Life @ NARC with Salam AYOUB (PP2)

About the National Agricultural Research Center (NARC)

NARC is the principle agricultural research institution at national level and consists of a main headquarter in Al-Balqa and eight regional centers covering the different areas of Jordan. NARC aims to promote the agricultural sector in Jordan through the implementation of applied agricultural research and introduction of appropriate and effective technology in cooperation with relevant national and international institutions for enhancing the economic and environmental level of Jordanian farmers. The organization includes expert researchers in the field of olive cultivation, horticulture, cereals, legumes, biodiversity, fodders, water, soil, animal husbandry, environment and climate change. NARC has also well established laboratories and operates with 13 research stations representing different agro-ecological conditions of Jordan. NARC made a very important accomplishment aligning its goals endorsed within its new strategy (2019-2023) with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations (Agenda 2030).

Learning to know Salam AYOUB, LIVINGAGRO Project Manager at NARC

Dr. Salam Ayoub is a senior researcher and the Director of Horticulture Research Directorate at the National Agricultural Research Center (NARC). He obtained his Ph.D. in Horticulture / olive tree physiology from the University of Jordan. He is an expert in olive cultivation and olive oil quality and works as principal investigator for several research projects related to characterization and conservation of olive cultivars, reuse of olive mill wastewater and utilization of reclaimed wastewater. His research interests include olive cultivars and genetic resources, olive oil extraction and quality, olive irrigation, management of olive mills by-products and organic farming. He has published 12 peer-reviewed articles, 8 booklets and one book-chapter. He is a member of the International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS), member of the AARINENA Olive Network, olive oil expert for the International Olive Council, member of the Jordanian Society for Organic Farming, member of the Jordanian olive oil tasting panel and the organizer of the 5th International Olive Conference (OLIVEBIOTEQ-2014) which was held in Amman, Jordan, on 3-6 November 2014. Dr. Ayoub is currently working on the implementation of LIVINGAGRO project including submitting the request to purchasethe equipment (personal computers), start the procedure for procurement of the external financial auditor and establishing  of a demonstration site for olive multifunctional system. An olive field at Maru Research Station located in Irbid (North of Jordan) was planted in February 2020 with vetch legume crop as a demonstration for olive intercropping system.

Work during COVID19 health emergency

During the ongoing COVID19 crisis, the government and private sectors in Jordan are off-work since March 18th 2020. The government bodies are working with the minimal staff to sustain the life and to provide the people with their essential needs. NARC staff continue to work remotely to provide the farmers with awareness letters, information and learning videos on how to manage their farms and to sustain their production and taking the health precautions during the COVID19 crisis. The deal with Smart working continues from home with colleagues from NARC to follow up project activities. The progress in implementation of project activities was discussed via Skype meeting with partners from LARI, Lebanon.

Life @ ATM with Dina PORAZZINI (PP5)

About ATM Consulting s.a.s. (ATM)

ATM consulting s.a.s. is a consulting company based in Italy in different regions such as Sardinia, Umbria and Lombardy. It deals with assistance, design and innovation transfer in the agro-forestry sector, not only in the national territory but also in other countries of the European Union. The company was founded in 1990 by a group of agronomists including the legal representative who has still today the managerial role. It provides its services with a “network” philosophy, using a network of skills and collaborations that expands every year according to a virtuous mechanism of relationships between positive systems. The pillars of ATM's action are good knowledge of innovations suitable for transfer, technical ability, experience and precision in “doing”. The sector of work concerning the services related to the application of studies and researches in the agricultural, forestry, agro-industrial, agri-food and environmental sectors is one of the main scope of the company.

Learning to know Dina PORAZZINI, LIVINGAGRO Project Manager at ATM

Dina Porazzini was co-founder of ATM in 1990, being the company involved in many activities and experiences within projects related to the agricultural and forestry sector such as regional development programs, local development plans, innovation transfer and European projects. Dina is graduated in agricultural sciences and has a great experience in transfer innovation and an experience of assistance to companies of over 30 years. She covers the role of Project Manager for ATM within LIVINGAGRO project.

Work during COVID19 health emergency

During the COVID-19 emergency some of the working activities at ATM were carried out quite normally, whereas some were put in standby or reduced. Most of the work, in order to contrast the spreading of the virus, was done via smart working. Therefore, for some collaborators the situation has changed little, since they already carried out their activities remotely, while the workplace moved from the office to home for the rest of the staff. What really changed was the scheduling of meetings, daily activities and the organization’s way. In fact in this period all the staff has limited to organize himself to regular meetings via Skype, that however have been very productive. Obviously some activities concerning physical meetings and co-presence meetings were postponed. However, despite the difficulties, the work was carried out without too many complications and from a certain point of view, indeed, it was possible to experiment new platforms which enable work remotely.