Agriculture technology

The project will be implemented by Tunisia"s Direction de la Recherche et de la Formation des Cadres with assistance from a U.S. university or universities. The project will consist largely of U.S. academic training at the M.S., and in some cases Ph.D., level for 50 participants and short-term U.S. training in technical skills, technologies, and research methodologies for another 66. Training will focus on: (1) the use and management of semiarid lands; (2) the grading, packaging, and marketing of agricultural products; and (3) library science. Specific agricultural training areas will include drylands agronomy, watershed management and revegetation, soil and water conservation, barley breeding and production, sheep husbandry, soil science, and small-farm irrigation. Women will be included in the initial target groups. To supplement participant training and support Tunisian research institutions (the National Agronomic Institute of Tunisia, the National Institute of Agronomic Research, and the Institute for Field Crops), the project will provide 54 person-months of consultant services for analyses, studies, reports, and assistance in implementing in-country workshops and conferences targeted to a broader audience. In addition, a library of professional and technical agriculture references will be established, and English-language materials for the library (including the above-mentioned consultant papers) provided. By developing linkages between U.S. and Tunisian research and educational institutions, the project will ensure the continued availability of current agricultural technology. Amendment of 8/85 extends the project to 12/31/90 and provides funding for: (1) additional long-term training (17 M.S."s, 3 Ph.D."s); (2) offshore and in-country short-term training; (3) activities to strengthen linkages between Tunisian and U.S. scientists and universities (10 cooperative research agreements, 4 sabbatical leaves, and 2 sister school agreements); and (4) support to selected P.L. 480 activities (soil testing labs, weed control, and varietal testing of cereals and legumes). TA, logistical support, and limited commodities will be provided in support of the above activities. (PD-AAR-924)