As part of the WaterMellon project, funded by the PRIMA Program, two stakeholder workshops were successfully held in Lebanon: the first on 26 July 2025 in Iaat (Baalbeck-Hermel Governorate) and the second on 24 August 2025 in Yohmor (Nabatiyeh Governorate).
These events marked an important milestone in strengthening local engagement with the project’s core mission: building the resilience of dryland farming systems in the Mediterranean, adapting to increasing water scarcity, and promoting the use of underutilized, climate-resilient crops such as quinoa and teff.
Organized by ICU – Istituto per la Cooperazione Universitaria, in collaboration with local partners, the workshops brought together 27 participants in Iaat and 40 in Yohmor, including farmers, agricultural engineers, extension agents, cooperative members, and local authorities from surrounding communities.
The sessions aimed to:
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Introduce the WaterMellon project’s vision, objectives, and structure;
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Present PRIMA as the funding body and the international consortium behind the initiative;
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Highlight the role of the Lebanese pilot sites;
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Encourage dialogue on agricultural challenges under climate stress.
Participants actively engaged in discussions, presentations, and knowledge-sharing exercises. The atmosphere was dynamic and collaborative, with many expressing strong interest in contributing to the next phases of the project and joining the local stakeholder group that will accompany its implementation.
These workshops laid the foundation for continued collaboration and impact in Lebanon, ensuring that local knowledge and experience remain central to the WaterMellon project’s success.
