Objectives
To study and improve nut production in the Mediterranean Region. For more details visit the network website: https://networks.iamz.ciheam.org/nuts/index.html
Origins
The Interregional FAO-CIHEAM Research Network on Nuts was created in the 1990s upon an agreement signed by CIHEAM and FAO to join efforts of previous networking structures that each institution had been supporting. This Network was one of the networks of the European System of Cooperative Research Networks in Agriculture (FAO-ESCORENA). The Network is currently working on the following species: Almond, Hazelnut, Walnut, Pistachio, Chestnut and Stone Pine. Wide topics are targeted, covering all aspects of cultivation and industrialization of these species: plant breeding, physiology, agronomical techniques, pests and diseases, fruit quality, processing and markets. Since its origin, the FAO-CIHEAM Network on Nuts has had a considerable level of activity, aiming to:
- Exchange scientific knowledge, from methodologies to results, through the promotion of periodical international meetings where researchers from Mediterranean countries can participate.
- Prospect and test plant material from different origins to be characterized and tested.
- Conducting joint research works targeting common issues affecting nut farming in the Mediterranean areas.
The Network has a simple coordination structure and a free membership. The Network involves more than 500 experts belonging to around 20 institutions from Mediterranean countries, and also from other areas of the world where nut cultivation is important (Australia, Chile, Iran, USA…). Collaboration with international organizations such as ISHS and Biodiversity International (ex IPGRI) is frequent.
Type of actions
- Exchange of information.
- Organization of periodic meetings and seminars (every two or three years).
- Working groups with common methodologies.
- Research projects.
- Training.
Contact persons
Mercè Rovira (Network coordinator):merce.rovira@irta.cat
Antonio López-Francos (CIHEAM Zaragoza): iamz@iamz.ciheam.org
Results and impact
Different results have been obtained from activities carried out within the framework of this network, from the more or less informal exchange of information to the different publications and the development of a large-scope research project. Since 1990, over 30 meetings on nut tree crops, genetic resources and economics have been organized, alone or jointly with other institutions such as ISHS, IPGRI, etc.
Through the network activities, almost all researchers working on nuts in the Mediterranean have been identified, and considerable knowledge of their concerns, priorities, programmes and work infrastructures has been gained. These exchange activities of the network take place through bilateral contacts, particularly through scientific colloquia such as the GREMPA meetings and through the NUCIS Newsletter, which has become the Newsletter of reference within the field of nuts.
Beyond the most immediate results, the contacts and relations created among the community of experts and researchers have fostered multiple collaborations in terms of training of students, joint activities among groups and centres, and development of joint research projects.
Past activities
The FAO-CIHEAM Network on Nuts is involved in many international scientific meetings concerning the target species. In some cases, the Network actively promotes the participation of its members in these events, the organization of which is also undertaken by network members and supported by CIHEAM Zaragoza and other institutions. In other cases, the members of the Network participate in these meetings on an individual basis.
Walnut: the ISHS VIII International Symposium on Walnut, Cashew and Pecan has held in Santiago de Chile from 29 November to 1 December 2017.
Almonds and Pistachios: the ISHS VII International Symposium on Almonds and Pistachios was held in Adelaide (Australia) from 5 to 9 November 2017.
Chestnut: The ISHS VI Chestnut Symposium, was held in Atakum (Samsun, Turkey), from 9 to 13 October 2017.
Hazelnut: The ISHS IX Congress on the Hazelnut was held in Atakum (Samsun, Turkey) from15 to 19 August 2017.
Publications
A substantial number of publications have been produced from the Network activities:
Proceedings of Agropine2016-2nd Meeting on Mediterranean Stone Pine for Agroforestry (Mediterranean pine nuts from forests and plantations) (18-20 May 2016, Oeiras, Portugal). I. Carrasquinho, A.C. Correia, S. Mutke (eds). Published by CIHEAM: 2017. Options Méditerranéennes, Série A, No. 122, 132 p.
Proceedings of the XVI GREMPA Meeting on Almonds and Pistachios. (2011/11/17-19, (Meknès, Morocco, 12-14 May 2015). O. Kodad, A. López-Francos, M. Rovira, R. Socias i Company (eds). Published by CIHEAM: 2016 Options Méditerranéennes, Série A, No. 119, 338 p.
Proceedings of the AGROPINE 2011 International Meeting on Mediterranean Stone Pine for Agroforestry (2011/11/17-19, Valladolid (Spain). Mutke et al. (eds). Published by CIHEAM / FAO / INIA / IRTA / CESEFOR / CTFC. Options Méditerranéennes, Série A, No. 105, 140 p.
e-Nucis Newsletter
e-NUCIS is the electronic Newsletter of the FAO-CIHEAM Network on Nuts, taking over the original Nucis Newsletter. e-NUCIS collects and shares news on projects, research activities and results, publications and other relevant information for the nut research community. e-NUCIS feeds on contents coming from network members, who are encouraged to send contributions (such as reports, notes, project summaries, published articles, and other interesting information) to nutnetwork@iamz.ciheam.org
For more information visit the Network website: https://networks.iamz.ciheam.org/nuts/e_nucis.html