H2020 FOWARIM Project: Promoting Research and Innovation in Water and Agriculture in Malta

A kick-off meeting for the FOWARIM project was held. All partners met in Malta between February 25 and 26, 2016, while the first meeting of the Project Steering Group was held at the IAMB campus (Bari, Italy) on February 27, 2017. To ensure the high quality of the project's outputs, deliverables, and key events, one of the partners (EfB) is monitoring and supervising the quality assurance of the deliverables. An evaluation report was prepared, which included all policies, strategies, and governance related to agricultural water research. The study provided an overview of the situation in Malta that will serve as a reference for the project.

Regarding training, the program for the scientific and management courses was agreed upon, and the first two were organized. These were “Reducing Groundwater Pollution: Good Nutrient and Waste Management Practices,” held at the University of Alicante (Alicante, Spain) from January 9–13, 2017, and “Adapting Agricultural Water Use to a Changing Climate,” delivered by Cranfield University (UK) from March 20–24, 2017. Each course consists of two days of technical training, a field visit, followed by a two-day intensive program on research proposal writing and transferable skills in research article writing and developing personal publication strategies. A methodology, design, and concept for the first Summer School, to be held from September 4 to 7, 2017, in Malta at the MCAST facilities, were developed, while the e-learning methodology, structure, content, program, and schedule were presented to contributing partners for feedback. Following feedback, EfB created an e-learning platform structure and uploaded approximately 80% of the content, which is available within private folders on the Moodle platform.

On April 14, 2016, a meeting with 22 Maltese stakeholders was held at MCAST (Malta) to discuss and identify challenges and potential solutions in water resources management, with a particular focus on the agricultural sector. MCAST and NARC maintain ongoing contact with local research entities, such as the University of Malta and the Maltese Government's Energy and Water Unit, among others, to strengthen local networks and inter-agency cooperation. To further strengthen the relationship between the project and one of its most important stakeholders, farmers, an on-farm demonstration day is planned for June 16, providing an opportunity to focus on R&D innovations in crop monitoring and management, soil moisture sensing, irrigation system management, and water resources (quantity and quality) relevant to Maltese agriculture and the agricultural sector.

This event is aimed at Maltese farmers and will focus on tomatoes, one of the most popular crops in Malta. The project saw the first research efforts related to FOWARIM objectives. Cranfield staff supervised two Master's students who conducted field research in Malta during 2016 in areas related to FOWARIM themes. They received active support from MCAST and FOWARIM staff. A research committee was also established to discuss new knowledge acquired by MCAST and DoA participants through training, the outcomes of workshops with stakeholders, other input from the various FOWARIM tasks, and industry needs to develop research lines in collaboration with other FOWARIM partners. The Terms of Reference for the External Scientific Advisory Board were drafted and published. Two irrigation experts applied for the positions. The Board members are in continuous contact with the research committee, with the former guiding the latter in the research lines being developed and discussed. A project portal was created, along with social media profiles and a project brochure. In addition, a dissemination strategy was developed, establishing guidelines and standards for partner communication to ensure adequate dissemination of the project.