After 36 months of intensive research and Euro-Mediterranean collaboration, the SEAFENNEL4MED project has been successfully completed. The project focused on developing organic and sustainable cultivation systems for sea fennel (Crithmum maritimum L.), a wild and resilient plant which become the centrepiece for innovative strategies to address ecological and climate challenges in the Mediterranean. Funded with €964,600, under PRIMA 2021 call, SEAFENNEL4MED developed advanced cultivation models to enhance agrobiodiversity, agricultural profitability, circularity, and climate adaptation for sea fennel growers across the Mediterranean region.
The project was coordinated by Polytechnic University of Marche (UNIVPM), in collaboration with a consortium of scientific and operational excellence:
• Food and Nutrition Research Centre (CREA; Italy),
• University of Split (UNIST) and the Institute for Adriatic Cultures (IACKR) (Croatia),
• University of Brest (UNIBO, France),
• National Institute of Rural Engineering, Water and Forests (INRGREF, Tunisia),
• Ege University, Izmir (UNIEGE, Turkey),
• Rinci Srl - an Italian producer pioneering in sea fennel cultivation.
Key project results
• More resilient ecotypes: selection of sea fennel ecotypes with high tolerance to drought and salinity, ideally adapted to Mediterranean environment.
• Innovative ecological cultivation: development of sustainable cultivation systems increasing productivity and reducing environmental impact.
• Value-added products: creation of innovative ecological food products based on sea fennel, in line with growing consumer demand for healthy and natural food.
• Circular agricultural economy: valorisation of cultivation by-products for nutraceutical purposes and as fertilizers.
• Measured impact: assessment of economic, social, and ecological benefits with direct implications for sustainability of supply chain.
• Communication and networking: broad dissemination of results at local and international levels, involving farmers, researchers, entrepreneurs and policymakers.
The project made a significant contribution to EU’s strategy in achieving zero pollution, offering new opportunities to increase income and ensure stability of producers’ livelihoods in areas affected by climate change.
