Project: Smart irrigation cube for sustainable agriculture in the Mediterranean region

Acronym	SmaCuMed (Reference Number: 2019-SECTION2-24)
Project Topic	SmaCuMed will follow an integrated approach by providing a sustainable, innovative, cost effective and robust solution for groundwater desalination in the field of smart irrigation, which represents an important economic branch for the future of the Mediterranean region. SmaCuMed aims at developing a modular system for desalination of brackish groundwater that targets the specific conditions of the region. The all-in-one smart irrigation cube system will include a water management system for precision irrigation and crop intensification and will be powered by renewable energy using high efficient solar PV panels & thermoelectric generators (TEG) for autonomous operation in remote areas. The feasibility of the concept will be tested at two different locations in Morocco on the example of argan trees, date palms and olives. The project will focus on raising awareness among population, local and regional authorities on the urgency of tackling the environmental impacts of climate change on future crop productivity. For this, an environmental, economic and social sustainability assessment of the integrated system will be carried out (LCA, LCC, MCA) considering the context of the local environment in both Morocco and Tunisia as an example for the Mediterranean region. The main goal hereby is to enhance the regulatory framework of water supply & management and create economic support instruments for key stakeholders and decision makers in North African countries. SmaCuMed embraces and addresses the challenges on topics 2.1.2 & 2.1.1 focusing on water scarcity and climate change conditions, bridging the gap between water balances and optimum irrigation, including dialogs with local stakeholders and aiming at long-term governance strategies to prevent and control soil/water salinization. SmaCuMed will have a special focus on fostering gender equality and the integration of women in the water sector (e.g. strongly represented by women engaged in argan cooperatives).
Network	PRIMA
Call	Section 2 Call 2019 - Multi-topic

Project partner

Number	Name	Role	Country
1	Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences	Coordinator	Germany
2	Raach Solar GmbH	Partner	Germany
3	Cadi Ayyad University	Partner	Morocco
4	Moulay Ismail University	Partner	Morocco
5	Aquagri	Partner	Portugal
6	Centre de Recherches et Technologies des Eaux	Partner	Tunisia