On 3 February 2021, FENAREG and CONSULAI held a Train the Practitioners Workshop, followed by the 3rd Regional Working Group of the SUWANU EUROPE project. These events aim to increase practical knowledge about the use of water for reuse in agriculture.
The sessions were attended by over 50 participants, including regional and national policy makers, engineering companies, watering farmers and consumers.
The morning started with the Workshop which, in addition to presenting the Alentejo regional action plan, allowed to collect contributions from participants through the group dynamics "From theory to practice". In particular, the participants contributed to identifying the advantages and barriers associated with the use of water for reuse in agriculture in Portugal. Adaptation to climate change and the circular economy were highlighted as the main benefits and, on the other hand, costs, necessary investment and public acceptance as evident difficulties.
You can (re)see the event at: https://youtu.be/faxD5ygG4Xw
Subsequently, the 3rd Regional Working Group (RWG) focused on the evolution of the project and new initiatives in the use of water for reuse in agriculture in Portugal. Citrus irrigation and rice irrigation, developed by the University of the Algarve and the College of Agriculture of Coimbra, respectively, were the case studies presented in this session. The dynamic "The vision of end users" allowed to collect contributions from participants regarding facilitation and dissemination strategies for consumer groups, farmers and policy makers. The main points identified to boost water reuse were: financial incentives, accessible information on safe water use for reuse in food production and integrated water management measures.
You can (re)view the video of the event at: https://youtu.be/8GDSGDdoi7o
In March the 4ºRWG will be organized, stay tuned to know more!
Power point presentations:
- Regional Action Plan, Diana Cordeiro and Carina Arranja (FENAREG).
- SUWANU EUROPE project presentation, Marta Mendes, Carolina Ramos y Rui Almeida (CONSULAI).
- Water for reuse, Manuela Moreira da Silva (University of the Algarve).
- Evolution of SUWANU EUROPE project, Diana Cordeiro and Carina Arranja (FENAREG).
- MEDWATERICE project, Isabel Duarte (Escola Superior Agrária).