MELSpace (Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning)
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Prioritizing sustainability in Tunisia’s dairy sector: a Delphi-AHP framework for indicators and actors
No full textThe lack of a comprehensive assessment framework limits the effective monitoring of the sustainability of Tunisia’s dairy sector. This study developed and prioritized key sustainability indicators for the dairy value chain in northeastern Tunisia using a rigorous, participatory, mixed-methods approach. From 2021 to 2023, we conducted a Delphi process with fourteen agri-food experts, building on the initial input of seventy stakeholders, to reach a consensus on the most relevant indicators. The Delphi process yielded sixty-five consensus-based indicators including economic, social, environmental, and governance dimensions. In the second phase, we used the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to systematically weigh sustainability criteria with twenty-six stakeholders representing the entire value chain. Results revealed clear priorities across all four dimensions. In the economic sphere, there was a strong consensus on financial indicators such as “income per liter of milk” and “production costs”. From a social perspective, the wellbeing and financial autonomy of farming families were identified as key concerns. In the environmental sphere, the consensus emphasized indicators aligned with sustainable resource management, such as soil conservation and legume promotion. In the governance sphere, effective management and knowledge dissemination were deemed essential, and information sharing and respect for employee rights were highlighted as key components. This integrated Delphi–AHP approach provides a robust, context-sensitive framework to support evidence-based decision-making and to promote the sustainability of Tunisia’s vital dairy value chain
Cost-benefit analysis of the agroecological transition in irrigated olive growing: lessons from the Elles community, Kef
No full textThe olive oil sector occupies a strategic position in Tunisia, contributing around 17% of agricultural added value and supporting employment, food security, and export development. However, the dominant production system, characterized by intensive input use and heavy pressure on water and soil resources, is increasingly unsustainable under climate change, economic uncertainty, and environmental degradation. This study evaluates the adoption of agroecological practices for olive farming using a Cost–Benefit Analysis (CBA), which systematically examines all costs and benefits to determine economic feasibility and long-term sustainability. The analysis considers both financial and environmental factors, providing a holistic assessment of the agroecological model. The objective is to assess profitability and environmental impact over a ten-year period, a timeframe recommended by experts from the Olivier Institute to capture medium- to long-term outcomes. Key financial indicators, including the internal rate of return (IRR) and net present value (NPV), are used to measure economic viability, while complementary evaluations address environmental benefits. By combining economic and ecological assessments, the study provides evidence to guide informed decision-making and support the development of sustainable, resilient, and environmentally responsible olive oil production in Tunisia
Scoping Study on Strategic Value Chains, Food Loss and Waste and Water Productivity in Tunisia
No full textThis scoping study investigates the critical intersections between agricultural value chains, food loss and waste (FLW), and water productivity within the context of Tunisia’s severe water scarcity and climate vulnerability. Against a backdrop of renewable water resources falling below 500 m³ per capita and projected rainfall declines, the research synthesizes academic and grey literature to align agricultural development with environmental constraints. The analytical framework integrates global value chain theory, sustainable FLW concepts, and water footprint assessment methodologies, focusing specifically on strategic sectors such as olive oil, dates, cereals, and dairy. By reviewing existing assessment methods—ranging from SWOT and MACTOR stakeholder analyses to Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) and volumetric water accounting—the study evaluates how production, processing, and consumption behaviours impact resource efficiency across the country’s primary agricultural systems.
The analysis reveals deep structural interdependencies where water productivity and food loss are mutually reinforcing challenges. The findings highlight that crop production accounts for the vast majority of Tunisia's national water footprint, with blue water consumption in irrigated areas frequently exceeding sustainable renewable limits. While technologies like drip irrigation and two-phase olive oil extraction offer pathways to improved physical water productivity, the report identifies a "sustainability paradox" where private irrigation efficiency increases individual farm profitability but drives collective aquifer depletion. Furthermore, the study redefines food loss and waste in the Tunisian context to include not only physical post-harvest losses caused by aging infrastructure but also systemic misalignments between production and market requirements which result in the significant wastage of embedded blue and green water.
Despite the economic importance of these strategic chains, the study identifies critical knowledge gaps, including inconsistent FLW quantification methods and a lack of granular, region-specific water productivity data for non-export crops. Current research tends to treat value chains, water use, and waste in isolation, failing to capture the cascade effects where upstream production inefficiencies lead to downstream resource waste. Consequently, the study emphasizes the urgent need for integrated, multi-scale analytical frameworks that combine physical water metrics with economic value assessments. It suggests that future strategies must prioritize institutional coordination between production and processing nodes, standardize measurement protocols, and leverage virtual water concepts to reconcile national food security goals with the arid-zone limitations
C14 Farmers Digital Bulletin
No full textAs part of the MountainHER project (PRIMA 2022–2025), six national farmers digital bulletins were published in 2025 in the local language to provide detailed guidance to farmers that wish to apply the agro-ecological principles validated under MountainHER
Surveillance and Monitoring of Cereal Rust Diseases in Lebanon and Morocco in 2025
No full textThis project aimed to maintain wheat rust surveillance and early warning capacity in Morocco and Lebanon during the 2025 cropping season, despite severe heat and drought conditions across the CWANA region. Systematic field surveys were conducted in more than 70 wheat-growing locations using standard BGRI protocols and digital data collection tools to assess rust incidence and severity. Rust samples and trap nurseries were used to monitor pathogen presence and monitoring the wehat rust diseases. Although rust development was largely suppressed by unfavorable agroclimatic conditions, trace to moderate stem rust was detected in Morocco, confirming pathogen persistence and potential outbreak risk under favorable conditions. The project underscores the importance of sustained surveillance and regional coordination to support preparedness, breeding, and disease management strategies,
Genome-Wide Association Analysis of Drought Tolerance in a Chickpea MAGIC Population
No full textA Multi-parent Advanced Generation Inter-Cross (MAGIC) population of chickpea, comprising 3,054 MAGIC-derived Recombinant Inbred Lines (RILs), was evaluated under contrasting drought environments in Alem Tena (Ethiopia) and Terbol (Lebanon) to identify genomic regions associated with drought tolerance. Field phenotyping was based on a 1–9 drought tolerance scoring scale, where lower scores indicated better performance. A total of 3,354 experimental field plots were evaluated, including 300 replicated genotypes used as checks to improve scoring accuracy and adjust environmental effects. Data analysis was performed using Multi-Environment Trials (MET) and REMLbased variance components models. Genotyping of the MAGIC population was conducted using a 689,802 SNP dataset, later filtered to 495,495 high-quality SNPs using vcftools. The SNPs were distributed across 8 chickpea chromosomes. Population structure analysis was performed using the LEA package in R. The results of GWAS revealed significant genotype-by-environment interactions and identified environment-specific SNPs linked to drought tolerance. Forty-two RILs showed high drought tolerance (score ≤3) in Lebanon, while 40 distinct RILs were tolerant in Ethiopia. Twenty-nine RILs were moderately to highly tolerant across both locations. The contrasting timing of drought stress (postwinter in Lebanon and post-summer in Ethiopia) likely contributed to the distinct genetic associations
observed. Moreover, 29 RILs were identified with elevated seed protein content, with 135 SNPs on a
182-kbp region of chromosome 5 significantly associated with this trait. These results provide valuable
genomic resources for the development of climate-resilient and nutritionally enhanced chickpea
cultivars, with potential applications in Australia and other dryland farming systems
Effect of Farming with Alternative Pollinators “FAP” on faba bean crop in two different regions
No full textThis study evaluates the effect of Farming with Alternative Pollinators (FAP) approach in faba bean cultivation in Morocco’s Marchouch and Settat regions. This study aims to compare FAP fields—surrounded by different marketable habitat enhancement plants (MHEP) such as coriander, clover, canola, lupinus, sulla and buckwheat, with monoculture faba bean control. The FAP fields showed significantly greater pollinator abundance and diversity. In addition, FAP is an ecologically sustainable strategy for fauna enhancing in different agroecosystems in arid environments such as Settat and Marchouch regions
Traditional Mountain Recipes Cookbook – More than 50recipes from Morocco, Algeria, Italy, Croatia, Tunisia and Lebanon
No full textThis specialized cookbook offers a curated collection of recipes featuring wheat and barley, designed to celebrate not only traditional Mediterranean flavours but also the core principles of sustainable development and women's empowerment.
This effort is inspired by the MountainHER Project, which is focused on empowering women in societies as a crucial driver for agro-ecological transformation and income generation across mountain communities in Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Lebanon, Italy, and Croatia. Our focus centers on barley and durum wheat, two emblematic crops of the region.
The project highlights the essential role of women from rural areas in transforming these agricultural staples. By processing the grains into traditional foods and value-added products, these women succeeded in fully establishing and managing sustainable value chains from field to table.
The recipes within this collection demonstrate the full potential and versatility of locally sourced grains. They range from staple breads and porridges to contemporary culinary interpretations that reflect the unique terroir and cultural heritage of the partner communities.
We aim to use this cookbook to connect culinary tradition with modern sustainable practices, underscore the richness of locally grown grains, and raise awareness of the critical importance of women's leadership in creating localized value. Ultimately, we hope to inspire readers to support socially inclusive and environmentally responsible practices by recreating these recipes in their own kitchens
D3.2.1b Analyze field performances across research station locations for management practices
No full textCereal crops are highly vulnerable to extreme climatic events. The limited genetic diversity of elite germplasm used in modern breeding constrains the development of high-yielding and stable cultivars under climate change. Consequently, understanding genotype × environment interactions (GEI), which are commonly revealed through multi-environment trials (METs), has become essential. As climate conditions continue to shift, crops must be adapted to sustain current production levels. Large-scale exploration of GEI therefore represents a critical step toward the development of high-yielding, resilient, and stable cultivars in a changing climate
Assessment of Key Performance Indicators for Raised-Bed and Flat Planting in Egypt’s Irrigated Drylands: Insights from Farmer Field Surveys
No full textRaised bed planting is increasingly promoted in Egypt’s irrigated drylands as a water-saving alternative to conventional flat planting with flood irrigation. To assess its on-farm performance, we surveyed 1,645 wheat fields across 21 major wheat-producing governorates in the Nile Delta and Valley (Old Lands), of which 249 farmers had adopted raised beds with furrow irrigation. Using a structured questionnaire, we collected detailed information on agronomic practices, input use, costs, and yields under farmers’ management. Compared with flat planting, raised beds improved nitrogen use efficiency by about 30%, increased water productivity by 15.5%, enhanced grain yield by 7%, and raised net profit by 11%, while reducing greenhouse gas intensity by 24%. However, labor productivity declined by 41%, largely due to the manual effort required for bed formation. The results highlight raised beds as a promising option for sustainable wheat intensification in water-scarce environments, provided scale-appropriate mechanization services are available