Full Title and Acronym

Water harvesting and Agricultural techniques in Dry lands: an Integrated and Sustainable model in MAghreb Regions (WADIS-MAR)

Target Countries /  Areas

ALGERIA:      Oued Biskra – Biskra Region

TUNISIA:       Oum Zessar – Medenine Region

Overall Objective(s)

To improve the living conditions of rural populations in arid and semi-arid areas of the Maghreb region in which the increasing water scarcity accelerates ongoing desertification processes.

Specific Objectives of Demonstration Activities

To contribute to an integrated, sustainable and participative water harvesting and water and agriculture management in two watersheds characterized by water scarcity and groundwater overexploitation through the realization of an integrated water harvesting and aquifer recharge system and the implementation of best agricultural practices, with a view to promote adaptation to climate change conditions and particularly droughts.

Expected outputs of Demonstration Activities

• An Integrated Water and Agricultural Management (IWAM) System is designed;
• Agricultural practices and rational irrigation techniques are improved;
• Capacity building and awareness of local and national institutions are enhanced;
• Across-countries activities directed to exchange experiences and lessons learnt are implemented;
• Best practices are widely diffused to other Mediterranean countries.

Leader Organisation / Institution

Desertification Research Group (Centro Interdipartimentale di Ateneo), University of Sassari (NRD-UNISS), Italy

Partner Organisations

1. Institut des Regions Arides (IRA), Tunisia
2. Observatoire du Sahara et du Sahel, Tunisia
3. Agence Nationale des Ressources Hydrauliques (ANRH), Algeria
4. Universitat de Barcelona (UdB), Spain

Contact details

Prof. Giorgio Ghiglieri, Project Coordinator (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

Prof. Giuseppe Enne, Scientific Coordinator (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

Dr. Salvatore Virdis, Project Manager (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

Phone: +39 0792111016

Fax: +39 079217901

e-mail address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Website:www.wadismar.eu