VENUS

ConVErting marginal lands of the Mediterranean basin into productive and sustainable agroecosystems using low water demanding Neglected and Underutilized Species

PRIMA programme supported and funded under Horizon 2020, the European Union’s Framework Programme for Research and Innovation

The Mediterranean region is exposed to severe environmental pressures caused by climate change, population growth, intensive agriculture, and desertification. Reduced freshwater availability and loss of productive agricultural land are major challenges for the future and adaptation strategies to increase the resilience of ecosystem and reverse land degradation will be required.

The VENUS project aims to demonstrate the environmental and economic potential of Neglected and Underutilized Species (NUS), which require low water and are adapted to arid and saline soils. By promoting the use of NUS, the project seeks to convert marginal lands into productive areas, improving soil quality and avoiding conflicts over water resources. Additionally, VENUS aims to raise awareness among farmers, consumers, and markets about the benefits of these resilient species.

Expected results include the implementation of sustainable management practices for NUS, assessment of their quality for various market applications, and development of business models for their production. The project will also evaluate the scalability and transferability of NUS production systems and their contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Communication and engagement with multiple stakeholders are key components of the project.

VENUS involves 12 partners from 8 Mediterranean countries, both European (Italy, Greece, Spain) and non-European (Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia), to develop integrated solutions that combine traditional knowledge with modern techniques.

Project partners:

  • LP: Ellinikos Georgikos Organismos - Dimitra (ELGO)
  • PP2: University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli” (UNICAMPANIA)
  • PP3: Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR)
  • PP4: Consorzio di Bonifica Adige Euganeo (CONSAE)
  • PP5: Rinci SRL (RINCI)
  • PP6: IDENER RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT AIE (IDENER)
  • PP7: National Agricultural Research Center (NARC)
  • PP8: Hassan II University of Casablanca - Faculty of Science and Technology (UH2C-FSTM)
  • PP9: Institut National de la Recherche en Génie Rural, Eaux et Forêts (INRGREF)
  • PP10: Participatory Development Solutions - ElMahrousa PDS (ElMahrousa PDS)
  • PP11: National Water Research Center (NWRC)
  • PP12: University of Science and Technology Houari Boumediene (USTHB)

Budget: € 4,177,732.14 Euro

Start Date: 1st June 2024

Duration: 36 months

Contact at Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources – CNR: Dott. Luigi Tosi (luigi.tosi@igg.cnr.it)