Search Results (19)

The environmental and social crises affecting global agri-food systems highlight the need for a profound transformation of production models and their territorial relations. In this context, agroecology, understood as science, practice, and movement, has emerged as a paradigm capable of integrating ecological sustainability, social equity, and community participation. Within this framework, the work carried out by CREA in the AgrEcoMed project (new agroecological approach for soil fertility and biodiversity restoration to improve economic and social resilience of Mediterranean farming systems), funded by the PRIMA programme, investigates agroecology as a social and political process of territorial regeneration. This process is grounded in co-design with local stakeholders, collective learning, and the construction of multi-actor networks for agroecology in the Mediterranean. The Manifesto functions as a tool for participatory governance and value convergence, aiming to consolidate a shared vision for the Mediterranean agroecological transition. The article examines, through an analysis of the existing literature, the role of agroecological networks and empirically examines the function of the collective co-creation of the Manifesto as a tool for social innovation. The methodology is based on a participatory action-research approach that used local focus groups, World Café, and thematic analysis to identify the needs of the companies involved. The results highlight the formation of a multi-actor network currently comprising around 90 members and confirm the effectiveness of the Manifesto as a boundary object for horizontal governance. This demonstrates how sustainability can emerge from dialogue, cooperation, and the co-production of knowledge among local actors. Full article

The winemaking industry represents one of the most important sectors of the Mediterranean agrifood economy, generating large amounts of solid residues, especially grape pomace. The study aimed to evaluate during two consecutive harvest years the influence of the production system (conventional vs. organic) and cultivar on the mineral, chemical, and antioxidant composition, as well as the colorimetric properties, of grape pomaces obtained from four Vitis vinifera L. cultivars in Alentejo-Portugal. The results showed that mineral composition was significantly affected by both production system and cultivar, with organic grape pomace showing higher K and Mn contents, whereas Ca and Cu showed consistently higher content under conventional. Protein content tended to increase under organic production, while fiber and fat were overall higher in conventional, particularly in the first year. Sugars displayed strong cultivar specificity, with Arinto showing the highest concentrations (30 to 40%), and considering all cultivars, total phenolic content ranged between 4000 ando 9000 mg GAE/100 g, while antioxidant capacity varied among cultivars and years. Colorimetric parameters were essentially influenced by cultivar and harvest year rather than production system. The PCA revealed that PC1 (44.06%) represented a gradient associated with mineral and antioxidant composition, while PC2 (21.26%) reflected minor variation in color and sugars, and the hierarchical clustering distinguished Syrah and Alicante Bouschet as the cultivars most responsive to production system, whereas Aragonez and Arinto exhibited greater compositional stability across years. Overall, the findings indicate that both cultivar and management practices (organic and conventional) influence the compositional profile of grape pomace, with organic showing a tendency to enhance K, Mn, protein, and antioxidant parameters, whereas conventional practices favored higher levels of Ca, Cu, and fiber. The results provide valuable insights for the valorization of grape pomace and the development of sustainable viticultural strategies in Mediterranean environments. Full article

Since the mid-20th century, the landscapes of Mediterranean mountain regions have undergone a significant transformation, linked to the socioeconomic changes caused by the opening up of these regions to the market economy. This prompted a rural exodus, the abandoning of farmland and the reduction in livestock, so activating various reforestation processes. In parallel, the “green revolution” promoted the modernization of agrifood systems, so contributing to the decline of traditional ways of farming in mountain areas. The farms on which traditional polyculture and agroforestry are still carried out today are important agrobiodiversity reserves. In this research, we monitor the dynamics of land use and cover and the changes in the structure of the agrifood landscapes on the southern slopes of Sierra Nevada (Spain) by comparing maps from 1956, 1984, 2007 and 2020. The results reveal a sharp decline in cultivated land, from 39.19% to 21.54%, and an expansion of natural covers, especially Mediterranean forest, driven by the abandonment of farmland and reforestation policies. Today, the landscape is composed of a more fragmented, less cohesive mosaic of agroecosystems. These changes indicate a reduction in agrobiodiversity at a landscape level, in line with the tendency observed at farm level in the study area. Full article

Agri-food supply chains, particularly in the rice sector, face persistent challenges in transparency, quality control, and sustainability due to their complexity and fragmentation. Blockchain technology provides a promising solution by ensuring secure, immutable, and verifiable records of production and supply chain activities, supporting both consumer trust and compliance with the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). This study reports on the TRACE-RICE Mediterranean pilot project, which developed a blockchain-enabled traceability system for rice production in Portugal. A Rice Field Data Recording App, built with ArcGIS Survey123, digitized agronomic and compliance records from Integrated Production systems and linked them to blockchain-verified QR codes on consumer packaging. The pilot conducted during the 2023 harvest demonstrated the potential to enhance data consistency and streamline field recording processes, thereby improving transparency in farming practices. A total of 174 QR code interactions, primarily from Lisbon, revealed consumer engagement patterns valuable for future business analysis. The scaling phase during the 2024 harvest confirmed the system’s adaptability to different varieties and production contexts, positioning blockchain as a replicable model for sustainable and competitive rice supply chains. Full article

Nowadays, arsenic (As) accumulation in agricultural soils and its transfer in crop yields is representing a growing concern that threatens food safety and security in the Mediterranean environment. Soil tillage and fertilization may increase the accumulation of As in plant tissues; therefore, there is a need to develop sustainable agronomical practices capable of supporting crop yield while mitigating As accumulation. The current study was carried out through a 7-year experiment with the aim of evaluating the As uptake by different parts of the durum wheat plant. The experimental treatments include the following: (i) three soil tillage practices (plowing, subsoiling, and spading) and (ii) two fertilization methods (mineral and organic). A factorial randomized complete block design with three replications was adopted. The experimental period refers to the 2018/2019, 2019/2020, and 2020/2021 growing seasons. The results suggest that the maximum level of As was found in plant roots and the minimum in wheat kernels. The chemical fertilization as 2020 × Mineral (1.522 mg As kg⁻¹ d.m.) and 2020 × Plowing (1.855 mg As kg⁻¹ d.m.) had the maximum As content in the roots. Conversely, the content of As was at a minimum in the wheat kernels for organic fertilization as 2021 × Organic (0.012 mg As kg⁻¹ d.m.) and subsoiling tillage as 2021 × Subsoiling (0.008 mg As kg⁻¹ d.m.). Moreover, the application of an organic fertilization source as a tool for enhancing the soil organic matter content also significantly decreased the As content. The results suggest that reduced tillage practices and the adoption of organic amendment could be classified as sustainable agronomic practices in agri-food systems, which are able to improve plant quality and assure a safe consumption of wheat kernels. Full article

In the dynamic landscape of agriculture and food science, incorporating emergent crops appears as a pioneering solution for diversifying agriculture, unlocking possibilities for sustainable cultivation and nutritional bolstering food security, and creating economic prospects amid evolving environmental and market conditions with positive impacts on human health. This review explores the potential of utilizing emergent crops in Mediterranean environments under current climate scenarios, emphasizing the manifold benefits of agricultural and food system diversification and assessing the impact of environmental factors on their quality and consumer health. Through a deep exploration of the resilience, nutritional value, and health impacts of neglected and underutilized species (NUS) such as quinoa, amaranth, chia, moringa, buckwheat, millet, teff, hemp, or desert truffles, their capacity to thrive in the changing Mediterranean climate is highlighted, offering novel opportunities for agriculture and functional food development. By analysing how promoting agricultural diversification can enhance food system adaptability to evolving environmental conditions, fostering sustainability and resilience, we discuss recent findings that underscore the main benefits and limitations of these crops from agricultural, food science, and health perspectives, all crucial for responsible and sustainable adoption. Thus, by using a sustainable and holistic approach, this revision analyses how the integration of NUS crops into Mediterranean agrifood systems can enhance agriculture resilience and food quality addressing environmental, nutritional, biomedical, economic, and cultural dimensions, thereby mitigating the risks associated with monoculture practices and bolstering local economies and livelihoods under new climate scenarios. Full article

The concept of Multifunctional Territorialized Agrifood Systems (MTASs) arose as an alternative to global hegemonic models in the 21st century. This study intends to identify the main ecosystem values and services generated by the MTAS of the carob tree in the territory of Valencia, which is one of the most characteristic dryland fruit tree species farmed in the Mediterranean. To do so, a multi-criteria quantitative evaluation system has been used that enables values to be assigned to the kinds of significance placed on MTASs. For this purpose, a questionnaire was carried out with 268 local inhabitants. The global score obtained is 7.6 points, indicating a high heritage value. Some of the criteria with the best scores are related to the authenticity of the carob tree and its social and historical values since this crop is a testament to ancestral techniques and traditions. Furthermore, this Mediterranean crop provides numerous ecosystem services and has multiple properties and applications, mainly in the food and pharmaceutical industries. The local population has scored the vulnerability value with only 4.1 points as a consequence of the progressive abandonment of the cultivated area in recent decades. Therefore, greater involvement from social stakeholders is essential in order to preserve this crop. Full article

Nature-based solutions (NBSs), defined as actions that work with and enhance nature, providing environmental, social, and economic benefits, play a pivotal role in accomplishing multiple objectives within the Water–Ecosystem–Food Nexus domain. They contribute to facilitating the transition to more resilient agrifood systems and providing an evidence base for a broader Nexus policy dialogue. This paper describes the stepwise methodology developed in the EU-funded LENSES project to carry out a comprehensive analysis of NBSs in six pilot areas in five Mediterranean countries and presents the results of NBS implementation in four pilot areas, highlighting obstacles and opportunities. The methodology includes the development of an analytical evaluation framework and a comprehensive catalogue of Nexus-related NBSs, whose suitability needs to be assessed at the local level to achieve better use of protected/natural ecosystems, increase the sustainability and multifunctionality of managed ecosystems, and design and manage novel ecosystems. Subsequently, in a collective learning process that supported the operationalisation of the WEF Nexus, NBSs were identified that address specific contextual vulnerabilities, improve water distribution, and enhance food security while preserving ecosystems and supporting adaptation to climate change. The added value of the proposed methodology lies in the multi-stakeholder participatory approach to gain in-depth knowledge of local agri-food systems, including their main WEF-related challenges, and to facilitate overcoming barriers to NBS implementation. Finally, a final survey was conducted among a small group of purposively selected stakeholders to gain some insight into their perceptions of the impact of NBS and to gather some opinions on the main barriers and opportunities. Full article

Intensive agriculture has created several problems in cropping systems that threaten the sustainability of agricultural production. In order to design new cropping systems, a new approach is emerging to support the transition toward sustainable agriculture: a co-design and co-evaluation process that involves stakeholders in the agrifood chain. The present work therefore describes the co-design and co-evaluation process that was followed to design a highly diversified cropping system in a Mediterranean environment. The different systems that were co-designed include the reference system, with wheat and barley in rotation, as well as three diversified systems that were also proposed and co-evaluated: the rotation of wheat, oil seed rape, and barley (DIV1); the rotation of wheat, pea, and barley (DIV2); and the rotation of wheat, intercrops of barley-common vetch, and barley (DIV3). The best system that was selected from the different stakeholders was the DIV3, as it had the highest evaluation of the stakeholders using agronomic, environmental, and socio-economic criteria. Full article

Along with population growth, global climate change represents a critical threat to agricultural production, compromising the goal of achieving food and nutrition security for all. It is urgent to create sustainable and resilient agri-food systems capable of feeding the world without debilitating the planet. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) refers to pulses as a superfood, as one of the most nutritious crops with high health benefits. Considered to be low-cost, many can be produced in arid lands and have an extended shelf-life. Their cultivation helps reduce greenhouse gases and increases carbon sequestration, also improving soil fertility. Cowpea, Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. is particularly drought tolerant, with a wide diversity of landraces adapted to different environments. Considering the importance of knowing and valuing the genetic variability of this species in Portugal, this study assessed the impact of drought on four landraces of cowpea (L1 to L4) from different regions of the country and a national commercial variety (CV) as a reference. The development and evaluation of morphological characteristics were monitored in response to terminal drought (imposed during the reproductive phase), and its effects were evaluated on the yield and quality of the produced grain, namely the weight of 100 grains, color, protein content, and soluble sugars. Under drought conditions, the landraces L1 and L2 showed early maturation as a strategy to avoid water deficit. Morphological alteration of the aerial part of the plants was evident in all genotypes, with a rapid reduction in the number of leaves and a reduction in the number of flowers and pods by between 44 and 72%. The parameters of grain quality, the weight of 100 grains, color, protein, and soluble sugars did not vary significantly, except for sugars of the raffinose family that is associated with the adaptive mechanisms of plants to drought. The performance and maintenance of the evaluated characteristics reflect the adaptation acquired in the past by exposure to the Mediterranean climate, highlighting the potential agronomic and genetic value, still little exploited, that could contribute to production stability, preserved nutritional value, and food safety under water stress. Full article

The U.S. agri-food system is a driver of climate change and other impacts. In order to achieve environmental targets that limit global mean temperature rise ≤2 °C, a shift in American dietary patterns is critical. The purpose of this study was twofold: (1) to determine the environmental impact (i.e., land use, water use, and GHG emissions) related to consumption of five U.S. dietary patterns (i.e., Current U.S., the Healthy U.S., Mediterranean, Healthy Vegetarian, and Vegan), and (2) to determine the specific impact of each food group in each dietary pattern on the three environmental indicators. This study utilized existing datasets to synthesize information related to the study’s environmental indicators and food production and connected these data to the current U.S. diet and the USDA-defined diets. Results indicate that the three omnivore diets contributed the greatest to GHG emissions, land use and water use. The Vegan diet scored the lowest across all indicators, although the water required for plant-based protein nearly offset other water gains. For the omnivore diets, red meat and dairy milk contributed the most to each environmental indicator. By considering sustainability as well as health outcomes in their recommendations in the Dietary Guidelines, the USDA can have a critical role in shifting diets necessary to alter climate change trends. Full article

Multifunctional agrifood systems with noteworthy roots in a territory are the result of a historical yet dynamic specialization. They are present in the place’s knowledge, social connections, collective action, the organization of institutions, innovation and capital. These systems are seen in the landscape, which becomes a resource as well as cultural and environmental heritage. In this regard, it is necessary to study the significance of the many aspects of heritage and landscape in agrifood systems to suitably manage and appreciate them as a territorial resource. This study develops and applies a quantitative method with various criteria to enable the landscape values of multifunctional, territorialized agrifood systems (MTAS in Spanish) to be evaluated, paying attention to essential matters such as the process of heritage recognition and the quality of their landscapes. To do so, a method designed by the authors for evaluating landscapes has been adapted to the peculiarities that define such systems, made up of criteria such as representativeness, authenticity, ecological integrity, vulnerability, accessibility and historical, social and symbolic values. The method has been applied to an exemplary Mediterranean landscape, the agricultural gardens of Valencia, which combine features of MTAS in metropolitan and coastal flatland contexts. Full article

Sustainability, circular economy and alternative production systems are urgent imperatives for humanity and animal husbandry. Unless wasted, agri-food by-products can offer a promising source of high value. We evaluated the effect of rice bran (RB), corncob (CC), potato peels (PP), solid biogas residues (BR), and olive-oil processing residuals (OR), as alternative substrates to wheat bran (WB as control), on the growth and nutritional value of Tenebrio molitor during its breeding for animal feeds and/or human consumption. Innovation-wise, we further investigated the substrate supplementation (0, 10, 20%) with post-distillation residues of Mediterranean aromatic-medicinal plants (MAPs: lavender, Greek oregano, rosemary, olive; 1:1:1:1 ratio). Tenebrio molitor larvae (TML) were reared in all the studied substrates, and TML and diets’ proximate and fatty acid compositions as well as total phenol and flavonoid content and antioxidant potential were assessed using standard procedures. After statistical analysis of correlations, we observed that CC promoted oviposition and progeny survival; larval weight and dry matter were positively affected mainly by dietary energy and fat content; number of TML and/or larval weight increased using 10% MAPs inclusion in WB, RB and OR or RB, OR, BR and PP, respectively, which did not affect protein content; TML fatty acid composition decreased the content of saturated ones and increased that of mono-unsaturated ones; MAPs residues had an apparent favorable impact on total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of each substrate, with RB displaying the highest capacity and content. These findings indicate that alternative substrates can be exploited and their enrichment with natural phenolics is able to influence T. molitor growth, offering highly beneficial and nutritional value. Full article

Circular economy (CE) is increasingly seen as a promising paradigm for transitioning agri-food systems towards more sustainable models of production and consumption, enabling virtuous and regenerative biological metabolisms based on strategies of eco-efficiency and eco-effectiveness. This contribution seeks to provide a theoretical and empirical framework for operationalizing the CE principles into the olive oil supply chain, that plays a central role in the agroecological systems of the Mediterranean region. A scoping literature review has been conducted in order to identify the available pathways so far explored by scholars for reshaping the olive oil supply chain from a circular perspective. The analyzed literature has been charted on the base of the circular pathway examined, and according to the supply chain subsystem(s) to which it refers. Results are discussed highlighting the main issues, the technology readiness level of the available pathways, the prevailing approaches and knowledge gaps. A synthetic evidence map is provided, framing visually the scrutinized pathways into the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s CE ‘butterfly’ graph. The work is intended to be a valuable baseline for inquiring how circularity can be advanced in the specific supply chain of olive oil, and which are the strategic opportunities, as well as the barriers to overcome, in order to foster the transition. Full article

The agri-food frameworks have specific characteristics (production units with small dimensions and in great number with implications in the respective markets) that call for adjusted approaches, even more so when they are considered in Mediterranean contexts (where global warming will have relevant impacts). In fact, the Mediterranean regions and countries have particular specificities (due to their climate conditions) that distinguish them from their neighbours. This is particularly true in Europe, for example, where the southern countries present socioeconomic dynamics (associated with the respective public debt) that are different from those identified in the northern regions. From this perspective, it seems pertinent to analyse the several dimensions of the agri-food systems in the Mediterranean area. To achieve these objectives, a search was carried out on 26 December 2020 on the scientific databases Web of Science Core Collection (WoS) and Scopus for the topics “agr*-food” and “Mediterranean”. These keywords were selected after a previous literature survey and to capture the agri-food contexts in Mediterranean regions. The keyword “agr*-food” was considered in this way to allow for a wider search (including “agri-food”, “agro-food”, etc.). Considering only articles (excluding proceeding papers, book chapters, and books, because in some cases it is difficult to access the entire content of the document), 100 and 117 documents were obtained from the WoS and Scopus, respectively. After removing the duplicated studies and taking into account the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) approach, 137 documents were surveyed through a literature review. As main insights, several dimensions embedded in the concept of agri-food were highlighted, from those related to heritage subjects to natural assets. On the other hand, the following subtopics were identified: agri-food dynamics and sustainability, agriculture and agri-food systems, agri-chains and food consumption, and food production and composition impact on agri-chains. Stressing the gaps in the scientific literature, related to the topics here addressed, there are possibilities to better explore the several dimensions and solutions offered by the new developments associated with smart agriculture and agriculture 4.0, specifically for the Mediterranean contexts and their challenges. Finally, to complement the PRISMA methodologies, an MB2MBA2 (Methodology Based on Benchmarking of Metadata, from scientific databases, and Bibliometric Assessment and Analysis) approach is suggested to carry out systematic literature reviews, based on bibliometric analysis. Full article