Farms4Climate partners discuss the project’s impact in the Tunisian Living Lab

The third exchange between Farms4Climate partners took place at the Djebba LL in Tunisia, where INRGREF received IFOAM representatives. Agroforestry systems for fig production, regenerative practices, and the implementation of a Community Based Organisation were some of the explored topics. 

Exchange between Farms4Climate (F4C) partners continued last November with the visit that IFOAM representatives conducted to the Djebba Living Lab (LL) in Tunisia, managed by the National Research Institute of Rural Engineering, Water and Forests (INRGREF). The visit aimed at sharing the experience of the Tunisian LL in agroforestry systems with different agronomic managements, as well as the application of regenerative practices and the implementation of a Community Based Organisation (CBO).

During the exchange, partners had the opportunity to discuss the development, success and challenges related to the Farms4Climate project, highlighting the contributions of the project in the Djebba region to improve soil quality and water efficiency. In particular, the newly built water reservoirs have improved immensely the collective water management system implemented by the CBO, thus increasing the impact of the irrigation system and minimizing at the same time water waste.

A visit to the actual agricultural location of the Living Lab took place, where farmers and INRGREF staff presented the traditional techniques for fig production and harvesting. The participants also discussed the direct impacts of climate change on the region's microclimate and its effects for the local community, as well as how they have been able to complement and even improve agricultural output with innovative carbon farming techniques. In addition, an inspection of the experimental weather station that was installed using F4C funds was performed. The weather station is currently going through an initial testing phase, before it is moved and installed directly at the Living Lab for ultimate use by the CBO participants.

The field visit in the Living Lab was a hands-on, immersive experience where local stakeholders (researchers, farmers, community members) and visitors engaged directly with the environment, technologies and techniques tested in the F4C project. The visit bridged the gap between theory and practice, offering valuable insights into how solutions are co-created, tested, and implemented in real-world settings.