On 23 October 2026, farmers, agri-food professionals and university students gathered at CREA in Monterotondo, Italy, to explore practical solutions for sustainable water management and climate-resilient agriculture.
On Friday, 23 October 2026, the CREA Research Centre for Engineering and Agro-Food Processing in Monterotondo, near Rome, hosted the stakeholder meeting “The Agriculture of the Future: Sustainability and Resilience – The Impact of the WATERMELLON and WISEMED Projects”. Organised by CREA, a WISEMED project partner, in collaboration with CREA’s Centre for Policies and Bioeconomy, the event brought together agricultural entrepreneurs and agri-food sector professionals to discuss sustainable water management solutions, particularly in areas affected by prolonged periods of drought.
During the meeting, participants learned about the activities and solutions developed through WISEMED and WATERMELLON, exploring practical approaches to improving water management and strengthening the resilience of agricultural systems in the face of climate-related challenges.
The event also included a guided visit to the solutions implemented at CREA, allowing participants to observe practical applications and gain a deeper understanding of the technologies and approaches presented during the meeting.
University students from Sapienza University of Rome also took part in the initiative. The visit offered them an opportunity to connect their academic studies with real-world applications and explore how research and innovation can contribute to more sustainable agricultural practices. Their interest in the two projects highlighted the value of knowledge exchange between researchers, agricultural professionals and the next generation of experts.
ICU – Istituto per la Cooperazione Universitaria ETS also took part in the meeting as the lead partner of WISEMED and a partner of WATERMELLON, reaffirming its commitment to cooperation and innovation initiatives aimed at promoting more sustainable water resource management and strengthening the resilience of agricultural systems across the Mediterranean region.
By bringing together research institutions, agricultural stakeholders and students, the meeting fostered dialogue on the challenges facing agriculture and the practical solutions available to improve water management. It also highlighted the importance of collaboration between research and the agricultural sector in promoting more sustainable and climate-resilient farming systems across the Mediterranean.
WISEMED is funded by the European Union under the Interreg NEXT MED Programme and aims to promote sustainable water management practices and support farmers in addressing water scarcity and climate change challenges across the Mediterranean region.
