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Project Topic
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Desertification and freshwater availability have become the most limiting factors for agricultural production in the
Mediterranean basin. Thus, there is an urgent need to introduce crop species that are more tolerant to water shortages able to
grow in marginal lands subjected to desertification. These neglected and underutilized species (NUS) having adapted to arid
climates, show greater resilience to adverse conditions compared to major crops and have the potential to induce a positive
shift in the soil water balance and carbon storage. NUS could represent a valid alternative for farmers, in particular small holders
to produce economic value converting marginal or low productivity soils to productive ones. The overarching goal of VENUS is to
demonstrate the environmental and economic potential of introducing low water demanding NUS adapted to grow in dry
conditions, often in combination with other limiting factors like high salinity and reduced nutrient inputs. The five specific
objectives of VENUS are: 1) Provide knowledge-based evidence of environmental and economic benefits of NUS cultivation in
already existing demonstration sites; 2) Set up of 10 demonstration sites in different Mediterranean countries (Greece, Italy,
Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt) already affected and/or forecasted to be increasingly affected by land degradation; 3) Transfer
additional knowledge on how to exploit NUS crops at best, assisting farmers in entering Living Labs and markets to promote
their products and/or to explore new types of exploitation of their products; 4) Assess the environmental, social and economic
scalability of the NUS cultivation at country scale; 5) Raise awareness among farmers, public authorities and food industries of
the benefits derived by the introduction of NUS crops. VENUS will demonstrate the environmental potential (Goal 1) of
introducing 10 NUS (Opuntia ficus indica; Crithmum maritimum; Salicornia europea; Salsola Soda, Atriplex, Suaeda, Beta
Maritima, Anchusa strigosa, Echium judaeum and Borago officinalis) for which the project partners have already developed a
direct experience and knowledge in terms of agronomic performance and marketable opportunities. The market opportunities
(Goal 2) will exploit the possibility for the local communities to utilize NUS for agricultural production, which can sustain internal
demand and enhance economic growth. The scalability and transferability (Goal 3) will be reached by using suitability maps and
a decision support system (DSS) taking into account current and future climate scenarios. VENUS will disseminate and promote
project results among farmers and their associations, processors, retailers, practitioners, researchers and policy makers showing
the benefits derived from the NUS agricultural systems through the VE-NUS network platform. VENUS will provide ready to use
tools (suitability maps, DSS, VE-NUS network platform) and a NUS Policy Initiative brief to governance authorities to better plan
the management of their marginal lands and low productivity agro-ecosystems. Moreover, it will provide farmers with simple
and inexpensive measures to increase their income. Finally, it will foster the introduction of incentives to small and sustainable
agribusiness and will involve women and youth in the processing of the crops thanks to the strong link with the local culinary
and medicine traditions of NUS crops.
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