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Cicer arietinum
Known for its high protein and fiber content, chickpea is a staple of Mediterranean cuisine and a key crop in climate-smart agriculture, capable of growing under limited rainfall.
Lens culinaris
A cornerstone crop in Mediterranean diets, lentils are nutrient-rich, quick-maturing, and thrive in semi-arid conditions. They improve soil health and are increasingly used in sustainable food innovations.
Hordeum vulgare
A versatile and drought-tolerant cereal cultivated for food, feed, and brewing. In dry-farming systems, barley is crucial for soil conservation and provides a basis for innovative food and by-product development.
Used mainly as forage or cover crops, vetches contribute to soil nitrogen enrichment, erosion control, and livestock feed quality, supporting integrated crop-livestock systems.
Vicia faba L.
A nutrient-dense legume rich in protein, fiber, and minerals, used in both human diets and livestock feed. Faba bean enriches the soil with nitrogen, supporting sustainable cereal–legume rotations in rainfed farming systems.
Lathyrus sativus
An ancient, drought-tolerant pulse valued for its high protein content and ability to grow in poor, dry soils. Grass pea offers food and feed security in marginal environments while preserving traditional agrobiodiversity.
Highly resilient plants adapted to arid environments, cacti are used for fodder, food, and soil restoration. Their ability to store water and grow on poor soils makes them vital for climate adaptation and combating desertification.
📍 Locations
• Irbid
🌧️ Average rainfall
~250 mm/year
🌱 Crops
🌾 Barley
🌱 Lentil, Chickpea, Faba bean
🌵 Cactus
🧪 Technologies
🔵 Water technologies: T3, T5
🟢 Crop technologies: T7, T8, T9, T12, T13, T14, T15
🟠 Byproduct technologies: T16, T17
🧬 Living Labs: Yes
📍 Locations
• Baalbek-Hermel
• Bekaa
🌧️ Average rainfall
~300–600 mm/year
🌱 Crops
🌾 Barley
🌱 Lentil, Chickpea, Faba bean
🌵 Cactus
🧪 Technologies
🔵 Water technologies: T3, T5
🟢 Crop technologies: T7, T8, T9, T12, T13, T14, T15
🟠 Byproduct technologies: T16, T17
🧬 Living Labs: Yes
📍 Locations
• Kairouan
🌧️ Average rainfall
~250 mm/year
🌱 Crops
🌵 Cactus
🌾 (Barley not indicated)
🌱 Lentil, Faba bean, Grass pea, Vetches
🧪 Technologies
🔵 Water technologies: T2, T6
🟢 Crop technologies: T7, T8, T9, T11, T13, T15
🟠 Byproduct technologies: T18
🧬 Living Labs: Yes
📍 Locations
• Khemisset
• Settat
🌧️ Average rainfall
~250–350 mm/year
🌱 Crops
🌾 Barley
🌱 Lentil, Faba bean
🧪 Technologies
🔵 Water technologies: T2, T6
🟢 Crop technologies: T7, T8, T9, T11, T13, T15
🟠 Byproduct technologies: T18
🧬 Living Labs: Yes
📍 Locations
• Córdoba
🌧️ Average rainfall
~550 mm/year
🌱 Crops
🌾 Barley
🌱 Lentil, Faba bean, Grass pea, Vetches
🧪 Technologies
🟢 Crop technologies: T9, T10
🧬 Living Labs: Yes
📍 Locations
• Porto
• Évora
🌧️ Average rainfall
~450–650 mm/year
🌱 Crops
🌾 Barley
🌱 Lentil, Chickpea, Faba bean
🧪 Technologies
🔵 Water technologies: T5
🟢 Crop technologies: T7, T11
🟠 Byproduct technologies: T12, T18
🧬 Living Labs: Yes
OXFAM Italy (OIT) is part of an international confederation of 21 organizations. OXFAM works in the MENA region to deal with the impact of climate change, inequality and poverty and promote gender equality. OXFAM promotes social entrepreneurship with innovative, sustainable solutions through humanitarian relief, development programmes and influential advocacy.
Address: Via Concino Concini 19, 52100 Arezzo (AR), Italy
Based in Amman, Jordan, the Methods for Irrigation and Agriculture (MIRRA) association is a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting water-efficient and climate-resilient agriculture. MIRRA develops and implements innovative solutions for sustainable irrigation, improved water governance, and enhanced agricultural productivity, particularly in dryland environments. Through applied research, technology demonstration, and stakeholder training, MIRRA translates science and engineering into practical tools that support farmers and rural communities.
Recognised for its strong contribution to capacity building and environmental sustainability, MIRRA collaborates closely with local authorities, research institutions, and international development partners. Its projects address critical challenges such as water scarcity, soil degradation, and food security, helping to accelerate the adoption of resource-efficient practices across the region.
Address: 7 Abdelaziz Al-Tha’alibi Street, Shmeisani, P.O. Box 941454, Amman 11194, Jordan.
Based in Beirut and Byblos, Lebanon, the Lebanese American University (LAU) is a private, non-profit American-chartered institution offering a wide spectrum of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees.
The university emphasises student-centred learning, international outlook, and strong industry and civic engagement, placing it among the highest-ranked institutions in the Arab region. LAU houses expertise in water resource management, climate change ecology and adaptation, social-ecological analysis, economics and political economy and stakeholder engagement.
Link: https://www.lau.edu.lb
Address: Beirut Campus: Chouran, Beirut 1102 2801, Lebanon; Byblos Campus: Blat–Jbeil, Lebanon.
Based in Tal Amara, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, the Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute (LARI) is a governmental research organisation under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Agriculture, founded in 1957.
The institute focuses on applied agricultural research aimed at improving productivity, sustainability and resilience in Lebanon’s agro-ecosystems — especially for marginal lands, agroforestry systems, olive and grazing landscapes.
LARI collaborates with universities, local farming communities and international development programmes to facilitate technology transfer, field trials and capacity-building for farmers and stakeholders.
Link: http://www.lari.gov.lb
Address: Tal Amara, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon
Based in Tunis, Tunisia, INRGREF is a public multidisciplinary research institute established in 1996 and operating under the aegis of the Tunisian Institution of Agricultural Research and Higher Education (IRESA). It addresses key national priorities in rural engineering, water management, and forestry by conducting research in four specialised laboratories (rural engineering; non-conventional water use in agriculture; forest resources management; forest ecology) and operating seven experimental stations across different ecological zones.
INRGREF offers advanced training, hosts workshops and conferences, and maintains collaborations with over 50 international organisations in Europe, Asia, the MENA region and the USA.
Link: www.inrgref.agrinet.tn
Address: Rue Hédi EL Karray El Menzah IV, 1004 Tunis BP 10, Ariana 2080, Tunisia
Based in Tunis, Tunisia, the National Institute of Agronomic Research of Tunisia (INRAT) is a public research institution dedicated to strengthening agricultural productivity and sustainability, particularly in Mediterranean and arid environments. INRAT advances crop and livestock improvement, natural resource management, and food systems innovation, providing scientific expertise to support national food security and informed policymaking.
INRAT collaborates closely with universities, extension services, farmer organisations, and international research networks. With experimental stations and specialised laboratories, the institute delivers applied research, demonstration activities, and capacity-building initiatives that help translate innovation into practical solutions for the agri-food sector.
Link: http://www.inrat.agrinet.tn/index.php/fr/
Address: Rue Hédi Karray, CP 2049 Ariana, Tunisia.
Based in Beirut, Lebanon, the American University of Beirut (AUB) is a leading academic and research institution recognized for its contribution to sustainable development and community resilience in the Middle East. Through multidisciplinary expertise in agriculture, food systems, environmental sustainability, and rural innovation, AUB focuses on innovative education methods, advanced research, and effective community engagement. The university maintains strong collaboration with farmers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to ensure that new technologies and practices are effectively transferred from research to implementation.
Link: https://www.aub.edu.lb
Address: Bliss Street, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon
The Institute for Sustainable Agriculture (IAS-CSIC), based in Córdoba, Spain, is part of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and is the country’s largest public research institution, comprising over 130 research institutes nationwide.
IAS-CSIC works to make food production compatible with environmental protection and natural resource conservation, contributing to the long-term sustainability of Mediterranean agriculture. The institute has extensive experience in legume and cereal research, with active germplasm collections and breeding programs that support crop improvement and biodiversity preservation.
Its facilities include a modern experimental farm, growth chambers, greenhouses, and fully equipped laboratories, enabling cutting-edge research from field to molecular level.
Link: https://www.ias.csic.es/departments/plant-breeding/plant-breeding-for-stress-resistance/?lang=en
Address: Instituto de Agricultura Sostenible, Avenida da Menendez Pidal, 14004 Cordoba, Spain
Global Water Partnership – Mediterranean (GWP-Med) was established in 2002 as the Mediterranean Regional Water Partnership of the Global Water Partnership (GWP) Network. GWP-Med extends its human resources in 7 Mediterranean countries with the Secretariat being based in Athens.
Aiming for a water-secure Mediterranean, GWP-Med works at the regional, transboundary, national, basin and local level. GWP-Med promotes action and facilitates dialogue on Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM); provides technical support to policy making; implements demonstration activities; and contributes to skills and knowledge development. Gender and youth issues, as well as private sector participation in water financing, are also key, cross-cutting issues for GWP-Med.
GWP-Med facilitates a multi-stakeholder platform that brings together almost 100 water institutions and organisations, including 10 major regional networks of different water disciplines.
Link: https://www.gwp.org/en/GWP-Mediterranean/
Address: 12 Kyrristou Street, 10556 Athens, Greece
ICARDA is an international research-for-development organization dedicated to advancing agriculture in dry and semi-arid regions worldwide.
With a mission to support resilient livelihoods under climate stress, ICARDA operates across Asia, Africa and the Middle East, providing science-based solutions in crop improvement, integrated farming systems, and resource-efficient agronomy.
The organization is recognized for its significant contributions to food and nutritional security, evidence-based policy, and its commitment to inclusive innovation for smallholder farmers. Gender equality, youth engagement, and integrated value-chain participation are also embedded as cross-cutting priorities in ICARDA’s work.
ICARDA convenes extensive multi-stakeholder partnerships which link national research systems, universities, NGOs, private sector actors and donor agencies. Through these networks, the organization delivers improved crop varieties, knowledge products and practice-oriented models for resilient dry-land agriculture.
Link: https://www.icarda.org
Address: Bashir El Kassar Street, Verdun 1108-2010, Beirut, Lebanon
Based in Porto, Portugal, Universidade Católica Portuguesa (UCP) hosts the Centre for Biotechnology and Fine Chemistry (CBQF), a leading research unit dedicated to advancing knowledge in agri-food, environmental sustainability, health, and well-being. Recognized for its strong social impact and contributions to evidence-based policy, CBQF fosters innovation that connects science with real-world challenges. Committed to open science, UCP encourages researchers to make their work publicly available through its open-access repository Veritati, integrated in the national platform RCAAP. Over the past five years, CBQF has participated in more than 130 national and international R&D projects, funded through H2020, PRIMA, COST, LIFE-ENV, CYTED, IBEROEKA, and FCT, consolidating its position as a key player in European research and innovation.
Link: https://cbqf.esb.ucp.pt/en
Address: Rua Diogo Botelho 1327, 4169-005, Porto, Portugal
