Riżorsi Agrikoli Malta (RAM), as the Maltese partner in the PROTECHMED project, organised the first Info-Day in Malta, bringing together government representatives, researchers, educational institutions, farmers and private operators to discuss innovative solutions for the Mediterranean greenhouse sector.
The PROTECHMED project, co-financed by European funds through the Interreg NEXT MED programme, has a total investment of over €2.3 million, of which €226,500 is allocated to Riżorsi Agrikoli Malta. It aims to promote innovative technologies that improve efficiency in the use of water, energy and other resources, while strengthening the sustainability, competitiveness and resilience of greenhouse agricultural production.
Minister for EU Funds, Social Dialogue and Consumer Protection Keith Azzopardi Tanti said that this project demonstrates how European funds are supporting research, innovation and the modernisation of the agricultural sector. “Through European funds, we are investing in initiatives that help the agricultural sector address today's challenges and prepare for those of the future. PROTECHMED is creating new opportunities for collaboration, training and knowledge transfer between Mediterranean countries. This investment aims to deliver tangible benefits for our farmers through more efficient technologies and more sustainable agricultural practices," Minister Keith Azzopardi Tanti reiterated.
During the event, representatives of SVIMED – EuroMediterranean Center for Sustainable Development presented the project's structure and several case studies, while Riżorsi Agrikoli Malta explained how these solutions could be adapted to the Maltese context. A discussion was also held with representatives of the Ministry for Agriculture, MCAST, SVIMED and the private sector.
The Chief Executive Officer of Riżorsi Agrikoli Malta, Dr Marielise Tabone, explained that Malta's participation in this project is creating opportunities for farmers, researchers and sector operators to benefit from knowledge and innovative technologies developed across the Mediterranean.
Through PROTECHMED, Maltese farmers will have the opportunity to identify technologies of interest to the greenhouse sector, participate in training and visit demonstration sites in partner countries to see these technologies in practice. The project could also pave the way for future initiatives supported by European funds to introduce these solutions locally.
PROTECHMED brings together academic institutions, research centres and agricultural organisations from Malta, Greece, Italy, Turkey, Lebanon and Tunisia, under the leadership of the University of Thessaly. This collaboration aims to promote knowledge exchange and the introduction of sustainable technologies that address the shared challenges of Mediterranean agriculture.
The first Info-Day in Malta marks the beginning of a series of activities that will further strengthen collaboration between farmers, researchers and institutions, with the aim of translating innovation into tangible benefits for the agricultural sector.
