Building Resilience in Mediterranean Agro-Pastoralism with SUREPASTOR

Transforming Agro-Pastoralism practices for a Sustainable, Climate-Resilient Future

November 2024 – The Mediterranean region, renowned for its rich agro-pastoral heritage, faces urgent challenges as climate change and desertification increasingly threaten the livability of traditional farming practices. The SUREPASTOR project, co-funded by the PRIMA Programme (Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area), and coordinated by the University of Florence, is pioneering innovative strategies to build resilience and sustainability in Mediterranean agro-pastoral communities across Italy, Tunisia, Morocco, and Egypt.

Addressing the Core challenges of Mediterranean Agro-Pastoralism

Agro-pastoralism remains a crucial part of Mediterranean life, supporting employment, food security, and income stability, especially for women and younger generations. However, the sector is at risk due to unpredictable weather patterns and resource scarcity. By integrating time-tested practices with cutting-edge technology, SUREPASTOR aims to empower local farmers to better manage livestock, preserve vital pasture resources, and foster ecological resilience in the face of climate change.

SUREPASTOR combines traditional pastoral knowledge with modern digital tools to create a climate-resilient framework for agro-pastoral communities.

Key strategies include:

• Implementing rotational grazing, structured rest periods, and optimised use of traditional sheep breeds that are more resilient to shifting pasture compositions due to climate change.
• Field-tested innovations such as smart collars, ear tags, and remote sensing enable real-time monitoring of animal health, grazing patterns, and land use changes, providing valuable data to inform adaptive management.

The project is assessing the impact of these innovations on pasture management, livestock productivity, ecosystem biodiversity, and economic stability. This comprehensive approach will enhance understanding of how climate-resilient practices affect both environmental sustainability and economic viability, benefiting local communities, particularly women and younger generations.

Here, the theory will be tested into practice to enhance the pastoral techniques and livestock farming solutions.These management practices will be tested in 10 pilot farms that are the representatives of the countries mentioned, which have been selected based on their development in modernity and localisation in the Mediterranean region. 

About SUREPASTOR

The SUREPASTOR project is coordinated by the Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry University of Florence with a collaborative effort between several research institutions, including Kontor 46 Sas (Italy), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR) Istituto per la BioEconomica (Italy), Higher Agriculture School of Mograne (Tunisia), Institute Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II (Morocco), University Hasan I (Morocco), and Desert Research Center (Egypt). 

For more information on SUREPASTOR and its progress, please contact the project coordinator: mariavittoria.moretti@unifi.it