The International Center for Biosaline Agriculture(ICBA) is an international, non-profit agricultural research center established in 1999 through the visionary leadership of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Fund, the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD), and the Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). ICBA is a unique applied agricultural research center in the world that is focused on marginal areas where an estimated 1.7 billion people live. It identifies, tests and introduces resource-efficient, climate-smart crops and technologies that are best suited to different regions affected by salinity, water scarcity and drought. Through its work, ICBA helps to improve food security and livelihoods for some of the poorest rural communities around the world. ICBA is an equal opportunity employer and appoints qualified staff regardless of race, creed, color, age, gender, religion or national origin. We demonstrate our commitment to each member of our team through a competitive benefits package designed to assist our employees to cover their needs and the needs of their immediate family members.
ICBA is developing, testing, and validating early detection systems for the Red Palm Weevil (RPW) and field evaluation of remote sensing technology to locate palms and detect early RPW infestations. One of the main activities of this project is conducting experiments to test and validate early detection sensors at the field level for their practicability and accuracy.
A field experiment will be conducted at ICBA's farm to test a situ sensor Palmear to be installed on the palm trees (another sensor will be tested-under discussion with company). Thirty palms (randomized) will be studied (20 infested plus 10 healthy). Land Preparation is already started, and the field is ready to plant seedlings in block one at ICBA's site. RPW infestation will begin in May, while remote sensing and drone flying will start in June and July. The seedlings variety is Khalas, with the age of the palms 5-8 years, and height of the trunk not less than 1.5-1.8 meters. The infestation is recommended to be at a height not exceeding one meter from the ground, which is in the zone below one meter high where infestation generally starts. Sensors should be placed on the other side of the places where the larvae will be placed, and these should be set as low as possible.
Standard methods of infestation will be made with 3rd instar larvae (not adults). Two levels of infestations are planned (5 and 10 larvae).
Nutrient Management, water management, etc., will be unified across the sites.
Drone Flying will be done at the ICBA's site from June 2023 onwards.
The consultant will support the ICBA team in implementing the field experiment, and will advise on acoustic detection.
The consultant will train the ICBA’s technisions on the infestation.
The consultant will recommend the data structure for reporting in situ observations, which will be consistently followed throughout the project phase.
More specifically, the consultant will be mainly responsible for conducting the following tasks:
- Prior experience working in similar field
