Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1529157
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 10 NOVEMBER 2024 6 COMMERCIAL Sustainable irrigation for the Mediterranean: Insights from the MED-WET project DR FRANCESCA BUSUTTIL THE PRIMA-funded MED-WET project, running from May 2021 to October 2024, brought togeth- er eight partners from Germany, Malta, Portugal, Egypt, and Mo- rocco to address water scarcity in the Mediterranean region. This collaborative initiative, compris- ing higher education institutions and government agencies, sought to enhance irrigation efficien- cy for small farmers, ensuring lasting food and water security across the region. Malta was rep- resented by Eco-Gozo and the Malta College of Arts, Science, and Technology (MCAST), the latter taking on the role of the lead partner for communication and dissemination. MED-WET aimed to improve irrigation efficiency for small- holder farmers by testing three innovative technologies: Con- structed Wetlands Technolo- gy (CWT), the Solar Desalina- tion Greenhouse (SDGH), and Self-regulating, Low Energy, Clay-based Irrigation (SLECI). Each technology was designed to address specific water chal- lenges in the region, conserving resources while supporting crop productivity. In Egypt's Western Desert, the CWT system treated agricul- tural and domestic wastewater through a natural filtration pro- cess involving plants, soil, and microorganisms. This approach significantly reduced biological oxygen demand, chemical oxy- gen demand, turbidity, ammo- nia, and heavy metals. The sys- tem achieved over 91% pollutant removal throughout its testing period from August 2023 to July 2024, making it suitable for irri- gating non-edible crops, such as bamboo. To expand its use, plans are underway to add a low-cost electrolyzer and UV sterilization, which would make the system viable for irrigating edible crops, highlighting the potential of this low-maintenance approach in ar- id regions. In Malta, the SDGH provided a novel way to convert brackish water into freshwater for irriga- tion by using halophytes—plants adapted to saline conditions—to humidify air within the green- house. Freshwater was collect- ed through dehumidification and condensation, yielding 339 liters from July - August 2024. Although the desalination effi- ciency was 22.09%, the SDGH proved to be a steady source of freshwater, which was used to irrigate crops grown in a sepa- rate compartment of the SDGH. Additionally, over 8 kg of Portu- laca oleracea, the halophyte used, was harvested for its nutritional and medicinal properties. Future improvements aim to enhance ventilation and increase water output. The SLECI system was piloted in Malta, Portugal, and Morocco between 2022 and 2024, and was used for the irrigation of various fruit trees. SLECI's clay-based el- ements release water directly to plant roots, minimizing evapo- ration and seepage and reducing water usage by up to 86%. Lo- cally, SLECI was used to irrigate citrus trees and vines, achieving similar results to drip irrigation. For citrus trees, SLECI pro- duced comparable fruit weight, length, and juice volume, while for vines, it delivered equivalent bunch weights and juice volumes, demonstrating the system's effec- tiveness for a variety of crops. As the lead for dissemination and communication, MCAST played a central role in ensuring MED-WET's findings reached a wide audience. MCAST co- ordinated hands-on workshops across Malta, Portugal, Egypt, and Morocco, where farmers and stakeholders engaged directly with the project's technologies. These sessions facilitated knowl- edge exchange and empowered participants to implement wa- ter-efficient practices on their own farms. MCAST also extend- ed the project's impact through digital outreach and events, rais- ing awareness of sustainable ir- rigation and water management practices across the Mediterra- nean. The MED-WET project show- cases the potential of scalable, eco-friendly irrigation solutions tailored to water-scarce regions. By tackling critical regional chal- lenges, MED-WET has shown that sustainable irrigation prac- tices are not only feasible and effective but have the potential for wider application across the Mediterranean and beyond. MED-WET is 100% funded by Xjenza Malta through the PRI- MA initiative of Member States, Associated Countries and Par- ticipating Countries. The PRI- MA Programme is supported by the European Union.