36
Why addressing the PRIMA operational objectives is needed - issues
tackled by the programme at Mediterranean transnational level
Motivations for the development of an interconnected PRIMA Strategic
Research and
Innovation Agenda based on three pillars and associated transnational activities
The first PRIMA pillar addresses the following challenges and gaps:
-
Inequitable water allocation and unsustainable water management
-
On-farm irrigation inefficiencies
-
Soil erosion and mismanagement of water cycle at the watershed level
Needs and expected actions are summarized in the following table:
Table 3. –PRIMA Pillar 1: objectives, needs and actions
PRIMA Operational
objectives
Pillar 1
priority
Why it’s strikingly
needed
What PRIMA is going to
address?
What kind of actions are
expected by PRIMA to
address these needs
2 To test and stimulate
adoption of context-
tailored
water-saving
solutions in agriculture
***
Cross-border
cooperation is
needed to
encourage water
use efficiency
and treated
wastewater use
in agriculture
Mitigating
pressure
on already scarce
water resources
and enhance
sustainable water
management
Research projects
Innovation projects
Prototype
development
Network of
infrastructure
SME partnership
Capacity building
and training
Dissemination and
outreach
7 To improve
land and
water sustainability in
arid and semi-arid
watersheds
***
The
intensification of
agriculture has
led to a severe
pressure on
soil and water
resources
Mitigating soil loss
and erosion by
reducing pressure
on groundwater
and
safeguarding
biodiversity
Research projects
Innovation projects
Prototype
development
Network of
infrastructure
Capacity building
and training
Dissemination and
outreach
8 To elaborate and
stimulate adoption of
new policies and
protocols for the
governance of water
management systems
***
Difficulties in
overcoming some
geo-political
constraints in
approaching
water
management at
the basin/district
level have been
widely reported
Improving
adaptation to
drought and climate
change
to mitigate
their impact on
water resources
Research projects
Network of
infrastructure
Capacity building
and training
Dissemination and
outreach
The second PRIMA pillar is mostly meant to address the following gaps:
-
Overexploitation of natural resources and unsustainable ways of farming
-
Animal and plant diseases
-
Constrained environmental context
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Needs and expected actions are summarized in the following table:
Table 4. –PRIMA Pillar 2: objectives, needs and actions
PRIMA Operational
objectives
Pillar 2
priority
Why it’s strikingly
needed
What PRIMA is going to
address?
What kind of actions
are expected by PRIMA
to address these needs
1 To develop smart and
sustainable farming
systems to maintain
natural resources and
to increase
production efficiency
***
The sensitivity of the
ecosystems coupled
with the
heterogeneity of the
farming structures
need to develop
approaches for the
entirety of the
Mediterranean area.
The richness of
Mediterranean
biodiversity is an
asset that requires
shared resources and
objectives
Improving crop and
animal productivity,
quality and
management
Increasing yield,
quality and stability
of farming systems
Enhancing soil and
water resources in
Med farming
systems
Exploiting biodiversity
and taking advantage
of spontaneous and
domesticated
biological diversity in
the Med
agriculture/husbandry
Research projects
Innovation projects
Network of
infrastructure
SME partnership
Capacity building
and training
Dissemination and
outreach
5 To design and
promote the
adoption of novel
approaches to reduce
the impact of pests
and pathogens in
farming, including
their consequences
on human health
***
Local food
production and
safety, as well as
the economic
development of
rural areas, are
deeply impacted
by pests and
pathogens
Combating the
drivers of pest and
disease distribution
Enhancing
prevention,
surveillance and
control
Posing the basis for
better reactions to
emerging outbreaks
Research projects
Network of
infrastructure
Capacity building
and training
Dissemination and
outreach
The third PRIMA pillar is mostly meant to address the following gaps:
-
Food and water losses and wastes
-
Changes in food demand and their consequences on food supply chain, nutrition and health
-
Business food systems unable to create employment and economic
growth
Needs and expected actions are summarized in the following table: