Countywide : Symposium to Focus on Desert Farming

Long-term solutions to the problems of hunger and starvation in desert areas of the globe will be the topics of “Arid Lands Agriculture--The Solution to World Hunger,” an international symposium, from 9 a.m. to noon Sunday at the Irvine Marriott Hotel.

A presentation of the Orange County chapter of American Associates of the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, the symposium will feature speakers from around the world discussing and evaluating potential solutions to the problems of farming arid sections of the earth.

Solutions include seawater irrigation, heightened use of camel milk and meat and the development of crops that can thrive in otherwise barren areas.

John M. Rau, chairman of the Orange County chapter, called the potential solutions “exciting (because) with 30% of the world’s land mass now desert or near-desert, we are in desperate need of long-term solutions to the age-old problem of hunger and drought in the deserts of Third World countries.”

Experts from the United States, Mexico, Egypt, England and Israel will discuss potential solutions.

Ben-Gurion University’s scientific research team was founded in 1969 to bring new life to the Negev desert, and has become a laboratory for developing arid nations the world over, Rau said. Through its efforts, the technology and expertise to make the desert bloom are being developed.

The symposium is sponsored by San Diego State University, Cal State Fullerton and UC Irvine. There is no charge, but reservations are required. A luncheon from 12:30 to 2 p.m. will feature UC Riverside Chancellor Daniel G. Aldrich Jr. as guest speaker. Cost for the luncheon is $20.

For reservations or more information, call 863-1081.