Articulating agroecology and water resilience for sustainable food systems through collective intelligence and support for territories - MAHDIA

Based on a participatory methodology, the aim of the MAHDIA project is to initiate and support dynamics for the socio-economic development of 鈥減roducts of territorial interest鈥�, by articulating agroecological, water, food, environmental and health issues in the territories of Meknes and Sefrou in Morocco, Kairouan in Tunisia and Fatick in Senegal.
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Issues

The goal of the MAHDIA project is to support territorial dynamics that foster a shift towards more sustainable food systems, by articulating water resilience, agroecology, food security and food sovereignty issues. The project is sensitive to the challenges of food democracy and social inclusion, and builds on multi-stakeholder engagement mechanisms that involve the different categories of stakeholders within food systems, including citizen-consumers. MAHDIA sees stronger linkages between producers and consumers within the territories as a key driver of change towards more sustainable food systems.

Description

In connection with research, these territorial multi-stakeholder platforms will co-produce knowledge and co-design socio-economic development activities around “products of territorial interest”: food products that matter to local communities, whether in the fields or on market stalls, in kitchens or on plates, in collective life or for health.

These development activities will be carried out with the involvement of young people, for example as part of educational projects and public events focusing on products of territorial interest. The project covers four territories that combine urban and rural areas: Meknes and Sefrou in Morocco, Kairouan in Tunisia and Fatick in Senegal.

Expected results

Bringing together stakeholder groups within the territories, including both producers and consumers, to support the development of agroecological production that is resilient in terms of water, as well as more sustainable food systems;

  • Identifying products of territorial interest that could drive this territorial development;
  • Raising awareness among local populations, especially young people, about the linkages between issues of water resilience, agroecological transition and sustainable food, through activities to promote products of territorial interest;
  • Raising awareness among local decision-makers about these issues.
Partners :
  • CIHEAM-Montpellier – Centre international de hautes études agronomiques méditerranéennes de Montpellier ;
  • ESIM – Ecole Supérieure des Ingénieurs de Medjez El Bab ;
  • ENA Meknès – Ecole Nationale d’Agriculture de Meknès ;
  • IAV – Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan-II ;
  • ISRA Institut Sénégalais de Recherches Agricoles ; 
  • INAT – Institut National Agronomique de Tunisie ;
  • INRAE – Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement ;
  • Institut Agro Montpellier.
    Associate partners:
  • ESIAT – Ecole Supérieure des Industries Alimentaires de Tunis ;
  •  DyTAEL de Fatick – Dynamique pour une Transition Agroécologique Locale de Fatick.