Quinoa4Med

Abstract

Q4M brings together scientific partners and societal stakeholders from 5 Mediterranean countries to advance climate-resilient quinoa crops and upscale their cultivation and valorization in an integrated approach. Guided by national priorities, reinforced by a multi-actor network and implementing the ‘living lab concept’, we will demonstrate the power and benefits of agroecological quinoa farming at 12 distinct multi-agroecosystem demo sites with various crop combinations, under varying agronomic regimes, facing diverse climate and soil conditions. Based on ‘lessons learned’ from previous projects, and teaming up with complementary initiatives, we will select and stably integrate best-adapted multi-purpose quinoa lines in multiple farming environments and valorization chains. Together with societal and company partners we strive to invigorate local value chains/ nets and a stable market for quinoa producers. Introduction of novel quinoa breeding lines will diversify current cropping systems, stabilize overall harvests, recover soils, and improve year round crop production for food/ income security of smallholders.

Three main objectives have been defined: 1. Breed/ establish multi-purpose quinoa varieties better adapted to saline, marginal Mediterranean soils, resilient to climate change, reducing post-harvest processing, and enriching crop diversity for sustainable agricultural management. 2. Establish zero waste quinoa valorization chains delivering affordable gluten-free foods for people suffering from gluten adverse effects, and other non-food products (feed, biochar, cosmetics). 3. Provide guidance, support and a networking platform for stakeholders.

Q4M’s work program has at its core the Living Labs (WP7), which receive input and provide feedback to scientific Work Packages (WP1-5). A multi-stakeholder setup and regular feedback loops will allow speedy optimization of crops, methods and agricultural systems at sites. Our project takes the whole system into account by enabling successful, widespread adoption of agroecological quinoa farming and marketing its products. WP1 will develop climate-resilient quinoa crop with key traits for cultivation (tolerance to salinity, drought, heat) and processing (saponin content, nutritional composition). Selected quinoa accessions are tested in agroecological farming settings using environmentally friendly techniques to manage weeds, diseases and pests, minimize tillage and maintain continuous land cover to reduce soil erosion, improve soil fertility and microbiological status. Carbon sequestration in the soil through crop rotations, intercropping, cover crops/green manure, biochar and compost use will be addressed (WP2). To optimize quinoa valorization, key traits such as germination, nutritional characteristics, reduced saponins and other desired traits will be assessed and resulting products developed in local value chains/nets (WP3). The adoption of the quinoa farming system is to benefit smallholder farmers, increase income and empower women and the youth, advancing social innovation (WP4). Q4M’s Living Labs putting our scientific results into practice. Their success, environmental effects, sustainability and cost-benefit relation will be evaluated (WP5). WP6 will disseminate results, enabling roll-outs and spin-offs with tailored communication and intensive networking.

With an ambitious, achievable work program, Q4M contributes to knowledge-based upscaling of agroecological field practices, as well as resilience and prosperity of smallholder systems in marginal Mediterranean settings while protecting biodiversity. Q4M takes up priorities of UN Agenda 2030 (SDGs), EU policies and National Strategies or Action Plans of Maghreb countries, and thus will have positive impact on future agricultural policies. We establish the groundwork and connect partners for subsequent projects, follow-up on adapting small farming systems to climate change and improving health and livelihoods.