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Project Topic
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The project aims to develop an agroecological sheep/goat farming system (HaloSheep) based on the valorization of spontaneous halophytes of saline area of the coastal Mediterranean regions, threated by climate change (CL), salinization of water and soil, anthropogenic pressures, biological invasions, and extinction of native species. This project is based on a multidisciplinary approach considering soil-plant-atmosphere continuum, plant-animal-human food chain, and socio-environmental constraints. The challenge is to maintain a balance between productivity, household food security, and environmental preservation in systems developed in high salinity and in a context of CL. The consortium is multidisciplinary with complementary skills to carry out systemic approaches and model the functioning of the ecosystem and provide tangible solutions improving the sustainability of the ecosystem and its resilience to CL. The work will be carried out in collaboration with development organizations, associations, and breeders. Six Mediterranean countries (Tunisia, Greece, Turkey, Italy, France, Spain) are implicated and three of them (Tunisia, Greece and Turkey) are concerned by the prototype study, on the field. In each country, one or two locations are considered (Kerkennah archipelago for Tunisia, Creta and Aegean Islands for Greece and lake of Burdur and Yarışlı for Turkey). The approach is to characterize first the existing agrosystem and then to propose innovative practices, based on agroecological concepts (HaloSheep agroecosystem) to improve the technical, economic, social and environmental sustainability. The typology of sheep/goat production system will be done to evaluate the importance of this activity in the target areas. The spatio-temporal flora diversity will be analysed to identify the most valuable pasture resources and model some species dynamic in a context of CL. Sustainable feeding systems based on halophytes and maximal incorporation of local resources will be developed. Genetic diversity of local breeds will be explored to identify high impact candidate alleles that may contribute to adaptation to harsh conditions and CL. In pilot farms, risks factors for animal health and welfare will be identified and assessed to develop and promote best practices for livestock health and welfare. Health benefits (antibacterial and antiparasitic effects) of halophytes extracts will be also evaluated. Sensorial and nutritional milk and meat qualities produced according to innovative feeding practices will be appreciated, to assess labelling possibilities, considering ecological, agronomical, socio-economic and regulatory data. The novel products can be highly valued in a context of promotion of agroecological and sustainable agriculture. Finally, economic, social, and environmental sustainability of the HaloSheep agroecosystem will be studied to highlight the potential increase of income for sheep and goat farms. HaloSheep project will impacts at the short and long terms, it will increase knowledge concerning the genetic diversity of local breeds, their adaptation capacity to salinity, thermic stress and their phenotypic traits that provide a longer-term impact as a basis for the sustainable development of small ruminant system. It will improve knowledge about extremophile flora, represented by halophytes and their possible adaptation with CL. The project is expected to help local communities to develop farms based on local breeds in order not only to increase production by terms of yields but also by terms of better-quality products and better biodiversity and environment management. The sustainability and viability of the farms could be achieved, with parallel amelioration of farmers ‘income.
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