Current Status of Agricultural Biotechnology in Lebanon

1. Current Status of Agricultural Biotechnologyin Lebanon Presented by Lamis Chalak Department of Plant Biotechnology Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute Ministry of Agriculture lchalak@lari.gov.lb AARINENA / Regional Agricultural Biotechnology Network Expert Consultation Meeting, 15-16 December 2007, Cairo

2. General Aspects of Agriculture in Lebanon • Lebanon is a small country (10 452 km2), located in the Near East Fertile Crescent region where domestication of species started ten thousand years ago. • Topographical, climatic and landscape diversity create diverse agro-ecosystems ranging from semi-arid to humid, that allow for a large number of temperate and subtropical plant genetic resources to live and flourish. • The main crops grown in Lebanon are olives, fruit trees and cereals each representing over 20% of the total cultivated area in the country, followed by tubers and fruity vegetables. • About 36% of Lebanon is cultivated land, of which 7% is covered by forests and 57% is non-cultivated land or temporary pasture. In 2004, the cultivated area was about 268 000 Ha out of which 135 000 Ha is irrigated. Also, more than 30% of the population is entirely dependent on agriculture.

3. Major activities in Agricultural Biotechnology

4. Lebanon is a developing country, with limited capacities, and biotechnology has been included in the structure and agenda of agricultural research institutions in the nineties. • Sanitation and micropropagation by using in vitro techniques to produce certified plant material (true to type and virus free). • Virus detection and identification of new diseases by using conventional and real time PCR. • Immunodiagnosis of viruses using polyclonal antibodies developed against recombinant coat protein. • Identification of candidate genes of Bacillus thuringiensis in the aim of production of biopesticides. • - Characterization of plant genetic resources such as almond, cherry, peach, olive, grapevine, and fig by using molecular markers. • - Selection assisted by molecular markers for wheat (drought tolerance) and tomato (resistance to viruses and fungi).

5. In vitro propagation for the production of certified material“True-to-type and Virus free” • Sanitation by mersitem culture ± thermotherapy • Micropropagation • Application for economically important crops: • - Stone fruits • - Banana • - Strawberry • - Potato • - Caper and ornamentals

6. In vitro propagation of Stone fruits 1 2 3

7. Germplasm Assessment Characterization of plant genetic resources by using molecular markers of - almond, - cherry, - peach, - olive, - grapevine, - fig.

8. Characterization of Plant Genetic Resources

9. Breeding Activities Selection assisted by molecular markers - Wheat (drought tolerance) - Tomato (resistance to viruses and fungi).

10. Identification of Plant Diseases • - Virus detection and identification of new diseases by using conventional and real time PCR - Immunodiagnosis of viruses using polyclonal antibodies developed against recombinant coat protein. Candidatus Phytoplasma Phoenicium (Almond)

11. Activities related to GMOs • More recently, only two activities related to genetic transformation are undergoing in the Lebanese laboratories. - The American University of Beirut (AUB) has undertaken a collaborative program with Arab and American institutions on the transformation of local varieties of tomato in order to improve their resistance to viruses. - The Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute (LARI) has just started a collaborative project with ISAB Beauvais in France for developing a methodology for transformation of local varieties of chick pea, in order to improve their resistance to biotic and abiotic stress. • An accredited laboratory for detection of GMOs has been installed at the American University for Sciences and Technologies and could be functional in 2008.

12. Other activities Identification of candidate genes of Bacillus thuringiensis in the aim of production of biopesticides, Saint Joseph University.

13. Funding Organizations for Biotech-related Projects in LebanonFunding sources and partners are mainly in Europe • National (20%) • Lebanese National Council for Scientific Research • University Research Budget, AUB • Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute • American (30%) • United States Agency for International Development (USAID) • European (45%) • International Centre for Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM) • Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) • European Union (EU) - TEMPUS Projects • French Lebanese CEDRE Projects • University of Patras, Greece

14. Partner Universities / Institutes National Universities / Organizations • American University of Beirut • Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute • Lebanese National Council for Scientific Research • American university for Science and Technology • Lebanese American University • Saint Joseph University • Lebanese University • Kaslik Holly Spirit University USA / Canadian Universities • Ohio State University • University of Toledo, Ohio • University of Laval, Quebec European Universities / Organizations • University of Patras, Greece • University of Lyon • Otto-von Guericke University of Magdeburg • European and Middle Eastern • International Centre for Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM) • Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA)

15. Funding Programs Funding sources and partner universities are mainly in Europe. • The majority of the programs either support the purchase of equipment or research; • Include an educational, training component and PhDs; • Few programs support gathering and generating information (data management and information sharing). Recommendation Need to enhance data management and information sharing to support existing data basis and increase awareness.

16. Current Status of Biosafety FrameworkUNEP-GEF + UNDP + MOE Sub-contracted to IBSAR-AUB Initiative for Biodiversity Studies in the Arid Regions February 2004-July 2005 The development of NBF has been undertaken by the MoE, the implementing agency, through the UNDP, and in turn sub-contracted to IBSAR. The NBF developed for Lebanon included procedures for the safe application of biotechnology in accordance with administrative, legislative, risk assessment and public participation systems.

17. Biosafety Project: Three Phases I- National Surveys • Biotechnology • Existing legislations & policies • Research & Development programs II- Raising Awareness • Workshops (CPB, legislation, policies, biosafety, GMO’s) • Trainings on risk assessment (farmers, scientists, researchers) • Seminars to farmers, schools, universities, stakeholders • Media and TV talk shows • Brochures, project newsletters, awareness booklet • National Biosafety Clearing House (nBCH) III- Development of NBF • Various sources of information (Review on regional status) • Local documents, existing legislations, surveys • Feedback from regular discussion meetings with stakeholders [Gov’t, NGO, private sector], outcome of workshops • Review of international experts (provided by UNEP-Biosafety Unit)

18. National Biosafety FrameworkImplementation ? • NBF: An administrative system drawing on the existence of a NBC and relevant ministries, guided by a law. • A biosafety law is proposed to be adopted for the implementation of the CPB articles. • The Lebanese Parlement didn’t sign the law or ratify the CPB ..

19. Main Constraints • The absence of national programs and the lack of national funds. • The limited capacities in genetic engineering. • The lack of awareness of ongoing biotech activity that dominates the concerned government sectors. • The noted absence of a continuum between academic, government, industry, and public sectors. • The lack of potentially marketable products resulting from biotechnologies that could be used in agriculture industry. • The limited innovation because researchers are not made aware of market needs, and users find few incentives and means to adopt new knowledge and tools. • The lack of procedures for the safe application of biotechnology and genetic engineering in line with Cartagena Protocol of Biosafety. • The political strife in the Middle East and the negative impact it has had on Lebanon for the past three decades.

20. Recommendations for Lebanon • - Build a strong national program on biotechnology. • - Adopt means to bridge the gap between academia, research, industry and government. • - Undertake capacity building for adopting genetic engineering and implementing biosafety laws. • Establish public awareness policy and a “Culture of Research”. • - Build strategies to enhance data management and information sharing. • - Bank on numerous existing expertise, invest in “Centers of Excellence”. • - Initiate and maintain networks with NENA countries that would ensure continued collaboration in issues relating to biotechnology and biosafety.

21. Challenges and Opportunities • Identify promising niches for future R & D investments. • Undertake reforms and establish opportunities to attract biotechnology industry. • Establish the needed infrastructure to support biotechnology research and marketing of products resulting thereof. • Provide support for capacity building to enhance research in agricultural biotechnology.

22. Useful Contacts

23. THANK YOU