Water scarcity is one of the major challenges facing agriculture across the Mediterranean. In Jordan, the WISEMED – MEDiterranean joint Water management and conservatIon SustainablE solutions project is bringing partners together to test innovative solutions and explore new ways to use water more efficiently and sustainably.
As part of the project’s field activities, ICU – Istituto per la Cooperazione Universitaria ETS, WISEMED Lead Partner, travelled to Jordan for an exchange with the National Agricultural Research Center (NARC), project partner. The visit provided an opportunity to meet with the local team, exchange technical knowledge and take a closer look at the solutions being tested in the project’s pilot activities.
Funded by the European Union through the Interreg NEXT MED Programme, WISEMED aims to increase the adoption of integrated and sustainable water management measures in irrigated agriculture across the Mediterranean. In Jordan, the collaboration with NARC is translating this objective into practical field trials addressing water scarcity and climate-related challenges.
The field activities focus on a range of innovative technologies and practices:
- Decision Support System (DSS): a digital system that analyses field data to support irrigation decisions and optimise water use.
- Superabsorbent polymer hydrogels: tested for their capacity to retain water in the soil and reduce irrigation requirements.
- Tertiary wastewater treatment through ultrasonic cavitation (sonication): a chemical-free approach being tested to help maintain irrigation systems.
- Drip irrigation and smart sensors: combining soil moisture monitoring with satellite imagery to support more precise irrigation.
- Organic mulching: comparative trials of different materials to reduce evaporation and preserve soil moisture.
The exchange between ICU and NARC highlighted the value of bringing together technical expertise, local knowledge and practical experience. By testing solutions under real field conditions and sharing knowledge across countries, WISEMED is helping to identify approaches that can respond to the specific needs of Mediterranean agriculture.
From digital tools to nature-based practices, the project is exploring how innovation can support farmers in making better use of one of the region’s most precious resources: water.
The experience in Jordan is part of WISEMED’s wider Mediterranean cooperation, which brings together partners from Jordan, Tunisia, Spain, Italy and Lebanon to test solutions, exchange knowledge and strengthen the resilience of agricultural systems across the region.
