FAO launches e-Learning course to transform dryland
management

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
(FAO) launched a new e-learning course that will inspire practitioners to
champion transformational dryland forest management strategies in close
cooperation with Ministry of Agriculture Jahad of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The course was officially launched at a high-level event on
Wednesday, 29 March 2023, with the participation of Dr. Abbas Ali Nobakht,
Iranian Deputy Minister and Head of the Natural Resources and Watershed
Management Organization.

The e-Learning platform is entitled “the Transforming
Dryland Forests and Agrosilvopastoral Systems: An approach to sustain and
develop food production in drylands under change”.

Spearheaded by the Committee on Forestry Working Group on
Dryland Forests and Agrosilvopastoral Systems (COFO WG), the course was
developed through the joint efforts and expertise of the Natural Resources and
Watershed Management Organization of the Ministry of Agriculture Jahad of the
Islamic Republic of Iran and 15 other partners.

“A business-as-usual approach is no longer an option for a
food-secure future, but there is a huge gap between awareness and capacity to
implement sustainable dryland management interventions,” said FAO Forestry
Officer Fidaa F. Haddad. “This e-learning course focuses on agrosilvopastoral
systems as a solution, utilising both dryland trees and livestock in a mutually
beneficial system.”

“When correctly implemented, agrosilvopastoral systems can
ensure the sustainability of food production and livelihoods in these regions,
while alleviating poverty and reducing the risk of conflict and disasters,”
continued Haddad.

Transforming the management of dryland forests

The e-learning course is now available free on the FAO
elearning Academy platform. It targets programme and project managers, field
practitioners, policy makers and anyone interested in sustainable development
of drylands.

Through five online lessons, the course will build the
competencies needed to transform the way practitioners manage dryland forests,
with a focus on increasing sustainability whilst retaining the benefits of
other interventions. The course takes around five hours to complete and after a
final test, participants will be awarded a certificate. It is accessible at the
following link: Course: Transforming dryland forests and agrosilvopastoral
systems (fao.org)