Central and West Asia and North Africa
Regional Meeting Report

Survey on the implementation of the Global Plan of Action: country report from the Arab Republic of Egypt


Activities of the Global Plan of Action

The National Plant Genetic Resources Unit (NPGRU/E) has been established in January 1995 under the Agricultural Research Center, Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation. No building, equipment or infrastructure has been made available for the NPGRU. The lack of funds was the main reason for that. Apart from the Director of the NPGRU, a total number of 3 scientists are available (Two Genebank-Ducomentalists and one Agronomist). The NPGRU was involved during the last 3 years in following activities:

  1. Surveying and inventorying Plant Genetic Resources.

  2. Improving the coordination of national activities with PGR through the work of the National PGR committee. The coordination of national activities still poor due to the fact that the NPGRU did not have the working facilities and manpower needed.

  3. Give technical advise for the establishment of El-Sheikh Zuwayid PGR Station For Extension and Research on Plant Genetic Resources.

    The El-Sheikh Zuwayid station is located at the North East coast of Egypt and about 35 km east of El Arish and 15 km west of the border town of Rafah. The station located 15 meters above sea level. The main air temperature is 15°C in winter and 25°C in summer. Annual rain is between 200 and 300 mm. The El-Sheikh Zuwayid station is one of the outer research stations of the Desert Research Center, Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation in Egypt.

    The size of the station is about 18 acres. There is a fence around the station. The soil is sand (<0.5% organic matter, pH 8). The Irrigation is done by two underground water wells (water salinity of one well is 1200 ppm and the other one is 4000 ppm). The irrigation water of the two drills is mixed and adjusted according to the acceptable salinity level wanted in a 150m3 water tank. The irrigation is done by an automated drip irrigation system. Three Greenhouses with controlled environment are available. Two Greenhouses each have the size of 288 m2, the third one is 80 m2.

    Another Greenhouse for the multiplication of olive germplasm (216 m2) and an additional plant acclimatization net house of 684 m2 are available. Electricity supply from the main power and an additional supply by a generator (100 K.V.A) are available. A modern meteorological station, working with solar energy, and connected with other meteorological stations and with the headquarters in Cairo (per computer) has been established at the site.

    A mini genebank is under construction. After its finalization in August 1998 two cold rooms (one running at + 4°C and the second at -20°C) for short-, medium- and long-term seed storage will be available. A 10 m2 seed drying unit and a 180 m2 laboratory for seed processing and packing are also a part of this mini genebank.

    Main objectives of the station:
    ·

    • Survey on the available and useful germpalsm for the coastal and Sinai area in and outside the country.

    • Exploration and collection of valuable germplasm, in particular that threatened by extinction. This should cover fruit trees, medicinal and aromatic plants as well as pastures.

    • Multiplication, rejuvenation, characterization and evaluation of collected germplasm

    • Data computerization on all germplasm activities.

    • Short-, medium- and long-term storage of important and endangered plant species.

    • Germpalsm distribution to all users considering the enrichment and saving of plant biodiversity and restoration of ecosystems in the area.

    • Provide extension services to all plant Germplasm users on relevant issues.

    • Cooperation with other institution in and outside the country to ensure useful exchange of information and genetic materials

    The Egyptian Government has covered most of the costs needed for the establishment of El-Sheikh Zuwayid station (more than 3 million EL pound).

  4. Collection, evaluation and Ex-situ conservation of PGR were very limited during the last 3 years due to the lack of funds and the absence of reliable conservation facilities.

 

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