As Mediterranean agriculture faces intensifying climate challenges, two complementary EU-funded projects—4CE-MED and WATERMELLON—are joining forces to promote innovative, sustainable, and resilient farming systems for smallholder farmers across the region.
Both projects are funded by the PRIMA (Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area) programme and bring together a strong network of shared partners committed to advancing agricultural innovation in the Mediterranean, including the University of Bologna (UNIBO), CRES, CREA, Iniciativas Innovadoras, INRAT, ICARDA, and Cooperativas Agroalimentarias de España.
The 4CE-MED project, which concluded in May 2024, addressed the underutilization of Conservation Agriculture (CA) systems in the Mediterranean, particularly among smallholder farmers. Through the introduction of camelina as a cash cover crop, development of site-specific cropping systems, and extensive stakeholder collaboration, 4CE-MED demonstrated the agronomic and economic viability of CA systems adapted to local conditions. Training activities and farmer engagement were central to the project’s success, fostering greater awareness and uptake of sustainable practices.
Building on this foundation, the newly launched WATERMELLON project takes the next step in climate adaptation by focusing on water scarcity, one of the most pressing issues in the region. WATERMELLON aims to revitalize ancestral water-harvesting techniques, combine them with nature-based solutions, and promote the use of drought-tolerant crops and smart irrigation. Its goal is to strengthen the resilience of Mediterranean agriculture while ensuring food security and environmental sustainability.
Together, 4CE-MED and WATERMELLON form a strategic continuum, united by a shared vision: empowering smallholder farmers through science-based, low-impact, and locally adapted farming solutions. Their synergy showcases how coordinated research and innovation can respond to the urgent challenges posed by climate change and resource scarcity in the Mediterranean.
Stay tuned for updates on WATERMELLON’s progress and continued collaboration among PRIMA-funded initiatives committed to shaping the future of Mediterranean agriculture.