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SPOTLIGHT | Women’s Empowerment through Innovation in Mediterranean Agro-food Systems
CIHEAM Zaragoza and the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), in collaboration with the CIHEAM General Secretariat and with the support of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) organise an international symposium which will bring together representatives from FAO, IFAD, OECD, the European Commission, ICARDA, IWMI, PRIMA, Global Water Partnership Med, as well as actors from civil society, the private sector, and the field of innovation, entrepreneurship and women's empowerment. [Read more] |
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GOVERNANCE | The CIHEAM Governing Board has reappointed Raúl Compés López as director of the Organisation’s Institute in Spain (CIHEAM Zaragoza) for a second term beginning 4 January 2025 and concluding 3 January 2029. During his first term of office (January 2021-January 2025), Compés López has strengthened the Institute’s role in cooperation in agriculture and food-related issues, seeking greater impact of CIHEAM Zaragoza’s activities in the Mediterranean. [Read more]
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COOPERATION | The Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights of Malta (MAFA) and CIHEAM Zaragoza have signed a new agreement to enhance cooperation in agricultural technical assistance and capacity building. The agreement, signed by Sharlo Camilleri, Permanent Secretary of MAFA, and Raúl Compés López, director of CIHEAM Zaragoza, builds upon the Memorandum of Understanding established between the parties on 19 June 2024. [Read more]
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SYNERGIES | The Regional Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Food of the Government of Aragón, Javier Rincón, visited CIHEAM Zaragoza, accompanied by the Director General for Rural Development, José Manuel Cruz, and the Director General for Food Quality and Safety, María Aitziber.
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OUR INSIGHTS
A cooperative approach to the agrifood sector
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ANALYSIS | Occupational Safety and Health in the Mediterranean Agricultural Sector
Alun Jones, Head of Projects at CIHEAM Zaragoza, addresses in this article the culture of occupational risk prevention in Mediterranean agriculture, highlighting the main hazards, statistics, and measures to improve the safety and health of agricultural workers. [Read more] |
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AMAL JERJES | Cooperative of Der Mimas (Lebanon). [Video]
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CARLOS RAMOS | Consultant in international cooperation for development. [Video]
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MCHICH DERAK | Regional Directorate for Water and Forests in Tetouan (Morocco). [Video]
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VALERIA SHIMKEVICH | Agrifood Business Development Manager at Libelium (Spain). [Video]
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Taking a glimpse into the future of agrifood systems
with the help of our experts
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EDUCATION | A new generation of professionals to guarantee the future of crop and livestock production and fisheries in the Mediterranean region
Applications are now open for the 2025-2027 edition of CIHEAM Zaragoza’s international master’s programmes, organised in collaboration with leading universities and prestigious national and international institutions. CIHEAM Zaragoza specialises in postgraduate education for international cooperation in agriculture and food and has trained thousands of professionals from across the world. [Read more] |
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ALUMNI | Innovative strategies to enhance seabass welfare in aquaculture
Valery Ravelo recently earned her official master’s degree ‘University Master in Marine Aquaculture’ upon completing and presenting her thesis ‘Improvement of Seabass Welfare (Dicentrarchus labrax) with Adaptogens and Environmental Enrichment’. The main objective of Ravelo’s research was to assess how environmental enrichment using microbubbles and adaptogens such as cannabidiol, individually or in combination, can affect the welfare of European seabass juveniles. [Read more]
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ALUMNI | Transforming desalination with digital twins and machine learning
Aissam Daaboub, a graduate of CIHEAM Zaragoza’s MSc programme “Sustainable Water Management and Governance in Natural and Agricultural Environments”, has provided significant insight into improving desalination processes.
His Master’s thesis, titled “Development of Predictive Solutions for Drinking Water Generation and Distribution”, explores the potential of data-driven models to simulate SWRO behaviour and optimise processes. [Read more]
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IOC | Organoleptic evaluation of olive oil: Key insights from the regional training course in Tunisia
From 17 to 21 February 2025, Tunis became an international hub for olive oil excellence as it hosted the Regional Training Course on the Organoleptic Evaluation of Olive Oil. Organised by CIHEAM Zaragoza and the International Olive Council (IOC), in collaboration with Tunisia’s National Olive Oil Office (Office National de l’Huile, ONH), this specialised training aimed to strengthen quality control and sensory evaluation across the Mediterranean region. Bringing together 25 professionals from Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, and Türkiye, the course provided an opportunity for participants to enhance their skills in sensory analysis and olive oil quality assessment. [More information] |
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RE-LIVESTOCK | Innovating for sustainability: the role of genetics in reducing livestock methane emissions
From 24 to 28 February, CIHEAM Zaragoza hosted the course “Cattle breeding for low methane emissions: From farm measurement to genetic progress” as part of the Re-Livestock project and within the framework of the Mediterranean Network on Greenhouse Gases in Agriculture. The training activity was jointly organised by CIHEAM Zaragoza, the Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development (NEIKER), and the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases (GRA); in collaboration with Wageningen University and Research (WUR) and the National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology of the Spanish National Research Council (INIA-CSIC). [Read more] |
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SAFEHABITUS | Occupational safety and social sustainability in agriculture
CIHEAM Zaragoza, TEAGASC and AEIDL, as members of the SafeHabitus project consortium, in collaboration with the European Committee of the Regions, have led a seminar on occupational safety and social sustainability in agriculture titled "The Role of Social Security in Supporting Farm Safety and Farmer Health". [Read more]
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IPMWORKS | Sustainable crop protection
On 15 January 2025, IPMWORKS, together with MEP Christophe Clergeau, organised the European Policy Seminar “Supporting farmers to reduce pesticide use through effective implementation of Integrated Pest Management (IPM)”. This event marked another step forward in IPMWORKS’ policy engagement activities, led by CIHEAM Zaragoza. [Read more]
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EDUSAF and INSIST-VAT | New Erasmus+ projects to strengthen education in agriculture and food in Albania and South America
CIHEAM Zaragoza reinforces its commitment with international cooperation in agriculture and food by engaging in two new projects: INSIST-VAT and EduSAF. These Erasmus+ initiatives focus on capacity building and lie within the framework of the EU Erasmus+ programme. [Read more]
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WEBINAR | Success stories in fisheries management
With the aim of analysing successful experiences in the field of fisheries management, CIHEAM Zaragoza and the University of Alicante organised a webinar featuring experts in the field, who shared their experiences and insights on various success stories and the key role of fisheries management in the sustainability of marine resources. [Access the recording]
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WEBINAR | New breeding techniques for a sustainable future
CIHEAM Zaragoza and the University of Lleida (UdL) organised a webinar with experts to explore the transformative potential of New Breeding Techniques (NBTs) and their role in promoting a more sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture. [Access the recording]
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SMAGUA 2025 | CIHEAM Zaragoza has taken part in SMAGUA 2025, the International Water and Irrigation Exhibition held in Zaragoza from 4 to 6 March. At the event, Maite Aguinaco, administrator of the strategic area ‘Water, Soil and Ecosystems’ at CIHEAM Zaragoza, and Enrique Playán, research professor at the Experimental Station of Aula Dei of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), presented CIHEAM Zaragoza’s training programmes in sustainable water management and governance. [Read more]
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ENOMAQ 2025 | CIHEAM Zaragoza played an active role in the Organising Committee of the international trade fair for the wine and olive-growing sectors ENOMAQ held from 11 to 13 February 2025 at the exhibition centre Feria Zaragoza. On the opening day, CIHEAM Zaragoza presented its training programmes in winegrowing, olive growing and oil technology. Ramzi Belkhodja, coordinator of the area of Plant Production, Health and Breeding, spoke of the importance of capacity-building for the sustainable development of the sector. [Read more]
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FUNDACIÓN DEL OLIVAR | CIHEAM Zaragoza is collaborating in the promotion of the Expoliva 2025 Scientific and Technical Symposium, organised by the Fundación del Olivar. With a history spanning over 30 years, it is the most important forum for researchers, technicians, producers, and professionals in the olive and olive oil sector. [More information]
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ARAGÓN RADIO TALK SHOW | Joaquín Balduque, project manager at CIHEAM Zaragoza, took part in the event “New Models of Agriculture and Livestock Farming: Examples of Production in a New Social, Environmental and Economic Context”, organised by Aragón Noticias and Ibercaja. [Listen to the recording]
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AIDA | As in previous years, CIHEAM Zaragoza is collaborating in the organisation and promotion of the 21st Conference on Animal Production, which will be held on 3 and 4 June 2025 in Zaragoza to address the current challenges facing the sector. [More information]
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OOWC | CIHEAM Zaragoza is collaborating with the OOWC Congress in launching the international #BeyondOliveOil competition, an initiative aimed at discovering and promoting innovative uses of olive oil beyond its traditional culinary application. [More information]
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The Adaptation of Mediterranean Agriculture to Climate Change: Impact on Plant Health and Crop Production | Ramzi Belkhodja [Read the article]
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Ukraine Maintains Its Agricultural Value After Three Years of War That Shook Global Trade | Raúl Compés [Read feature article]
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RECOGNITION | Mohammed Sadiki, former Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests of Morocco, has been elevated to the rank of Commander of the 'Order of Agricultural Merit' by the French Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry, Annie Genevard. The award recognises an exceptional career dedicated to research, agricultural policy management, and international cooperation for more sustainable and inclusive agrifood systems. [Read more]
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MALTA | CIHEAM and the Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights of Malta (MAFA) have signed a collaboration agreement to establish a CIHEAM office in Malta and strengthen cooperation in addressing the urgent challenges of climate change, resource scarcity, biodiversity loss, soil degradation, and food losses. The agreement also aims to support the necessary socio-economic transitions within food systems to ensure food and nutrition security. [Read more]
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TUNISIA |From 3 to 5 March 2025, strategic working meetings were held in Tunisia between CIHEAM, institutional actors, and Tunisian partners, highlighting the organisation's commitment to strengthening its role in the country. The meetings brought together the Secretary General of CIHEAM, the directors of the CIHEAM institutes, and the teams involved in ongoing projects. [Read more]
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EGYPT | The Secretary General of CIHEAM, Teodoro Miano, visited Cairo with an agenda focused on strategic institutional meetings centred on cooperation and the development of joint agricultural projects between the Ministry and CIHEAM. The discussions emphasised the training of researchers and students, innovation, and the adoption of resilient agricultural practices to address environmental challenges. [Read more]
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GREECE | The Greek Minister of Agriculture, Kostantinos Tsiaras, received a CIHEAM delegation led by its Secretary General, Teodoro Miano, in the presence of Christos Avgoulas, Greece's representative to CIHEAM, and George Baourakis, Director of CIHEAM Chania. This meeting reaffirms the strong ties between Greece and CIHEAM and highlights the support that Greece has always provided to the organisation, particularly through its institute in Crete. [Read more]
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GREECE | The Greek Minister of Agriculture, Kostantinos Tsiaras, received a CIHEAM delegation led by its Secretary General, Teodoro Miano, in the presence of Christos Avgoulas, Greece's representative to CIHEAM, and George Baourakis, Director of CIHEAM Chania. This meeting reaffirms the strong ties between Greece and CIHEAM and highlights the support that Greece has always provided to the organisation, particularly through its institute in Crete. [Read more]
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EDUCATION | The CIHEAM Training Working Group met in Chania with the Secretary General of the institution, Teodoro Miano, and representatives from the General Secretariat and the four CIHEAM institutes to discuss key issues related to CIHEAM's postgraduate training strategy. Topics included academic regulations, the need to harmonise procedures and programme content across the four institutes, as well as ensuring quality in education. [Read more]
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MED-AMIN | The MED-Amin network is a market monitoring network for four cereals (soft and durum wheat, barley, maize, and rice) in the Mediterranean. Coordinated by CIHEAM Montpellier, this network aims to improve the quality of information on cereal markets in the Mediterranean region, which is deeply involved in cereal trade circuits and highly vulnerable to price volatility. [Read more]
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Seminar "Agrosilvopastoral Futures: Bridging Tradition with Innovation in Mediterranean and Mountain Pastures"
Date: 8-11 April
Venue: Kusadasi (Türkiye)
Organisers: CIHEAM Zaragoza, FAO, PASTINNOVA project and Adnan Menderes University
Conference "Digital transformation challenges to promote sustainable food systems"
Speaker: Rosa Gallardo
Date: 13 May 2025
Venue: CIHEAM Zaragoza and on line
Organisers: CIHEAM Zaragoza
Advanced course "Promoting decent working conditions in fisheries"
Date: 19-23 May 2025
Venue: Isla Cristina, Huelva (Spain)
Organisers: CIHEAM Zaragoza, FAO, ISM, INSST
Scientific Symposium EXPOLIVA
Date: 14-16 May
Venue: Jaén
Organisers: Fundación Olivar in collaboration with CIHEAM Zaragoza
4th EuAWE Conference
Date: 14-17 May
Venue: Zaragoza
Organisers: EuAWE, in collaboration with CIHEAM Zaragoza, UNIZAR and CITA
XXI AIDA Workshop on Animal Productionl
Date: 3-4 June
Venue: Zaragoza
Organisers: AIDA in collaboration with CIHEAM Zaragoza
International Symposium "Women’s Empowerment through Innovation in Mediterranean Agro-food Systems"
Date: 10-12 June
Venue: CIHEAM Zaragoza and on line
Organisers: CIHEAM Zaragoza, UpM, CIHEAM, AECID |
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Sharing knowledge, feeding the future
CIHEAM insights and publications
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Balduque-Gil, J., Garcés-Claver, A., Pérez-Lamuela, I., Barriuso-Vargas, J.J., Fayos, O. (2024). Molecular Detection of the Grapevine Pathogens Plasmopara viticola and Erysiphe necator from Airborne Inoculum Collector Cyclones. Agronomy, 14, 2619.
CIHEAM (2024). CIHEAM Annual Report 2023/2024.
CIHEAM (2023). Youth Commitment to Sustainable Food Systems: A Mediterranean Overview. Watch Letter 41 (17 April 2023)
CIHEAM (2022). Activity Report of the Working Group on Women Empowerment & Gender Equality.
CIHEAM (2022). Activity Report of the Working Group on Coastal Zone Management, Fisheries, and Aquaculture.
CIHEAM (2022). Activity Report of the Working Group on Sustainable Food Systems between March and December 2022.
CIHEAM (2022). Activity Report of the Working Group on Youth Empowerment and Economic Inclusion.
CIHEAM (2022). Gender Equality in the Mediterranean. General Overview and Focus on the Agricultural Sector and Rural Areas.
Compés R., Moro C., Sotés V. (eds) (2024). El vino de alta gama en España: En el camino de la excelencia. Cajamar Caja Rural.
Dernini S. and Capone R. (eds) ( 2024). Sustainable food systems. Change of route in the Mediterranean. Valenzano: CIHEAM Bari.
FAO (2023). Sustainable agrifood systems in the Mediterranean: Levers for transformation.
FAO-CIHEAM (2022). e-NUCIS: Information Bulletin of the Research Network on Nuts. No. 2, septiembre 2022.
Fernández Sánchez, J. L., Basurco, B., & Aguilera, C. (2023). Economic assessment of investment in automatic feeding systems for sea bass grow-out farms of different sizes. Journal of the World Aquaculture Society, 1– 10.
Hadjipavlou G. (ed.), Ligda C. (ed.) (2022). Addressing the challenges of agro-pastoral farming systems to strengthen their resilience. Zaragoza: CIHEAM, 2022. 121 p. (Options Méditerranéennes: Série A. Séminaires Méditerranéens; n. 129). 71.
Moreno-Dodson B., Gasmi I., Gourraud C., Tsakas C. (2022). The Water Security Nexus in North Africa: Catalyzing Regional Coordination Around Climate Change, Resilience and Migration. Marseille: Center for Mediterranean Integration and UNOPS.
Muniesa A., Ruiz-Zarzuela I. Lamielle G., Von Dobschuetz S., Furones, D, Rodgers C., Basurco B. (2024). Applying the FAO surveillance evaluation tool (SET) to assess the fish farming disease surveillance system in Spain. Frontiers in Veterinary Science.
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GENDER | CIHEAM Zaragoza works to fulfill their obligations in terms of equality and gender, together with the rest of the Institutes and the CIHEAM General Secretariat. This commitment has led to the Institute’s Gender Equality Plan (GEP) that you can download here.
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COMMUNICATION | This manual brings together the basic elements for a correct use of the text and graphics of the CIHEAM Zaragoza brand in all possible expressions and has been compiled in accordance with CIHEAM guidelines. You can download it here.
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