• In the framework of the PASTINNOVA course, Antonio López-Francos, CIHEAM Zaragoza’s cooperative project and network administrator, highlights the contribution of pastoralism to the sustainability of livestock farming and rural development.

10 June 2024.- Innovation in Mediterranean pastoral systems was the main theme of an advanced course organised between 30 May and 7 June by CIHEAM Zaragoza as part of the PASTINNOVA project, financed by the PRIMA programme of the European Union.

The activity was organised in Aragon (Spain), bringing together 31 young professionals from 12 Mediterranean countries (Albania, Algeria, Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, Lebanon, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Tunisia and Türkiye). They focused on various dimensions of pastoralism (technical, economic, environmental, social and political), learning from an international group of lecturers made up of 20 experts from universities, research centres, businesses, associations and public bodies related to the sector.

Antonio López-Francos, CIHEAM Zaragoza’s project and network administrator, talks about the large practical component of the course: "We wanted to provide participants with tools that they could use in their professional activity and offer them practical examples that could corroborate that pastoralism is alive and well, that it is innovating, and has a bright future ahead that will strengthen the sustainability of livestock farming and territorial development".

Five days of lectures, a three-day field trip and two technical visits highlight the intensive work schedule of the programme that revolved around six main topics:

• Introduction: Relevance of pastoral systems in the Mediterranean region
• Technical management challenges: traditions and innovations
• Economic sustainability of pastoral systems
• Environmental implications of pastoral systems
• Social and governance aspects in pastoralism
• Public action and policies to promote the role of sustainable livestock production and pastoralism in the Mediterranean

LIVESTOCK FARMS, RESEARCH AND INNOVATIVE BUSINESS PROJECTS

The field visits provided good examples of the topics addressed during the course, showing practical examples of initiatives, projects and research applied in two very different but related Aragonese territories. On one hand the central Ebro valley, a semi-arid environment where sheep farming co-exists with rainfed and irrigated cereal and forage crops, and grazing in steppe areas. On the other hand, the valleys of the Pyrenees, where cattle farming is predominantly based on meadows, forages, highlands and wild pastures.

Maite Aguinaco, academic coordinator of the course and CIHEAM Zaragoza’s administrator of the Environment and Natural Resources area, talks about the activity: “These visits were crucial to the success of the course. Besides addressing the technical aspects of pasture and livestock management, they also showed innovative examples of product transformation and marketing initiatives, and shepherd training and hiring programmes. They also gave insight into the historical and cultural aspect of sheep farming in Aragon.

This was particularly evident during the visit to Casa Ganaderos de Zaragoza, where the international group of students and lecturers learnt first-hand about the 800 years of history and how stakeholders in the agrifood system have evolved over time.

López-Francos concludes by saying: "We wanted to offer participants a wide vision of pastoral farming, not just the idea they have learnt from their scientific discipline or professional activity. For example, to show a veterinarian examples of how to analyse the value chain; or give an environmentalist or a forester insight into technical and economic questions of livestock farming; or share with a sociologist the environmental benefits of pastoralism … That way it’s much easier for everyone to see their work in context – it all makes more sense".

PASTINNOVA is an international project driven by 20 organisations from 12 countries: Algeria, Cyprus, Croatia, France, Greece (coordinator), Italy, Lebanon, Morocco, Slovenia, Spain, Tunisia and Türkiye. The initiative, which began in 2022, has a duration of 3 years and aims to identify, test and accompany successful initiatives and business models in the pastoral and extensive livestock farming sector in different Mediterranean countries, a way of living and farming that has deep-rooted traditions across the Mediterranean basin.

For more information about the project, visit the official website.