This 3 year H2020 Twinning project is being led by the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST). It focuses on four main themes: (i) Reducing water demands for agriculture, (ii) Making better use of alternative water sources, (iii) Renewable desalinization, on-farm desalinization and utilization of saline water, and (iv) Decreasing the negative environmental impacts associated with nutrient-rich farm waters. In order to achieve these objectives, MCAST are working with the Agricultural Directorate within the Department for Rural Development (Malta) and partners from Italy (CIHEAM IAMB Bari), UK (Cranfield University), Spain (Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya, UPC), Europe for Business (EFB) and Belguim (Innovation & Development Consulting, IDC).



Underpinning these four research and knowledge translation themes, the following capacity building and networking activities are being undertaken, (i) strengthening institutional collaboration between MCAST and its partners in terms of research capacity, (ii) training personnel so that Maltese entities will be able to work better together and engage with other consortia to undertake excellent scientific research in agricultural water management and technology, (iii) developing new lines of research drawing on the expertise from the three internationally leading research institutions (Spain, UK, Italy), (iv) publication of peer-reviewed papers resulting from collaborative research undertaken by the project consortia, (v) developing new international research partnerships, and (vi) providing new knowledge and innovative solutions to local farmers and policy-makers to support better decision-making for water management in Maltese agriculture.



The 3 year project is split into 5 work packages, including one for management and coordination, involving: capacity building through several targeted and advanced training courses, short-term staff exchanges, summer schools and virtual training; research networking and knowledge sharing through providing technical assistance to establish new demonstration sites to promote innovations and best practices in agricultural water management, helping foster new collaborations through co-design of research questions, and developing a joint strategy for high impact research and dissemination; designing a research strategy and performing dissemination and outreach activities. This will lead to strengthening MCAST’s research and S&T capacity in water use in agriculture, enhancing the dynamism between the different partners, extending the partnership of research Institutions in the sector in question, contribute to an increase in peer-reviewed publications and complement in more ways than one Malta’s Smart Specialization Strategy.