The second of the 5 webinars to be implemented as part of the MEADE network, will take place on the 9th November 2023 (10:00 -12:00 CET) and the topic “How can we promote the development and marketing of agro-ecological products in peri-urban areas?” will be discussed. Access the agenda of the event in English or in French to have more information and to be able to register to participate.
NATAE (Fostering agroecology transition in North Africa through multi-actor, evaluation, and networking) is an awarded project under the Horizon Europe programme. Set in motion in December 2022, NATAE will run for the next three years with aim to foster the adoption of science-based, locallytailored and co-designed agroecology strategies in North Africa. This is planned by creating a comprehensive and quantitative baseline on agroecology, providing a shared understanding, multidimensional performance measures, and analyses of agroecology potential for meeting consumers demand on the market. Coordinated by CIHEAM Montpellier, NATAE gathers 22 partners including research and education institutions from around the Mediterranean, international organizations, specialized NGOs and local associations with the participation of the private sector1 […]
Description of the work package and tasks
Under NATAE’s Work Package 4, a Living-Lab is set up in Egypt in the area of Luxor in order to identify
and evaluate, through a multi-actor participatory approach, the most suitable AE strategies for various
farming systems. Using the framework developed in WP1 and methodology defined in WP2 and WP3,
WP4 will identify most promising combinations of AEP and AE strategies, in representative farming
systems in Luxor, through an interactive multi-actor approach.
The Living-Lab will gather actors from a range of complementary profiles and perspectives on
agroecological transition, including farmers, farm household members, industries, administrations,
NGOs, consumer organisations, research institutions and local advisory services. The governance of
the Living Lab will include a Representative Board consisting of 8-12 people who represent the
diversity of actors in the Living-Lab, and a number of stakeholder groups, as locally relevant.
Under WP4, an entity (hereinafter ‘Service provider’) specialized in multi-actor group organization
and moderation, with focus on North Africa, is needed to implement and monitor the Living-Lab in
Luxor and to join efforts with the WP leader (Wageningen University) and project coordinator (CIHEAMIAMM).
Deadline for submission: the 15th. November 2023 at 12 pm (Paris time)
Proposals should be submitted in English by email with the subject “NATAE Living-Lab Egypt.
Proposal” addressed to:
Hatem BELHOUCHETTE, NATAE Scientific Member: belhouchette@iamm.fr
Georgios KLEFTODIMOS, NATAE Scientific Member: kleftodimos@iamm.fr
🔎 Here is the Term of reference.
On the 5th of October, researchers, representative board members, farmers and representative of ICARDA gathered for the Living Lab launch in the peri-urban area of Meknes, in the valley of the river Ouislane. In this area farmers cultivate vegetables supplemented by tree crop cultivation and livestock rearing.
The launch meeting took place on a local farm offering outdoor environmental education activities for children and their families. Participants were welcomed with tea and breakfast and some opening words by professors of ENA and the regional representative of the National Agricultural Counsel Office (ONCA). He is engaged in the Association Nord de Plaisance (ANDPE), a local environmental organization, and emphasized the value of protecting the agricultural use in the valley.
The group headed out for a transect walk through farmer fields distributed along the river. The experience of the transect walk was appreciated by the farmers and it was considered very useful since it gave them an overall idea of what is happening in their valley rather than focusing on each one plots. Interactions evolved around the maintenance of available water sources and irrigation channels, the biological regulation of weeds and pests but also the usage of spontaneous vegetation in local dishes.
After the transect walk the participants gathered at the local agritourist farm below pavilions constructed using locally sourced reed sticks, a plant which grows vividly along the river. Sheltered from the hot sun, participants reflected on the observations made during the transect walk and discussed opportunities for action in the area. The participants showed interest in experimenting with crop association and agroforestry arrangements, organic fertilization with composts, and efficient water use techniques. A closer organization of farmers and developing touristic and culinary activities was also discussed. The meeting ended with a shared lunch and the exchange of ideas and contacts under the shadow.
Pictures from the Living Lab Launch in Ouislane, Meknès
In the first week of October, our partner, the École Nationale d’Agriculture de Meknès (ENA), organized the launches of the NATAE Living Labs in Morocco. A small group of visiting researchers from Wageningen University and CIHEAM IAMM Montpellier appreciated the opportunity to participate during these two launches.
On the 4th of October the Living Lab launch took place in the mountainous agricultural community of Skoura M’Daz, where farmers cultivate tree crops (mainly olive, but also fruit trees) often in combination with fodder crops, vegetables and livestock keeping. The team of researchers and a number of around 10 interested farmers was welcomed by the local representative board with Moroccan tea and breakfast in the Community Centre. After this warm welcome and a introduction into the goals and scope of the NATAE-project by the Living Lab leader, Pr. Ghizlane Echchgadda, the group of participants headed out to the upstream plateau of the area, where the small village Tadoute is located. The well-acquainted farmers of the area guided the group to visit farmer’s fields partially following the track of local irrigation channels. This transect walk enabled lively interactions and discussion among participants around issues on irrigation water management and the distribution of water between upstream and downstream areas, and on valorizing the rich biodiversity resources of the area including diversified fruit (apple, cherry, quince and others) and olive orchards, and spontaneous and cultivated aromatic and medicinal plants.
During the hot hours of the afternoon, participants gathered in the house of one representative board member for a recapitulation of the observations made in the field and for sharing a traditional Moroccan lunch with Pastilla and Tajine. Stakeholders highlighted favorable aspects of the region during their discussions, such as the availability of water resources, diverse agroforestry arrangements, the absence of chemical inputs, and the presence of local know-how. The participants demonstrated a keen interest in experimenting with new crop associations, agroforestry with using aromatic and medicinal plants as intercrops, organic fertilization utilizing compost, integrated pest management and the efficient utilization of water.
Pictures from the LL Launch in Skoura M’Daz
On the 30th of September, the El-Boghdady Living Lab in Luxor, Egypt, organized its inaugural event, bringing together a group of 20 enthusiastic participants. This event united a diverse array of stakeholders, with 15 farmers, representatives from the University of Aswan, the Governorate of Upper Egypt, and two Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). Here, the farmers are cultivating mostly sugarcane, cereals for self-consumption and fodder for animal feed.
The event commenced with opening remarks delivered by Othman Elsheikh, a representative from the Egyptian Association for Sustainable Development. He address set the stage for discussions and underscored the significance of sustainable agriculture in the region. Subsequently, a briefing on the NATAE-project was delivered, accompanied by the introduction of the representative board members. This board is entrusted with the responsibility of facilitating discussions and making crucial decisions concerning agroecology within the broader context of the food system. At the farm level, farmers will play a pivotal role in influencing the selection and testing of agroecological practices, ensuring their active involvement and voice in shaping these practices.
During this gathering, the primary focus was on discussing two key value chains: cereals for self-consumption and sugarcane sold directly to the state. These value chains hold great importance for the local agricultural economy and sustainability endeavours. Then, a visit to the to the farmers’ fields were performed, where valuable observations and discussions were emerged around the main issues they are facing, such as water shortage, low profitability, and soil salinity. Moreover, participants actively identified and discussed a range of agroecological practices essential for promoting sustainability in the El-Boghdady region. These practices encompass long crop rotations, soil moisture conservation techniques, and on-farm water storage and are pivotal in addressing the distinct agricultural and environmental challenges specific to the area. Thus, more discussions are foreseen in which researchers and local actors meet and exchange knowledge.
The involvement of various stakeholders, including farmers, academic institutions, government representatives, and NGOs, reflects a collaborative approach to addressing agricultural and sustainability issues in the Luxor region. This event likely marked the inception of a promising initiative poised to bring about positive changes in Luxor’s agricultural landscape.
The first of the 5 webinars to be implemented as part of the MEADE network, will take place on the 24th October 2023 (10:00 -12:00 CET) and the topic “How to enhance the role of women in mountain agroforestry systems in North Africa?” will be discussed. Access the agenda of the event in English or in French to have more information and to be able to register to participate.
As part of the NATAE project, the MEDAE network (MEDiterranean multiactor network on AgroEcology) is organising a series of 5 webinars to enable researchers, farmers and development operators to discuss the obstacles, levers and challenges of agroecological transition in 5 representative agrosystems in North Africa: agroforests in mountainous regions, oases, cereal plains, peri-urban areas and irrigated valleys.
The calendar for the webinars is as follows:
The participation is open to everyone that might be interested/is curious in learning more about the topics covered and it is totally free, you just need to register.
The events will be translated into English and French.
Additional information on the webinars in English and French.
We will publish detailed information about each of the webinars and how to register very soon.
NATAE (Fostering agroecology transition in North Africa through multi-actor, evaluation, and
networking) is a Research and Innovation project under the Horizon Europe programme funded by
the European Union. NATAE will run for four years (December 2022-November 2026) with the aim to
foster the adoption of science-based, locally-tailored and co-designed agroecology strategies in North Africa. This is planned by creating a comprehensive and quantitative baseline on agroecology, providing a shared understanding, multidimensional performance measures, and analyses of agroecology potential for meeting consumers demand on the market.
Main tasks
The role of the Expert(s) will be to provide in-depth expertise in social acceptability at different stages
of NATAE project, ensuring the coordination and completion of T3.3, under the leadership of CIHEAM
IAMM.
The Expert(s) will be requested to:
1. Elaborate a tailored methodology to assess social acceptability in NATAE project.
2. Prepare detailed data collection tools, such as interviews or focus group guidelines.
3. Test and Implement the research, providing an in-depth focus on social acceptability, on
one or two of the abovementioned Living Lab(s) in agreement and close cooperation with
the Living Lab leader.
4. Refine the methodology and data collection tools based on the first implementation
phase
5. Train researchers designated by the Living Labs leaders in the implementation of the refined
research.
6. Oversee and support the implementation of the research on social acceptability for the
whole project. This includes:
• answering questions which may arise from the implementation of the research in any
Living Lab area;
• fostering collective work, partners dialogue and coherent implementation of the
overall task T3.3, in close coordination with CIHEAM-IAMM and WP3 leader
(University of Thessaly);
• ensuring the quality and consistency of the relevant contributions to project
deliverables as listed below in the section on “Deliverables”.
7. Review analyses on social acceptability developed in Living Lab areas
8. Produce transversal analyses necessary to the deliverables listed in the section below
Proposals should be submitted in English by email with the subject “NATAE Social Acceptability Expertise Proposal” addressed to:
Rita Jalkh, NATAE Project Manager: jalkh@iamm.fr and
Melanie Requier-Desjardins, NATAE Scientific Coordinator: requier@iamm.fr
For more information on the submission of proposals, please refer to the terms of Reference
Additional information on NATAE project can also be found on NATAE website: https://www.natae-agroecology.eu/