4.What were the most significant accomplishments this past year?
This report serves to document research conducted under a specific cooperative agreement between ARS and Jordan¿s Ministry of Agriculture-National Center for Agricultural Research and Technology Transfer (NCARTT). Funding is provided under a reimbursable agreement with the Department of State (see CRIS 4001-22310-002-44R) and work is in partnership with the Palestinian Agricultural Relief Committees (PARC) (see CRIS 4001-22310-002-48S) and Israel (see CRIS 4001-22310-002-47S.) Water scarcity and competing demands for water have become one of the key barriers to sustainable agriculture production in the Middle East. Under the direction of Dr. James Ayars, ARS Water Management Research Laboratory, Parlier, CA, and Dr. Steven Evett, ARS Soil and Water Management Research Unit, Bushland, TX, the Middle Eastern co-operators will work to establish the technological and human infrastructure required to achieve long-term sustained water conservation in the Middle East and the U.S. The project was launched in July, 2003. On October 3-17, a team of ARS scientists will visit Israel, Palestinian areas, and Jordan. The team will meet with the local cooperating scientists and water managers to begin developing country specific water management research programs.