Identification & Background:
Project title: VALMEDALM – VALorization of MEDiterranean ALMond orchards through the use of intercropping integrated strategies
Project code: PRIMA/0013/2021
Main objective:The proposal aims to empower local almond production of the Mediterranean through the implementation of intercropping practices as an integrated strategy aligned with economic and social aspects, as well as sustainable principles towards an adaptation to climate change.
Intervention region: Mediterranean
Beneficiary entities:
MORE – Laboratório Colaborativo Montanhas de Investigação, Associação (Project Leader)
Instituto Politécnico de Bragança
Centro Nacional de Competências dos Frutos Secos
University of Split
Università degli Studi di Palermo
Agricultural Research Organization – Volcani Institute (ARO)
National Research Centre (NRC)
University Sultan Moulay Slimane
National Institute of Agronomic Research
Approval date: 10/12/2021
Start date: 01/06/2022
Conclusion date: 31/05/2025
Total eligible investment: € 1 373 757,50
MORE CoLAB’s eligible investment: 55.455,00 €
More’s budget: € 111,621.04
Objectives
- Promote Intercropping practices in Mediterranean almond orchards;
- Evaluate the impact of intercropping practices in pest and weed management in almond orchards from Mediterranean area;
- The nutritional properties of almonds and crops used in intercropping farming.
- Assessment of the economic, social and environmental impacts of examined practices.
- Increase agro-food stakeholders’ skills and sharing of intercropping practices for sustainable agriculture among Mediterranean countries;
Activities
WP1 – Potential of intercropping practices in Mediterranean almonds orchards.
WP2 – Intercropping role in pests and weed control as a tool to promote sustainability in almond orchards.
WP3 – Assessment of nutritional and functional properties of almonds and associated crops produced within VALMEDALM demo sites.
WP4 – Assessment of the economic, social and environmental impacts of tested practices and technologies.
WP5 – Training and knowledge transfer: practices and technologies; food quality valorisation.
WP6 – Dissemination, communication, and exploitation plan.
WP7 – Consortium coordination and Project Management.
Expected results
- Improve sustainable food production systems;
- Increase farmer’s income, also including other possible agricultural-linked income sources and ensure transparency and fair pricing structure along the value chain;
- Promote access to work for young workers and women;
- Enable access to markets, i.e., ensure access of local producers to distribution channels and markets, providing the general population with healthy and sustainable products;
- Improve sustainable food production systems with eficiente use of natural resources and with eco-friendly processes with low GHG emission;
- Reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses and potentially valorising the waste left.
