Knowledge Management Portal

The prickly pear Opuntia ficus-indica L. has an important economic role as a source of food for human consumption, for cosmetic and pharmaceutical purposes, and as fodder for livestock in Morocco. This crop is now attacked by a new sap-sucking insect pest, the wild-scale Dactylopius opuntiae (Cockerell). The aim of this study was to investigate the insecticidal potential of essential oils as alternative to synthetic insecticides for the control of D. opuntiae nymphs and adult females under laboratory and field conditions. Results revealed that Mentha pulegium and Origanum vulgare oils provided a rich source of bioactive compounds and exhibited high contact toxicity against D. opuntiae. In addition, M. pulegium and O. vulgaris oils applied in combination with black soap induced the highest toxic activity on adult females under field conditions. Abstract: The carmine cochineal Dactylopius opuntiae (Cockerell) is the major insect pest of the prickly- pear cactus Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) in Morocco. The present study investigated the insecticidal activities of six essential oils (EOs) against nymphs and adult females of D. opuntiae applied singly or in combination with a detergent under laboratory and field conditions. Under laboratory conditions, M. pulegium and O. vulgare L. essential oils showed a high level of insecticidal activity at 5%, with 98% and 92% females’ mortality, respectively, 5 days after treatments. The M. pulegium and O. vulgaris oils at 5% applied in combination with black soap at (60 g/L) induced the highest toxic activity on adult females, 100% and 96% at 5 days after treatments, respectively. Under field conditions, M. pulegium and O. vulgare oils at 5% in combination with black soap (60 g/L) showed the highest adult female mortalities with 96.33 and 92.56%, respectively, 7 days after the first application. The double application of M. pulegium oil at 5% significantly increased the mortality of adult females up to 91%, 5 days after the second spray. GC-MS analysis revealed that the most abundant constituent of M. pulegium and O. vulgare oils was pulegone (84.69%) and durenol (76.53%), respectively. These findings showed that the use of M. pulegium and O. vulgare in combination with black soap or in double sprays could be incorporated in the management package for the control of the wild cochineal D. opuntiae, as a safe and natural alternative to chemical insecticides

Marginal arid zones in the south Mediterranean are faced with the dramatic departure of their labor forces through migration. Interest in the capacity of the dromedary species to enhance desert ecosystems and to be a potential lever of economic development of these marginal zones only started to grow in the last two decades. Based on an empirical survey of 179 stakeholders in four Mediterranean countries, we explored the links of the stakeholders in the dromedary sector in two dimensions: horizontal links with peers and vertical links along the value chain and in resource management. Both descriptive statistics and social network analysis highlight the original organization of the dromedary sector around herders and their social and cultural organization at the territorial level. Therefore, even if milk production and processing start to constitute an opportunity for the young generation who do not necessarily have the financial capacity to invest in a large dromedary herd, this change towards milk valorization can only happen if it is linked with the traditional system based on mobility. Using a systemic approach and working toward multiple valorizations of dromedary products instead of only targeting milk productivity should be explored.

The Republic of Moldova promoting agriculture, women empowerment, youth, knowledge management, and best practices through Learning Route.

The Republic of Moldova promoting agriculture, women empowerment, youth, knowledge management, and best practices through Learning Route

IDIS is a multi-issue think tank, working through a web of professional clusters. Our approach to the idea of think tanks role in Moldova is to achieve professional credibility in the areas of national security, welfare, foreign policy, sustainable development, and competitiveness, fairness, working both with decision-makers, academia, and young leaders, creating real alternatives in all aspects of policy-making. IDIS cares to boost advocacy platforms; it networks with various professional groups, unions, business associations, innovators, educators, and other entities, in a number of areas where national interests and cohesion can be achieved in togetherness.

IFAD Consolidated Programme Implementation Unit ( CPIU IFAD) was created by the Government of the Republic of Moldova for the implementation of IFAD programmes, after the accession of the Republic of Moldova to the International Agricultural Development Fund in 1996. The components of the IFAD programs shall be implemented in accordance with the procedures established and approved by the IFAD in agreement with the Government of the Republic of Moldova. CPIU IFAD shall be responsible for the management, implementation, and monitoring of the activities of the programs as well as the coordination of activities with the institutions and organizations participating in the implementation of the programs.

Women’s representation in Moldovan politics and decision-making processes is below international benchmarks. According the national survey, 60.3% of population believes that men are better political leaders than women, or women do not have the same rights as men. In the case of the leaders of economic and social units the differences in gender aspect are more pronounced. Of the total number of local entrepreneurs, the main share is formed of men (72.5%); the share of women constitutes only 27.5%. Thus, the number of male entrepreneurs is 2.6 times higher than that of the number of female entrepreneurs.

CIHEAM-Bari Institute, aerial view.