+961 8 900 047

lari@lari.gov.lb

LARI-LEB

Tal Amara

Irrigation & Agro-meteorology

About

Department of Irrigation and AgroMeteorology (DIAM) projects to improving irrigation water management for sustainable agriculture in Lebanon, where farmers consumes over 70% of the countries‘ fresh water. DIAM also works inline with the MoA agriculture strategy that it has one of its main aims implementing the UN’s SDG goals.

DIAM carries out research projects, applied research, demonstration plots and trials on crop water requirements. Vegetables, cereals, legumes, fruit trees and ornamentals are among the frequently researched crops. Crop water requirements are based on soil moisture measurements, weighting lysimeter, drainage lysimeters, and measured reference evapotranspiration (ETo).

DIAM works on introducing new irrigation techniques of non-conventional forms. Water Use Efficiency and Water Productivity are among the priority department-research-axes. DIAM is introducing among Lebanese farmers the concept of more crop per drop. Among other DIAM multidisciplinary research programs are (i) increasing the environmental awareness due to water scarcity and heightened long perspectives views for a sustainable irrigated agriculture (ii) describing the current problems deriving from water management in semi-arid ecosystems and propose solutions for their corrections and (iii) providing sound irrigation information to water managers and users. DIAM also works on introducing new techniques of water harvesting and on improving water quality.

Together with other LARI’s stations, DIAM is responsible on maintaining large network of sixty weather stations overall the Lebanese territory. In 2019, weather stations of DIAM cover almost every microclimatic zone of Lebanon. DIAM gathers, collects, stores climatic data and checks on its accuracy.

AgroMeteorology is an integral part of the DIAM’s duties. Weather forecast in direct relation to agriculture, early warning system for pests and diseases (in collaboration with other LARI‘s departments), drought events, irrigation advices reach the Lebanese farmers and society of all levels through LARI-LEB smart phone-app. Nevertheless, LARI-LEB app is free service covered by LARI. DIAM is responsible to function and maintain the LARI-LEB app.

Staff

  • Head of department: Dr. Ihab Jomaa (ijomaa@lari.gov.lb)
  • Sleiman Skaff (Agriculture Engineer)
  • Randa Massaad (Agriculture Engineer)
  • Nisrine Hajj (Telecom Engineer)
  • Rana Lahoud (Topograph)
  • Fatima Hmadeh (Hydro Science)
  • Alissar Mousawi (Hydro Science)
  • Ali Essaid (Technical Assistant)

Publications

  • Jomaa I., Abi Saab M., Hajj N., Skaf S., Massaad R. 2019. Variability in Spatial Distribution of Precipitation Overall Rugged Topography of Lebanon, Using TRMM Images. Atmospheric and Climate Sciences, 9, 369-380.
  • Jomaa I., Khater C. 2019. Mapping Glitches of Juniper Forests in Lebanon under Natural Conditions and Anthropogenic Activities. Open Journal of Forestry, vol 9, #2, 168-181.
  • Jomaa I., others. 2019. National Team Report: Assessing the Impact of Climate Change on Wheat Production under Different Scenarios. Report on application of AquaCrop V6 regarding the area of Tal Amara, Bekaa, Lebanon. In Arabic. Unpublished FAO, ESCWA, ACSAD.
  • Abi Saab M., Jomaa I., Skaf S., Fahed S., Todorovic M. 2019. Assessment of a Smartphone Application for Real-Time Irrigation Scheduling in Mediterranean Environments. Water 252, 11 www.mdpi.com/journal/water
  • Darwish T., Abou Daher M., Jomaa I., Faour G., Awad M., Hamze M. 2018. Soil Forest Ecosystem and Forest Fire Effect on Soil Organic Carbon Stock in Lebanon. Journal of Life Sciences 12 (2018) 47-58.
  • Darwish T., Fadel A., Atallah T., Jomaa I., Baydoun S. 2018. Lebanon. In: Challenges and Opportunities for Crop Production in Dry and Saline Environments in ARASIA Member States. IAEA TecDoc-1841: 46– 62.
  • Marco Consales, Sofia Principe, Antonio Iele, Marco Leone, Haitham Zaraket, Ihab Jomaa, Antonello Cutolo, Andrea Cusano. 2018. A Fiber Bragg Grating Liquid Level Sensor Based on the Archimedes‘ Law of Buoyancy. Journal of Lightwave Technology, 36, 20: 4936-4941.
  • Darwish T., Faour G., Jomaa I. 2018. Landcover for improved mapping of mountain soils using remote sensing. Frontiers. pp 33
  • Verner D., Ashwill M., Cristensen J., Mcdonnel R., Redwood J., Jomaa I., Saade M., Massaad R., Chehade A., Bitar A., Treguer D. 2018. Droughts and Agriculture in Lebanon, causes, consequences and risk management. World Bank Group. pp 116.
  • Jomaa I., Shabaan A. 2018. Improving Water-Use Efficiency and Productivity in the Litani River Basin. In: The Litani River, Lebanon: An Assessment and Current Challenges. Springer International Publishing.
  • I. Jomaa, T. Darwish, A. Fadel, Z. Karim, H. Youssef, T. Atallah, Performance of three genotypes of sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] under saline conditions in coastal Lebanon. LAAS, The 23rd International Science Conference, 6-7 April, 2017, Fanar Lebanese University.
  • T. Darwish, A. Fadel, S. Baydoun, I. Jomaa, S. Chahine and T. Atallah. 2017. Enhancing potato drought tolerance by regulating the potassium level in the soil under limited irrigation. LAAS, The 23rd International Science Conference, 6-7 April, 2017, Fanar Lebanese University.
  • T. Atallah, I. Jomaa, Ali F., H. Khatoun, H. Youssef, T. Darwish. 2017. Performance of two genotypes of millet [Pennisetumglaucum [L] R.Br] in saline conditions, coastal Lebanon. LAAS, The 23 rd International Science Conference, 6-7 April, 2017, Fanar Lebanese University.
  • Jomaa I, Jaubert R. 2017. Improving the irrigation efficiency in the Bekaa Valley. CIHEAM, Watch Letter, no 38.
  • Jomaa I., Salameh G., Murr S., Skaf S., Massaad R. 2016. Groundwater quality Assessment in Central Bekaa. LAAS, The 22 nd International Scientific Conference, USEK, 14-15 April 2016.
  • Darwish T., Fadel A., Baydoun S., Jomaa I., Awad M., Atallah T. 2016. Improving Water Productivity in the Bekaa Valley, the case of Potato Crop. LAAS, The 22 nd International Scientific Conference, USEK, 14-15 April 2016.
  • Jomaa I., Skaf S., Massaad R., Saade Sbeih M., Jaubert. 2015. The Alarming Unstainable Use of Groundwater Resources in Lebanon. Innovate to Improve irrigation performance; Euro-Mediterranean Conference on Irrigation. Montpelier, 11-16 October 2015.
  • Jomaa I., Saade Sbeih M., Jaubert R. 2015. Sharp expansion of extensive groundwater irrigation , semi-arid environment at the northern Bekaa Valley, Lebanon. Natural Resources, 6: 381-390.
  • Darwish T., Fadel A., Baydoun S., Jomaa I., Awad M., Hammoud Z., Halablab O., Therese A. 2015. Potato performance under potassium levels and deficit irrigation in dry sub-humid Mediterranean conditions. International; Potash Institute. E-ifc no: 43.
  • Darwish T., Fadel A., Baydoun S., Jomaa I., Awad M., Hammoud Z., Therese A. 2015. Enhancing potato drought tolerance regulating potassium fertilization and irrigation in Bekaa-Valley-Lebanon. International Conference, IrriMed, CIHEAM-Bari, Italy, 23-25 September, 2015.
  • Jomaa I. 2015. Early Warning System for Lebanon. In the Best Sustainable Development Practices for Food Security (BSDP) of Expo Milano 2015. Feeding Knowledge Programme. www.feedingknowledge.net
  • Awad M,. JOMAA I, Arab F. 2014. Improved Capability in Stone Pine Forest Mapping and Management in Lebanon Using Hyperspectral CHRIS-Proba Data Relative to Landsat ETM+. Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing, V80, numb 8. 725-732.
  • Dariwsh T., Faour G., Jomaa I. 2014. Soil Forest Association as a Key to Soil Mapping From Satellite Image. 20th LAAS International Science Conference, Advanced Research for Better Tomorrow. Lebanese University, Hadath Beirut, 27- 29 March, 2014.
  • Darwish T., Abou Daher M., Jomaa I., Faour G., Awad M., Hamze M. 2014. Soil Forest Ecosystem and Forest Fire Effect on Soil Organic Carbon Stock in Lebanon. 20th LAAS International Science Conference, Advanced Research for Better Tomorrow. Lebanese University, Hadath Beirut, 27- 29 March, 2014.
  • Jomaa I., Younes M., Harfouche E., Skaf S., Massaad R., Hajj Sleimen R., Mounzer O. 2013. Effect of Two Different Irrigation Techniques and The Application Of The Partial Root Zone Drying Technique on Potato Crop. 1st CIGR Inter-Regional Conference on Land and Water Challenges-Bari, 10-14 September, ITALY.
  • Darwish T., Jomaa I., Atallah T., Skaf S., Massaad R. 2013. Response of Two Wheat Varieties to Potassium Application under Different Rates of Supplemental Irrigation. IPNC 2013, XVII International Plant Nutrition Colloquium, Plant Nutrition for Nutrient and Food Security. 19-22 August, Istanbul, Turkey.
  • Khater C., El-Hajj R., Jomaa I., Darwish T. 2012. Orienting Forests’ National Conservation and Management Policies in view of the plodding effects of climate change in Lebanon. Submitted.
  • Jomaa I., Skaf S., Massaad R., Elhaj N. 2011. Variabilité climatique au Liban. Actes de Coloque; Environnement et Gestion Durable de Ecosystemes Naturels au Moyen-Orient. 18-20 avril, 2011, AUF, Beirut.
  • Snyder R.L., Song Z., Jomaa I., Moratiel R., Swelam A., Shapland T. 2011. Evaporation Response to Climate Change. Proc. XXVIII, IHC – IS on Water Use in a Changing World. Eds J.E. Fernandez and M.I. Ferreira. Acta Hort 922, ISHS 2011.
  • Darwish T., Atallah T., Francis R., Saab C., Jomaa I., Shaaban A., Sakka H., Zdruli P. 2011. Observations on soil and groundwater contamination with nitrate: A case study from Lebanon-East Mediterranean. Agriculture Water Management, 99, 74 – 84.
  • Jomaa I., Auda Y. 2010. Contribution of Topographically Explicit Descriptors of Landscape Measures for Application in the Vector Data Environment. Journal of Geographic Information System, 2, 170-175.
  • Hajar, L., François, L., Khater, C., Jomaa, I., Déqué, M., Cheddadi, R. 2010. Cedrus libani (A. Rich) distribution in Lebanon: past, present and future. Comptes Rendus Biologies, 333, 622 – 630.
  • Darwish, T., Jomaa, I., and Abou Daher, M. 2010. Assessment and mapping of available potassium in Lebanese soils. International symposium on: “Soil Management and Potash Fertilizer Uses in WANA Region”. Antalia, Turkey 22-25 November, P. 34.
  • Darwish, T., Khater, C., Jomaa, I., Stehouwer, R. 2010. Environmental impact of quarries on natural resources in Lebanon. Land degradation and development. DOI: 10.1002/ldr.1011
  • T. Darwish, R. Stehouwer, C. Khater, I. Jomaa, D. Miller. 2010. Rehabilitation of Deserted Quarries in Lebanon to initial Land Cover or Alternative Land Uses. In: Land Degradation and Desertification: Assessment, Mitigation and Remediation (Zdruli, Pagliai, Kapur and Faz Cano (Eds). Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg New York *ISBN-13:* 978-9048186563.
  • Jomaa I., Auda Y., Hamze M., Abi Saleh B., Safi S. 2009. Analysis of Eastern Mediterranean oak forests over the period 1965-2003 using landscape indices on a patch basis. Landscape Research, 34 (1), 105 – 124.
  • Jomaa I., 2008. Analyse diachronique de la fragmentation des forêt du Liban. Thèse doctorat, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse III.
  • Jomaa I., Auda Y., Abi Saleh B., Hamze M., Safi S. 2008. Landscape spatial dynamics over 38 years under natural and anthropogenic pressures in Mount Lebanon. Landscape and Urban Planning, 87, 67-75.
  • Darwish, M.T, Stehouwer, R., Miller, D., Jomaa, I. Shaban, A. Khater, C. & Hamzé, M. 2008. Reclamation of abandoned quarries and assessment of alternative land cover use in Lebanon, East Mediterranean. Joint 25th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation and 10th Meeting of the International Affiliation of Land Reclamationists (IALR). Richmond, Virginia 14-19 June 2008.
  • Darwish T. M., Atallah T., Jomaa I., Itani L., Francis R. 2008. Environmental Risks of Nitrates Buildup in the Soil-Groundwater System in Central Bekaa Area. Abstract in: The 15th Science Meeting, Science in the 21st Century, 14 November, 2008. The Lebanese Association for the Advancement of Science (LAAS).
  • Darwish T.M., Stehouwer R., Miller D., Sloan J., Jomaa I., Shaban A., Khater C., Hamze H. Assessment of Abandoned Quarries for Revegetation and Water Harvesting in Lebanon, East Mediterranean. 2008. National Meeting of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation, Richmond VA, New
  • Opportunities to Apply Our Science, June 14-19, 2008. R.I. Barnhisel (Ed). Published by ASMR, 3134 Montavesta Rd., Lexington, KY 40502.
  • Jomaa I., Auda Y., Khater C. 2007. Contribution to the characteriszation of forest fragmentation on the Eastern flank of Mount Lebanon over 33 years. Lebanese Science Journal, 8 (2), 59-74.
  • Darwish T., Jomaa I., Awad M., Aboudaher M., and Msann J. 2005. Inventory and management of Lebanese soils integrating the soil geographical database of Euro-Mediterranean countries. Lebanese Science Journal 6 (2), 57-70.
  • Darwish, T., Muller, W., Hobler, W. and Jomaa, I. 2004. Approach to assess soil contamination II:Evaluation of heavy metal contamination of main arable LebaneseLands. 8th International Meeting on Soils with Mediterranean Type of Climate. 9-11 February. Marrakech (Morocco). Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II. Association Marocaine des Sciences du Sol. Ecole nationale d‘Agriculture de Meknès. Morocco Watershed Protection and Mangement. USAID. Institut Mondial du Phosphate. ImprimElite, salé (Maroc). 131-133.
  • Darwish, T., Jomaa, I., Khawlie, M., Muller, H.W., and Moller, A. 2004. Heavy metals content and bioavailability in central Bekaa, Lebanon. Workshop “safe Use of Groundwater and Soil Resources for Sustainable Development in the Arab Region”. Damascus, Syria: March, 1-3. Darwich, M., Khawlie, M., Faour, G., Masri, T., Haddad, T., Awad, M., Bou Kheir, R., Sha‘aban, A., Jomaa,
  • I, Abdallah, C., 2003. Dynamic factors of land degradation in Lebanon. Workshop on ecosystem- based assessment of soil degradation to favilitate land users‘ and land owners‘ prompt actions ECOLAND, Adana, Turkey, 2-7/6/2003.
  • Jomaa, I., Bou Kheir, R. 2003. Multitemporal unsupervised classification and NDVI to monitor land cover change in Lebanon. Options Méditerranéenes série B, n° 46 : 43 49. Gitas, I.Z., Mitri, G. H., Babosa, P. M., Jomaa, I., Papageorgiou, C. and Turk, T. 2003. Land cover change detection using NOAA AVHRR images taken from 1989 to 2002 for the eastern part of the Mediterranean region as a tool to support decision-making. Options Méditerranéenes série B, n°46 : 51 – 55.
  • Darwish T., Jomaa I., Shaban A. and Khawlie M. 2003. Pressure on groundwater and soil quality in central Bekaa, Lebanon: the need for monitoring, protection and regulations. Technical, Legal and Institutonal Aspects for the protection of Groundwater and Soil Resources”. ACSAD, BGR and MAEWR workshop. Tunisia 6-9, October 2003.
  • Darwish, T., Khawlie, M., Jomaa, I., Awad, M., Abou Daher, M., and Zdruli, P. 2002. Asurvey to Upgrade Information for Soil Mapping and Management in Lebanon. Options Méditerranéenes série A n.50. 7th International Meeting on Soils with Mediterranean type of Climate.
  • Khawlie, M., Hansmann, B., Darwish, T., Haddad, T., Jomaa, I., Bou Kheir, R., 2002. Enhancing the role of remote sensing for encountering desertification in Lebanon. Remote Sensing for Developing Countries-2nd Workshop EARSeL–Bonn, 18-20 September 2002.
  • Salleo, S., Hamzé, M., Jomaa, I., Pitt, F., Nardini, A., 2002. Difference drought resistance of two Mediterranean oaks growing in the Bekaa Valley (Lebanon). Plant Biosystem, 136 (1), 91-100.
  • Darwish T., Zdruli P., Khawlie M., Jomaa I., Aboudaher M., Bou kheir R., Awad, M.,. 2001. Upgrading soil information and mapping for soil management in Lebanon. 7th International Meeting of Soils with Mediterranean Type of Climate. Valenzano, Bari-Italy, 23-28 September 2001. Book of extended abstracts: 100-102.
  • Darwish, T., Jomaa, I., 2001. Inventory and management of soil resources using the soil geographical database at 1:1million scale-Lebanon. 7th Intentional Meeting of Soils with Mediterranean Type of Climate, IAM-Bari, Italy, 23-28 September 2001.
  • Darwish, T.M., Khawlie, M., Masri, T., Faour, G., Awad, M., Jomaa, I., 2000. Producing the soil map of Lebanon and the SOil-TERrain database (SOTER at 1:50 000). The 14th Science Meeting organized by C.N.R.S.L. (Lebanese National Council for Scientific Research) and LAAS (Lebanese Association for the Advancement of Science), 23-25 November 2000.
  • Darwish, T.M., Khawlie, M., Jomaa, I., 2000e. Evaluation of pollution levels in soil in the Central Bekaa Valley. Soil and water vulnerability to pollution-project in Bekaa plain, Zahlé area. Workshop on “Soil and Groundwater Vulnerability to Contamination“, Beirut, Lebanon.
  • Darwish, T.M., Jomaa, I., 2000d. Vulnerability of soil resources to heavy metals contamination in Central Bekaa-Lebanon. The 14th Science Meeting organized by C.N.R.S.L. (Lebanese National Council for Scientific Research) and LAAS (Lebanese Association for the Advancement of Science), 23-25 November 2000.
  • Darwish, T.M., Jomaa, I., 2000c. Fifty years of urban expansion of Tripoli: Degradational impact on land. Workshop on GIS Role in Urban Management and Planning, GIS 2000.
  • Darwish, T.M., Jomaa, I., 2000b. Modeling of the heavy metals from soil to groundwater. Workshop on “Soil and Groundwater Vulnerability to Contamination“, Beirut, Lebanon.
  • Darwish, T.M., Jomaa, I., 2000a. Concepts of mapping of groundwater vulnerability to pollution in the project area. Soil and water vulnerability to pollution-project in Bekaa plain, Zahle area. Workshop on “Soil and Groundwater Vulnerability to Contamination“, Beirut, Lebanon.
  • Darwish, T.M., Khawlie, M., Jomaa, I., 1999. Nature and extend of pollution of land resources in Central Beqa’a, Lebanon. ICS-UNIDO, Workshop on Remediation Technologies: applicability and economic viability in Northern Africa and the Middle East, Environmental Hazard Mitigation Center, Cairo University, 24-28 October 1999.
  • Jomaa, I., 1993. Irrigation project: water from the dam to the farmer, Bari, Italy. Unpublished B.S. Thesis.
  • Jomaa, I., 1994. Nitrogen-Fertigation: Maize response to ammonium nitrate fertilizers. Unpublished M.S. Thesis.