Biography:

Professor Mahmud Duwayri graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA in 1973. He was in the University of Jordan since the year of graduation, and became the Dean of Agriculture in 1984, and was appointed Dean of Agriculture in the University of United Arab Emirates (1990?1992). In 1986, Dr. Duwayri was selected as a Fellow in the International Leadership Program on Food Systems. In 1992, he was appointed Director-General of Jordan National Agricultural Research System. Dr. Duwayri was appointed Vice-President of Jordan University of Science and Technology (1996/1997). In 2010, he was appointed President and Founder of Ajloun National University. Professor Duwayri was appointed by FAO as Director of the Plant Production and Protection Division (1998?mid-2001). In June 2001, he was appointed Minister of Agriculture in Jordan. Dr. Duwayri served as a member of several international committees and boards. Currently, he is a member of the Advisory Panel for the Environmental compensation Unit at the Ministry of Environment, Amman; and is Vice-Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Al al-Bayt University, Jordan. Dr. Duwayri supervised several Master?s and PhD students in the areas of plant genetic resources, sustainable agriculture and food security.

Abstract:

Presentation Title: Challenges of Food and Water Security in the Arab World. Abstract: Meeting the future food demands without undermining further the integrity of Earth?s environmental system is the most important challenge facing the world. Sustainable agriculture is the production of food, fiber, or other plant or animal products, using farming techniques that protect the environment, public health, human communities, and animal welfare. This form of agriculture enables us to produce healthful food without compromising future generation ability to do the same. In most Arab countries, domestic agricultural production is insufficient. The gap between production and demand is likely to increase due to climate change and other factors. The Arab region imports more than half of the food calories consumed in the region, and this figure is likely to rise. With severely limited water and arable land, future growth in food production must come mainly from increases in crop and livestock productivity. Rainfed agriculture, which currently accounts for 69% of the region?s cultivated area, must be made more productive. A range of productivity-enhancing technologies is available, and new ones continue to be developed. Success in pilot projects are often not scaled out effectively, and technology adoption remains low. There are substantial yield gaps?which represent a clear opportunity for producers as well as policy makers and other stakeholders. In the irrigated agriculture sector, about 75% of the water in the region is used for irrigation, and it is known that eight out of the world?s top ten most water-stressed countries are within this region. It is indicated that sustainable development in the Arab world requires the need for an efficient response to water scarcity, an enhanced management of energy in view of constraints from climate change, and ensuring availability of food security. It is of great significance that the water-food-energy nexus should be taken into consideration rather than dealing with each element separately.