Following the International Year of soils and the COP21 that marked 2015, Fert continued early 2016 its actions in the Mediterranean on the theme of conservation agriculture – minimum soil disturbance, plant cover and diversified rotations – that is a production systems within agro-ecology.

Within the framework of the RCM, activities, Mediterranean network “farmer-researcher” focuses on the innovative agro-systems, Fert co-organized with Ciheam and Icarda a thorough course entitled “Recent Trends in Conservation Agriculture in Mediterranean Environments”. It took place in early April, 2016 to the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Zaragoza in Spain.

Among the 23 registered participants from eight Mediterranean countries and representing a variety of actors (producer organizations, development, research, but also of the administration), a number of key individuals were selected, resulting from organizations and national institutions, and may be of future assets relay for the development of conservation agriculture (CA) in their countries.

Beyond the technical and economic content related to the practice of innovative systems, high-level courses helped reinforce the idea that the CA adapted to local contexts, is a forward-looking solutions to meet the challenges climate change while addressing the issues raised by the farmers (improving soil fertility, fight against erosion, stable yields, lower production costs, etc.). It was also an opportunity to create links between all actors and the structures they represent.

During the general presentation of Fert and more particularly activities on the CA in the Maghreb, the projection of the video turned in Morocco in 2013 with local POs and with actors of the search and the development was particularly appreciated.

On this occasion, the actions and the partnerships of Fert in the Mediterranean were discovered by some, better included by others, and image of Fert and the RCM were strengthened it.