Activity 5.1: Implement a distance coaching of the Regional Network members through a virtual platform, in parallel to the Field Measurements activity

Abstract

ICARDA and FAO-RNE in partnership together initiated a project to establish a Regional Network for field (crops and orchards) ETa measurements (NENA-ETNet) with an initial participation of five countries of the Near East and North Africa (NENA) Region: Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco and Tunisia. As the Network will consolidate, and more financial resources will be available, additional participation is expected of additional countries from the NENA Region whereas the life span of the NENA-ETNet is expected to go beyond the duration of the present project (31 December 2020). One important member of the Network outside the NENA Region is the University of Cordoba, which has a relevant role in the development of one of the field ETa methods, which will be tested, calibrated, and ultimately adopted as a standard through the Regional Network. In order to fill the necessary data gaps from the ground measurements to validate the several RS based ET estimates, there is an urgent need to establish and operationalize a collaborative regional network for ET measurements. The participating countries have good capacity and facilities for ET measurements using energy balance methodologies, lysimeter and gravimetric methods along with CORDOVA-ET system. The ET measurements are in place and will have a special focus on validation of the CORDOVA-ET system. Operationalization of the NENA-ETNet also demands interaction with members for co-learning through asking questions, suggestions, provide advises and recommendations, but also constant follow-up on timely observation and occurrence so that a final catalogue of cases will be documented for future use. Therefore, establishing a virtual platform on distance coaching for regional network members in parallel to the field measurements is to facilitate the follow up with partners through virtual platforms. Such a remote platform helps to ask queries and questions could raise during the actual operation of the instruments and while conducting measurements. This distance coaching will be set as continuous process. The specialists and principal investigators will be engaged to manage and maintain the active participation of the virtual platform. They will not only interact with the members of the network, providing advises and recommendations, but also record any question, observation and occurrence so that a final catalogue of cases will be documented. This will be extremely useful in cumulating lessons learned.