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 12 -14, 2003, NCARTT hosted the IMIS regional Workshop at the Dead Sea Marriott, Jordan, which included participants of U.S., Israeli, Palestinian and Jordanian counterparts. The program included technical presentations on the USDA-ARS research programs, crop water use and water use efficiency, the role of irrigation in improving water use efficiency, wastewater re-use in Jordan, salinity management and use of low quality waters, weather station networks, irrigation scheduling outreach and extension. The Workshop concluded with presentation of the work plans by the Israeli, Palestinian and Jordanian teams.

Dr. Steve Evett, USDA-ARS, visited Jordan during July 2004, and visited Al- Mafraq IMIS project site, and helped the Jordanian identify two additional locations to be installed soon. The one weather station will be installed in Al-Showbak research center, located in the center of the country, and the second will be located in El-Safi region, covering the southern tip of the Dead Sea region. Dr. Evett assisted the Jordanian IMIS team identify a site in the Jordan Valley for a weighing lysimeter to be installed for direct crop water use measurement.

Progress in this project include increased scientific cooperation amongst American, Israeli, Jordanian and Palestinian scientists, creation of an agricultural weather station network with an internet site (www.merimis.org), improved knowledge of crop water use for several crops in the region, and positive plans for future collaboration on the pressing water issues of the region. Preparation for phase II of the IMIS project is under way. The new IMIS activities will build upon and enhance the outcomes of phase I of the IMIS project.