Zaragoza, 14 November 2023.- Experts and practitioners gathered for an advanced course at CIHEAM Zaragoza to explore the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem (WEFE) interdependency in Mediterranean irrigated agriculture and its implications for food security and nature preservation.

The course took place from 6 to 11 November 2023 and was jointly organised by CIHEAM Zaragoza, the PRIMA Foundation, and the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA).

“The course was designed for participants from universities, research centres, ministries, and the private sector. It actively shared invaluable experiences and knowledge derived from PRIMA-funded projects, embodying a true research-based training approach”, highlighted Ali Rhouma, PRIMA's Project Officer and scientific coordinator of the course.

Participants looked into key issues such as the rising energy demands linked to modern irrigation systems, the trade-offs between water use, energy consumption, and food security, as well as the environmental issues of water pollution and climate change.

The training was structured to provide practical insights into these challenges, offering innovative technological and policy-based solutions aimed at ensuring sustainability in the Mediterranean region.

The experts also took part in a technical visit to an irrigated Mediterranean region spanning 125,000 hectares. This region draws water from mountain reservoirs in the Pyrenees and presents notable elements of the WEFE nexus.

The visit highlighted key aspects, including water scarcity, renewable energy generation, pumping energy consumption, agricultural production, food supply, water pollution management, and advancements in irrigation systems. Participants were able to discuss in situ the achievements made as well as the intricate challenges encountered during the implementation of the WEFE nexus approach in this specific Mediterranean region.