The University of Murcia joins a European project that brings together eight Mediterranean countries to promote more sustainable livestock farming
The University of Murcia joins a European project that brings together eight Mediterranean countries to promote more sustainable livestock farming
How can livestock farming become more sustainable, resilient, and integrated into the environment in one of the regions most exposed to the effects of climate change? This is the challenge addressed by ASPmed – Agroforestry practices for Agroecological transition towards sustainable Sheep and Poultry farming in the Mediterranean region (project ID: ANR-25-PRIM-0013), an international research and innovation project involving eight Mediterranean countries and a network of universities, research centers, and organizations committed to the agroecological transition of livestock systems.
Funded by the European PRIMA program (Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area), with a total budget of approximately €3 million, ASPmed aims to develop and disseminate new agroecological models for sheep and poultry farming by integrating livestock activities and agroforestry practices. The project promotes innovative solutions designed to improve environmental sustainability, climate resilience, and farm profitability, while also enhancing the value of natural resources and territorial biodiversity.
Coordinated by the University of Turin, ASPmed brings together scientific and institutional partners from Italy, Portugal, Spain, France, Croatia, Turkey, Egypt, and Algeria, creating a collaborative network throughout the Mediterranean basin and fostering the exchange of knowledge, experience, and best practices.
The University of Murcia actively contributes to the project by providing its specific expertise in poultry nutrition. Through its participation in research activities, field trials, training, and innovation transfer, the University of Murcia plays a strategic role in achieving the project's objectives and promoting more sustainable and resilient livestock systems in the Mediterranean context.
The project pays particular attention to the role of small livestock farms in rural Mediterranean areas, considered key agents for the adoption and dissemination of more sustainable production practices. ASPmed addresses the main challenges faced by small sheep and poultry farms in a context marked by climate change, pressure on natural resources, and the evolution of agri-food markets.
ASPmed also promotes social inclusion and outreach initiatives aimed at diverse audiences. These include “ASPmed for Kids,” dedicated to primary schools through educational activities on agroecology, biodiversity, animal welfare, and food sustainability, and “ASPmed & Diversity,” an initiative exploring the potential of animal-assisted activities with animals raised in agroecological systems as a tool to support the inclusion and well-being of people with disabilities.
The project's activities provide an interdisciplinary platform for dialogue on agroecology, approached from scientific, technical, social, and legal perspectives, and foster interaction among researchers, livestock farms, institutions, and civil society. Through a participatory and multi-stakeholder approach, ASPmed seeks to build concrete pathways for the ecological transition of Mediterranean agri-food systems.
Through ASPmed, the consortium partners reinforce their commitment to research and innovation for the sustainability of Mediterranean agri-food systems, contributing to the development of shared solutions to address the environmental, economic, and social challenges affecting the livestock sector.