FAO uses information technology for plant protection and controlling quarantine pests

3 July 2018, Beirut, Lebanon – The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has launched a training of trainers workshop with the participation of six member countries on the use of information technology for plant protection and controlling quarantine pests.

During the workshop, participants from Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, Algeria, Egypt, Palestine and Lebanon focused on the “Xylella fastidiosa” bacterium – syndrome of the rapid decline of the olive tree – and specifically on the use of XylAppNENA and relative DataBase applications.

The workshop aimed at providing training on the use of information technology for sampling and geo-localisation of the collected samples, traceability and storage of the data (sample position, operators, laboratory assay used, results of the analyses and finally a map of the sample with the result).

This training comes under the framework of FAO’s “Preventive Measures for the Introduction and Spread of Xylella fastidiosa-Olive Quick Decline Syndrome in NENA Countries” project, which works to support governments’ efforts to reduce the risk of introduction and spread of X. fastidiosa and its harmful effects.

The project and training workshop are in partnership with the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM).