze, Jan; Beatriz Muller Cadenillas, Giovanna; Kumari, Safaa; Massart, S.; Onaga, Geoffrey; Sharma, Rajan; Torres, Noemi (Arab Society of Plant Protection (ASPP), 2025-11-24)Date: 2025-11-24Type: Conference PaperStatus: Open accessThe safe international exchange of plant genetic resources is critical for global food security, biodiversity conservation, and agricultural innovation. CGIAR’s Germplasm Health Units (GHUs) play a pivotal role in ensuring that germplasm distributed from CGIAR genebanks and breeding programs is free from pests and diseases, thus protecting recipient countries from the inadvertent introduction of harmful transboundary pests. CGIAR programs export over 1000 germplasm samples of the most important food and forage crops to over 100 countries annually for international trials and use in crop improvement research. For instance, GHUs facilitated 1,741 exchange events to 125 countries; 84.1% (1464 events) were exports, and 15.9% (277 events) were imports. GHUs are responsible for implementing phytosanitary protocols aligned with international standards, particularly those set by the FAO International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) and National Plant Protection Organizations (NPPOs). In this process, GHUs employes a range of advanced diagnostic tools, including molecular testing, visual inspections, and germplasm therapies, to ensure the phytosanitary safety of seeds and vegetative propagules. In 2024, 369,878 samples were analyzed for pest detection, employing 1,270,396 diagnostic assays, which resulted in the detection and separation of 8.1% of contaminated samples for replacement with clean stocks. GHUs have also adopted next-generation diagnostic technologies for virus detection, particularly in clonal crop germplasm, which is known to have several cryptic viruses. As part of the systems approach to phytosanitary risk mitigation, GHUs conduct pest risk assessment and mitigation throughout the production cycle to eliminate the quarantine pest exposure risk and select healthy plants for sourcing germplasm for conservation and distribution. Through these efforts, GHUs actively prevent the movement of seed-borne quarantine pests, the spread of which could threaten agricultural systems and biodiversity. In addition, GHUs serve as capacity-building hubs, supporting national and regional plant health systems through training, technical assistance, and collaborative research and contributing to global surveillance and biosecurity networks. For over 50 years, GHUs have been instrumental in ensuring the supply of healthy, pest-free genetic material from CGIAR programs, thereby contributing to global agricultural sustainability and food system resilience.
- Control of Aphid-transmitted viruses of Faba bean using thiamethoxam as a seed-dressing insecticide treatment in TunisiaAuthor(s): Mghandef, Samia; Kumari, Safaa; Ghanem, Hajer Ben; Najar, Asma (Arab Society of Plant Protection (ASPP), 2025-11-24)Date: 2025-11-24Type: Conference PaperStatus: Open accessFaba bean, Vicia faba L. is the most important legume grown in Tunisia. Its productivity is affected by several biotic factors, including viruses. Most plant viruses are transmitted by various aphid species and therefor vector management is one of the main options for controlling viruses. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of seed treatment with Thiamethoxam in controlling aphid-transmitted viruses. On-farm experiments were conducted at Menzel Bourguiba and Mornag-INRAT Station during the 2022/23 and 2023/24 growing seasons to manage faba bean viruses and their aphid vectors. In the 1st growing season one faba bean variety (Najeh) and one planting data were used, whereas in the 2nd growing season, two faba bean varieties (Najeh and Chourouk) and two planting dates were implemented. In both seasons, faba bean seeds were treated with two doses of Cruiser® (Thiamethoxam) (1.00 and 1.2 cc/kg) compared to untreated seeds (control) were used as treatments. Numbers of aphids on faba bean plants, and virus incidence (%) were monitored based on symptoms observed (chlorosis, stunting, yellowing, reddening, curling and mosaic/mottling). At the flowering stage, random leaf samples were collected from 400-500 plants/treatment and tested serologically by tissue blot immunoassay (TBIA) using antibodies against Faba bean necrotic yellows virus (FBNYV), Chickpea chlorotic stunt virus (CpCSV) and Bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV). Faba bean plants were hand-harvested during the second half of June, and yield (kg) was recorded. Results of the 1st growing season showed that the incidence of CpCSV and FBNYV were 52% and 6% in untreated plots, and 20% and 0% in the plots treated with Thiamethoxam at the rate of 1.2cc/kg, respectively. In the 2nd growing season, no virus infection was detected in plots with the 1st planting date and plots treated with Thiamethoxam on the 2nd planting date at both sites, whereas viruses (e.g. CpCSV, FBNYV, BLRV and BYMV) were detected at low rate (0.4-6%) in untreated plots only in the 2nd planting date. Both faba bean varieties (Chourouk and Najeh) produced 28% higher yields than the untreated control for both doses of Thiamethoxam. Low rainfall and high temperature during the 2023/2024 growing season at both sites negatively affected aphid activity and hence virus infection, but the results obtained indicated that the virus and aphid vector management could be achieved by adjusting the planting date of faba bean crops and seed treatment with Thiamethoxam.
- Enhancing the resilience of Saharan rangelands by reseeding drought tolerant native shrubs: the case of Lygos raetam in southern TunisiaAuthor(s): Ouled Belgacem, Azaiez; Ben Abdellatif, M.; Louhaichi, Mounir (XII International Rangeland Congress, 2025-07-22)Date: 2025-07-22Type: Conference PaperStatus: Open accessLygos raetam is a desert and drought-tolerant shrub native to North Africa and West Asia. Goats and camels readily graze its fruits and flowers, and it is well known for its capacity to stabilise mobile sands. This study was carried out in the communal rangelands of Dhahar, Saharan area of Southern Tunisia, to assess the impact of reseeding L. raetam on natural vegetation cover and sand mobility. A sandy rangeland site located at the border of the African Eastern Sand Sea was subjected to three management treatments: two years of rest, reseeding L. raetam, and free grazing (control). In all plots, total plant and perennial species percentage covers were determined and monitored for 5 years. Results showed that despite the improvement in the percentage of total vegetation cover recorded, the rest technique seems insufficient and inefficient in cases where vegetation degradation has reached an advanced stage. On the other hand, despite the negative effect of drought, there were considerable positive impacts of reseeding L. raetam on vegetation cover and active dune stabilization. The good establishment and survival of L. raetam seedlings may encourage rangeland managers and pastoral communities to undertake rehabilitation by reintroducing promising native Saharan species when ecosystems lose their natural resilience.
- In which biome is the most degradation happening? The case of croplands, rangelands, forests, and irrigation water in TunisiaAuthor(s): Yigezu, Yigezu; Louhaichi, Mounir; Annabi, Mohamed; Bahri, Haithem; Abeyou, Abeyou; Ouled Belgacem, Azaiez; Barbouchi, Meriem (XII International Rangeland Congress, 2025-07-22)Date: 2025-07-22Type: Conference PaperStatus: Open accessThis study estimated the quantities and monetary values of ecosystem services (ESS) lost due to in/inadequate action to control agricultural resource degradation in Tunisia. We used a combination of GIS, remote sensing, and data from publications and official statistics to generate estimates of total and percentage of crop lands, rangelands, and forests falling in one of three (low, moderate, and severe) degradation classes and the corresponding biomass yield (ton/ha). We used a combination of market and non-market valuation methods to estimate the value of ESS lost due to inaction. The estimates are provided for each biome x province combination. Using extremely conservative assumptions, we estimated that in/inadequate action is causing Tunisia to lose at least 1.97 million tons of potential production of different food crops, 209 thousand tons of forest biomass, and 2.5 million tons of forage from rangelands, and at least 736 million cubic meters of irrigation water annually. In addition, Tunisia is losing at least 141.68 million tons of soil which is also associated with the release of at least 779 thousand tons of carbon into the atmosphere. Rangelands constitute 73.51% of the total national soil erosion out of which 67.7% is happening in the five Southern provinces where erosion rates as high as 52t/ha are recorded. The monetary value of all the ecosystem services that Tunisia is losing annually in all biomes is estimated to be at least $2.17 billion (4.65% of GDP). The main cost of in/inadequate action in the country in monetary terms is related to crop lands which constitute 53.98% of this loss followed by irrigation water, and rangelands which contribute 28.19% and 12.09% of total cost of inaction, respectively. These estimates have generated much discussion among high officials in Tunisia on the need to solicit funds to control land degradation, especially in rangelands.
- Sustainable sheep ranching through regenerative grazing in the western United States: the case of Shaniko wool company on carbon neutralityAuthor(s): Carver, Jeanne; Prado-Tarango, David; Talbott, John; Louhaichi, Mounir; Ates, Serkan (XII International Rangeland Congress, 2025-07-22)Date: 2025-07-22Type: Conference PaperStatus: Open accessRanching has historically been one of the most economically and socially rewarding activities for many families in the Western United States. However, climatic and socioeconomic changes have brought public scrutiny to the environmental impact of ranching. Our Imperial Stock Ranch, with a 153-year legacy, has proactively addressed these challenges by adopting advanced sustainable practices to "make the land win" while producing commodities from dryland cropland and livestock grazing for local markets. In 2016, we achieved certification to the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS), becoming the first ranch globally to meet this leading standard for sheep and wool production. This milestone enabled us to partner with renowned fashion brands, providing sustainable wool that was even used in Team USA Olympic uniforms (2014, 2018, 2022 and 2024). In 2018, we founded Shaniko Wool Company (SWC) as a Farm Group to expand the supply of wool in the US that meets RWS global standards. SWC now includes ten ranches, collectively grazing over 1 million hectares across the country. To quantify the impact of our sustainable wool production, we collaborated with Oregon State University in 2019. By 2020, a program was developed to measure organic soil carbon and model greenhouse gas emissions for the entire farm group using the COMET Farm Model. This model indicates that the farm group can offset all emissions from our operations. For instance, the Imperial Stock Ranch alone has the potential to offset 2,809 tons of CO2 annually, while the entire farm group can offset an estimated 91,444 tons annually. The future direction for our farm group involves certifying the entire group to sell carbon credits, creating a new income source alongside our existing production of food and fiber, sustaining humankind. Our commitment to sustainability not only benefits the environment but also strengthens the economic resilience of our ranching communities.
- Examining the dynamic shift between pastoralism and agropastoralism: comparative insights from South Africa and south AsiaDate: 2025-07-22Type: Conference PaperStatus: Open accessOften, pastoralism conflicts with cropping for land and other resources, leading to tensions between these two land uses. Nevertheless, pastoralism and agropastoralism can coexist, with the same people often engaging in both land use practices. However, the dominance of each land use is dependent on various factors, which are often dynamic. In South Africa’s arid zone, pastoralists have become spatially constrained through land grabbing during colonialism and apartheid, and due to the smaller size of the grazing lands, both land uses operate in proximity but vary according to climatic and socio-economic conditions and the governance of the land. Due to increases in rainfall variability and a reduction in rainfall, and drought recurrences, dryland cropping has declined whereby only about 12% of all croplands are utilized. These croplands are located within a matrix of arid, yet biodiverse shrublands that have been used by indigenous Nama pastoralists for centuries. On the other hand, in the arid zone of Rajasthan, India, livestock mobility as practiced by the Raika people is a mechanism to cope with climate change in search for better forage and water resources. Our results indicate that 80% of the grazing time was spent on cropland and fallow land along migration routes. In both cases, the rapid decline of cropping practices has had negative implications for livestock and concerted efforts needs to be undertaken to support this historic land use in rangelands that have shown to complement pastoralism in the face of rapid environmental and socio-economic change.
- Estimation of water-induced soil erosion levels across the rangelands of Ethiopia: an integrated RUSLE and GIS analysisAuthor(s): Abeyou, Abeyou; Yigezu, Yigezu; Louhaichi, Mounir; Haddad, Mira; Govind, Ajit (XII International Rangeland Congress, 2025-07-22)Date: 2025-07-22Type: Conference PaperStatus: Open accessSoil erosion poses a significant global threat, leading to widespread land degradation and the depletion of nutrient-rich topsoil. Understanding the spatial distribution of soil erosion is crucial for implementing effective management practices and preventing further erosion. This study utilized an analytical tool integrating the Revised Universal Soil Erosion Equation (RUSLE) with geographic information systems (GIS) to estimate water-induced soil erosion across the rangelands and other land use categories in Ethiopia. Rangelands, constituting 68% of Ethiopia’s total land area, are essential for the livelihoods of millions of pastoralists and agropastoralists. Input data for the analysis were gathered from multiple sources, including in situ observations and remotely sensed data with various spatial resolutions. The estimated soil erosion rates were validated using previously published data from literature. Our results revealed significant variation in soil erosion, ranging from zero to 250 t ha⁻¹ yr-1. The average soil loss across the country was estimated at 13.5 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹, amounting to an annual soil loss of about 1.5 billion tons, making Ethiopia one of the most severely affected countries by soil erosion worldwide. Disaggregated annual soil erosion estimates indicated that the highest soil loss occurs in rangelands (18 t ha⁻¹), sparsely vegetated (bare land) areas (16 t ha⁻¹), cultivated areas (10 t ha⁻¹), and forest areas (8 t ha⁻¹). These results underscore the urgent need to implement appropriate soil and water conservation practices across rangelands, embracing Sustainable Land Management practices that can significantly reduce soil erosion. Such efforts will support sustainable land resource use and potentially unlock new opportunities for the country.
- Identifying the appropriate spatial and temporal scales to address sustainable management of drylands: a US Tribal lands case studyAuthor(s): Washington-Allen, Robert A.; White, Thomas; GILBERT, Weylin; Emanuel, Ryan; Louhaichi, Mounir (XII International Rangeland Congress, 2025-07-22)Date: 2025-07-22Type: Conference PaperStatus: Open accessThere are 234 indigenous tribes within 225,365 km2 of tribally managed drylands within the conterminous United States of America (USA). A national report on the carbon dynamics of US Tribal drylands argued that a knowledge gap existed for these dynamics in drylands because data, publications, and research were nonexistent. However, carbon stocks of Tribal lands have been implicitly studied, and a few explicit studies have used poor experimental design to produce questionable results. We explicitly address the carbon dynamics knowledge gap by defining Tribal dryland extent using the aridity index (AI) and a time series of Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) 250-m pixel resolution net primary productivity or NPPM250, g C m-2 yr-1 from 2001 to 2019 of US drylands. We compared the 19-year mean NPP of the rangeland and cropland land uses within the tribal, public, and private land ownerships within their shared ecoregions. We compared the ecological resilience of tribal and non-tribal rangeland’s NPP in response to the 2002 global change-type drought. We mapped aridity thresholds associated with land degradation and used the thresholds to identify tribal lands vulnerable to increasing aridity. We conducted these analyses at multiple scales using open-source GIS software, including Google Earth Engine (GEE) and QGIS. We found that Tribal rangeland and cropland land uses had greater productivity than non-tribal drylands. We found that Tribal rangelands had greater ecological resilience in the face of a global change-type drought than non-tribal drylands. However, we also found that with increasing aridity, 86% of the Tribal land area exhibits potential vulnerabilities that include declines in food security, species richness, canopy cover, productivity, and soil fertility. These potential vulnerabilities suggest the need for complementary field and remote sensing studies to determine the integrity of these predictions.
- Comprehensive strategies for sustainable rangeland ecosystem restorationDate: 2025-07-22Type: Conference PaperStatus: Open accessThe development of a resilient and sustainable pastoral landscape is crucial for reversing degradation and ensuring long-term ecological health. Historically, unsustainable practices and climate change have severely degraded these landscapes. The context for restoration involves complex socio-economic, cultural, and ecological factors, necessitating a holistic approach. Key risks and drivers of change include climate variability, land tenure conflicts, and socio-economic pressures on land use. This paper presents comprehensive strategies for sustainable rangeland restoration, drawing on over two decades of experience in arid rangeland restoration and supported by relevant existing literature. Effective planning requires a deep understanding of socio-cultural dynamics, land tenure, and rights to access, rather than focusing solely on biophysical and technical aspects. Identifying target groups that are homogenous and less prone to conflict is essential to initiate restoration efforts effectively. Setting clear restoration priorities and targets, determining appropriate interventions, and understanding the specific uses of restored areas are critical components of the planning process. The basic steps for restoring a degraded ecosystem include agreeing on a common goal, establishing robust governance structures, and devising effective strategies. Removing sources of degradation or conflict is fundamental, followed by physical and biological restoration efforts. Patience is vital, as ecological restoration is a time-consuming process. Success factors include multi-stakeholder engagement, leveraging institutional collaborations to enhance resource utilization and efficiency, securing long-term investments and commitments, and supportive national and local policies. Utilizing local practices and knowledge, along with community empowerment, ensures ownership and sustainability of the restoration process. In summary, intervention strategies for restoring degraded pastoral landscapes are site-specific, requiring tailored approaches rather than a one-size-fits-all solution. Restoration efforts must be coupled with effective management to be successful, and inappropriate policies can exacerbate damage. Developing national institutions' capacity through new tools, monitoring, and grazing management is essential for sustained restoration and rehabilitation efforts.
- The potential of cactus pear for dryland farmingAuthor(s): Hassan, Sawsan; Louhaichi, Mounir (International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA))Date: 2025-01-27Type: BlogStatus: Open accessA blog about the potential and multifunctionality of cactus pear. Cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica, OFI) is a resilient shrub that thrives in arid regions and offers a wide range of benefits. Its pads (cladodes) are eaten as vegetables, its fruits are enjoyed fresh or processed into jams, juices, and beverages, and its biomass serves as moisture-rich feed for livestock. Beyond its nutritional value, OFI improves soil health by enhancing organic matter, water retention, and vegetation cover, helping to combat desertification. Its versatility extends to industrial applications, including bioenergy, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and bioplastics, providing both economic and environmental benefits. Initiatives like FAO-ICARDA’s CactusNet play a key role in coordinating research, sharing knowledge, and fostering collaboration to fully realize OFI’s potential.
- Silvopastoral Systems Restoring Land and Livelihoods in TunisiaAuthor(s): Louhaichi, Mounir; Hassan, Sawsan; Jilali, Khlifa; Marzouki, Ezzedine; Dhib, Wajdi (International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA))Date: 2025-11-05Type: BlogStatus: Open accessA blog about a field day on silvopastoral restoration highlights how practitioners, researchers, and local communities came together to advance sustainable land management in Tunisia’s drylands. The event brought experts from ICARDA, DGF, CAPTE, and CES to demonstrate practical techniques in agroforestry and rangeland rehabilitation, including species selection, planting methods, soil and water conservation practices, and the management of high-value species such as carob (Ceratonia siliqua). Participants explored the ecological interactions between trees, shrubs, and forage species that underpin productive silvopastoral systems, supporting soil fertility, carbon storage, and biodiversity. Hands-on field demonstrations allowed participants to practice seedling handling, water harvesting, and planting, culminating in the collective planting of over 500 carob seedlings. This activity symbolized the partners’ shared commitment to restoring degraded landscapes and enhancing rural livelihoods. The field day aligned with Tunisia’s National Tree Day and contributed to global frameworks such as the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026. Together, these efforts illustrate how collaboration, innovation, and community engagement drive resilient and sustainable ecosystem restoration.