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Central and
West Asia and North Africa
Survey on the implementation of the Global Plan of Action: The Malta Report
a. in situ conservation on development
No inventory of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture has yet been carried out. However the Department of Agriculture has Set in place the mechanism to preserve this genetic material through the constitution of a Micropagation Centre which will include a gene bank. The structural works have been completed whilst its staff are being trained.
Since 1997 an ambitious valley rehabilitation programme has been initiated. These works include the repairing of field retaining walls flanking the water courses in the valleys; the cleaning and de-silting of the lakes behind the dams and the re-introduction of specimen of the local flora absent for some time from the valley. This work has commenced on one of the major valleys, Wied Il-Qlejgha in Rabat. Promotion of local varieties of food crops is done through the holding of two annual agricultural shows (one in Malta and another in Gozo) wherein old varieties are exhibited.
b. ex situ conservation
The ex-situ collections of the local flora and also a number of forage crops consist mainly of herbaria controlled and kept by the University of Malta.
It is planned that a herbarium of plant crops being grown nowadays be started off this autumn.
c. Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources
The Department of Agriculture has initiated a campaign among growers to grow under-utilized crops such as herbs and aromatic plants for niche markets abroad. A case in point is the medicinal plant Bitter Melon (MOMORDICA CHARANTIA) which is being grown still on a smell scale, for export.
d. Institutions and capacity building
Existing collaboration between the. Department of Agriculture, the Malta University and the Department for the Protection of the Environment is expected to be strengthened as indicated in a 1998 report on the Development of Agriculture in Malta, carried out by a National Commission set up by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.
The Agro-ecological survey, which has just been started on a pilot area, is expected to be finalized this year thus making it possible for drawing up a management plan for extending this survey to the whole island in the coming years.
Malta has expanded its agricultural training on two levels namely at the University and at the secondary school levels. In 1993 the Institute of Agriculture of the Malta University was instituted offering both Diploma and postgraduate courses in agriculture related subjects. This one day programme introduces the students to the basic elements of horticulture, and livestock breeding during their one day visit to the Centre. In order to reach out to all .students only one class per day is taken on the programme. Since the system works for four days per week all throughout the scholastic year all the secondary schools (both state and private ones) will have their Form 11 students avail themselves of this programme by the end of 1999.
Parallel to this initiative for schools, another fine of action is being taken by the Department of Agriculture by promoting the Hands On Farming programme to the general public and NGOs when schools are on holiday. This activity is being linked to Agro-tourism in the belief that the more the public (local and visitors to Malta) is made aware of the fragility - yet importance - of Agriculture and the natural environment, the more positive reactions are forthcoming from consumers and investors.
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