CIHEAM Press Review

The sound of thousands of hives lining rooftops, gardens, and fields echoes in the small village of Shabshir al-Hissa in Egypt’s Nile Delta, where bees outnumber people. For years, the village has been a place where honey is a tradition, where livelihoods, remedies, and pride all stem from the hive. Nestled in Gharbia Governorate, Shabshir...

We would like to inform you that, as of January 2025, the management and ownership of the scientific journal NEW MEDIT, dedicated to economic, agricultural, and environmental issues in the Mediterranean, have been transferred to the General Secretariat of the Center for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM) in Paris. 

Mohammed Sadiki, former Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests of Morocco, has been elevated to the rank of Commander of the "Ordre du Mérite Agricole" by the French Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, and Forestry, Mrs Annie Genevard. This honor recognises an exceptional career dedicated to research, agricultural policy management, and international cooperation for more sustainable and inclusive agri-food systems. Also present at the ceremony were Mr Marc Fesneau, former French Minister of Agriculture, as well as representatives from the agri-food sectors and public and private organisations committed to sustainable agriculture and food systems.

Increasing urbanisation, irreversible encroachment on rural environment must motivate local communities to support initiatives like the Project Heal.

Traditional farming systems like Mandra and Agdal integrate local knowledge, promoting sustainability and biodiversity. They offer adaptive solutions to modern challenges like climate change while fostering community resilience and resource management.

At the invitation of His Excellency Mr Mohammed SADIKI, Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests of the Kingdom of Morocco, and Mrs Frida KRIFCA, President of the Governing Board of the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM), Ministers of Agriculture and Delegations from the 13 CIHEAM member countries, as well as representatives from intergovernmental and international organizations, will meet on 25 October 2024 in Rabat for the 12th CIHEAM Ministerial Meeting.

In the secluded villages on the outskirts of Cairo, a silent battle against malnutrition unfolds, casting shadows over the dreams of countless pregnant and breastfeeding women. The dream of a healthy pregnancy and adequate nourishment for children often seems elusive — overshadowed by the harsh realities of poverty as well as lack of awareness and knowledge.

Silkworm production and breeding have started for the first time at Sapadere Silk House in Türkiye's southern Mediterranean region of Antalya.
In the restored old village school, silkworms are fed mulberry leaves in special rooms and will transform into cocoons after four stages of growth. The silk threads from these cocoons will be used to create various products. This initiative aims to boost the region's cultural heritage, boost the local economy, and enhance tourism.

This is the Maltese Black Hen, a breed that started being developed at Għammieri about 90 years ago, in 1934, by the Department of Agriculture under the direction of Mr j. Cesareo.
During this period agriculture was developing new systems and breeds aimed at better food production, fuelled by an ever-growing demand. It was a time when a number of new commercial breeds were being imported into the Maltese Islands in order to increase production and reduce famine.

To end hunger in West and Central Africa, foreign aid won't be enough. The region needs solutions led by local food producers.

JAABAR AL-SAGHIR, Syria: After years of war, drought and economic crisis, Omar Abdel-Fattah was forced to rent out his farmland in northeast Syria, preferring a more stable job to provide for his family. “It breaks my heart to see someone else working my land,” said Abdel-Fattah, 50, who grew wheat, cotton and vegetables in Jaabar Al-Saghir, in Syria’s Raqqa province, for three decades. He said he had to abandon agriculture to make ends meet and provide an education for his eight children because he can “no longer keep up with the costs of farming,” including irrigation.

While machines take over the textile world, a group of women in Egypt still use handlooms to create art inspired by their surroundings, memories, and emotions

For seventy-seven years, the Tsolakis family has been continuing a tradition around roses in Agros. From rose water to organic tea, as well as cosmetics and confectionery, their artisanal know-how and passion for roses have transformed their family business into a success story. Today, the third generation is in place, exporting products beyond Cypriot borders… [...]

In Albania, the role of women in agriculture has a significant impact. Nearly 40% of women employed in the country work in this sector, which over the last three decades has developed amidst numerous problems, such as informality or land ownership issues. However, many women and girls are closely linked to agriculture …

The CIHEAM Chania Student Council plays a key role in campus academic and social life, fostering active student participation, dialogue with the administration, and the organisation of engaging events. This initiative, built upon a democratic and representative structure, helps strengthen student cohesion, leadership, and participatory governance within the institute.

Edirne Governor Yunus Sezer stated that they started to work to make Edirne a breeding heifer production...

Chestnut season has begun in the natural chestnut forests above Serhat village, within the Bayramiç district of Çanakkale, northwestern Türkiye

RIYADH: Global and Saudi organizations on Tuesday highlighted the significant work of women in combating drought and boosting local economies to mark the International Day of Rural Women. It follows a report released by the UN Convention to Combat Desertification and the Food and Agriculture Organization that highlights the impact of droughts on women, while emphasizing their resilience and leadership in addressing climate challenges. The insights from the report will serve as a foundation for discussions at COP16, which will be hosted by Saudi Arabia in December.

'Independent family farms are the bedrock of healthy rural economies,' says Jordan Treakle of the National Family Farm Coalition.

Some of Türkiye’s most highly anticipated and popular harvest festivals are coming up this month and next. It may seem strange that people from all over the nation descend upon popular holiday towns to celebrate the harvest of a fruit, a fruit blossom or, in this weekend’s case, the surfacing of a vast array of wild and bitter greens. But it’s true. In the months leading up to and entering into spring, there are several festivals devoted to various harvests that are well worth visiting.

On the occasion of the 17th edition of the International Cooperation Days, held at CIHEAM Bari from 15 to 19 January, the Secretary General of the CIHEAM, Mr Teodoro Miano, met the Director General of AICS, Mr Marco Riccardo Rusconi, in the presence of the Director of the CIHEAM Bari, Mr Maurizio Raeli.