The International Seminar ‘Agrosilvopastoral Futures: Bridging Tradition with Innovation in Mediterranean and Mountain Pastures’ took place in Kuşadası (Türkiye) from 9 to 11 April 2025. The event was jointly organised by the FAO-CIHEAM Network of Pastures and Fodder Crops (Subnetworks on Mediterranean Pastures and Mountain Pastures), CIHEAM Zaragoza and Aydin Adnan Menderes University, in collaboration with the PASTINNOVA project funded by PRIMA (Partnership on Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area).
The seminar brought together 116 participants from 17 countries (Albania, Algeria, Australia, Croatia, Egypt, France, Greece, Italy, Lebanon, Morocco, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Tunisia, Türkiye and the USA) across the Mediterranean and from other regions with mediterranean climates, and from mountain areas.
Researchers, academics and practitioners gathered to exchange information on scientific progress and share practical experiences, focusing on four thematic areas:
- Biodiversity and sustainable practices to enhance the resilience of agro-silvopastoral systems
- Technical innovations for pasture and forage production in Mediterranean and mountain areas
- New technologies and data-driven tools for monitoring agro-silvopastoral systems
- Innovations for the future of Mediterranean pastoralism
The Seminar included a special session for early-career researchers to encourage the participation of young professionals as speakers.
One of the highlights of the event was a technical visit to the protected area of Mount Latmos, an agro-silvopastoral system where livestock - mainly cattle - graze in a stone pine forest and in Mediterranean olive and walnut orchards. The site also attracts nature lovers and cultural heritage enthusiasts that come to visit the archaeological remains.
During the seminar, 68 scientific contributions were presented (28 theatre presentations and 40 posters), together with 6 keynote lectures by guest experts. The seminar concluded with a roundtable discussion on the current state and future role of pastoralism. The high level of participation and quality of research demonstrated the growing interest in and the importance of studying pastures and forage crops in the Mediterranean. It also highlighted the need to better integrate crops, livestock, and rangelands into sustainable Mediterranean livestock production and incorporate agro-silvopastoralism in landscape management strategies.
FINAL CONFERENCE OF THE PASTINNOVA PROJECT
The symposium also hosted the final conference of the PASTINNOVA project, for which CIHEAM Zaragoza has led the dissemination, transfer and training components. The project aims to foster innovation in the Mediterranean pastoral livestock sector and support economic viability and social sustainability.
The scientific presentations addressed a range of topics including the use of Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) for pastoral products, the impacts of climate change on pasture ecosystems, and analysis of the economic viability of transhumant livestock systems.
One session featured 14 posters detailing PASTINNOVA’s case studies and concluded with a roundtable discussion on the future of Mediterranean pastoralism and the policy measures required to promote and sustain it. Representatives from different countries shared inspiring experiences, such as the organisation of livestock cooperatives in Türkiye, the role of women in livestock farming in Lebanon, and the integration of genetic conservation and rural development through gastronomy in Croatia.
One of the highlights of this session was the presentation of the White Paper on Pastoralism in the Mediterranean Region, drawn up within the framework of PASTINNOVA. This strategic document will be a key tool to facilitate dialogue between science and public policy, raising awareness and informing policy-makers on the value and potential of pastoral systems.