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Journal of Environmental Research
March 29-31, 2018
Vienna, Austria
Environmental Science & Technology 2018
Page 34
4th Edition of International Conference on
Environmental Science
& Technology
Kofi Anan once said “knowledge is not lacking, what is lacking
as ever, is the will to turn this knowledge into practice”. Two
cases will be discussed one fromNorth Africa and the other from
Asia. The common factor is the will to turn knowledge into a
motivation power to induce positive changes that could pave the
way for innovation and sustainable development. The first case
discusses how research results can be turned into innovation
and community inspiration among dryland sorghum farmers in
the vast central clay plains of Sudan. The initiative was a regional
IDRC funded project to help farmers adapt to climate change in
east and central Africa (Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania).
The successful research on micro water harvesting techniques
has inspired young scientists to patent a Water Harvesting
Inter-row Planter (WaHIP) that can make ridges plant sorghum
in the bottom of the ridge in one operation that is carried out
perpendiculartoslopeunderheavyclaysoilstopreventthescares
rainfall water from running off the crop zone. The innovation
had directed the attention of the government officials and the
farmers. The results were overwhelming success with farmers
trying to produce their own prototype of WaHIP, Government
producing 4 WaHIP machines and a foreign company involved
in mass production. The second case explains how cooperation
between the Arabian Gulf University (AGU) through its unique
post-graduate programs and community service together with
high level initiatives, decision makers and farmers can push
constraints hindering agricultural development to its minimum
limits. The cooperation between Bahrain National Initiative
for Agricultural Development, AGU, the concerned Ministries
and the farmers is highlighted to explore win-win situation for
sustainable agricultural development. The results obtained so far
were encouraging for more actions based on informed decisions
supported by the political good will and inspiring leadership.
Biography
Abdelhadi A W has obtained his PhD in Global Science from Kobe Univer­
sity, Japan in 2000 where he spent two years in Postdoctoral studies. He
obtained his MSc degree in Agriculture and Biological Science from the
University of Newcastle upon Tyne in 1992. He worked for the Agricultural
Research Corporation, Gezira Research Station for 22 years and as the Di­
rector of Soba Research Station for Saline & Sodic Soils. He worked for the
Arab Organization for Agricultural Development before joining the Arabian
Gulf University in 2011. He participated in more than 20 international con­
ferences and workshops and published more than 29 papers in refereed
prominent journals and is serving as a referee for more than five reputable
scientific journals.
Turning knowledge into useful actions
Abdelhadi A W
Arabian Gulf University, Bahrain
Abdelhadi A W, J Environ Res, Volume 2