The Mediterranean region, known for its rich agricultural heritage, faces challenges in food security, environmental sustainability, and public health.
The MEDIET Project has established a research platform, concluding that legumes are vital for healthy nutrition, and sustainable agriculture in the Mediterranean diet. Legumes offer a promising solution to these challenges due to their high protein content, nutraceutical benefits, and positive environmental and economic impacts.
Despite their benefits, the consumption and production of legumes face obstacles such as limited awareness, inadequate infrastructure, and market access issues. However, ongoing research and collaboration through a global Meta Network present opportunities to overcome these barriers and promote legumes as a sustainable and nutritious food source. A Meta network approach allows stakeholders to gain a deeper and more integrated understanding of the interconnected factors affecting legume systems, leading to more effective strategies for sustainable development in the region.
The MEDIET project, conducted by CIHEAM Bari since 2022, has showcased the nutritional and health benefits of fava beans, dry beans, lentils, and chickpeas. By analyzing over 150 varieties in 17 Mediterranean countries, the project has paved the way for promoting local and genetically selected pulses, emphasizing their health benefits, potential for food processing, and market viability.
The newly launched Beans Meta Network, hosted by the CIHEAM Secretariat General, is a strategic initiative to leverage these research findings and advance sustainable food systems in the Mediterranean region. By inviting international organizations, regional agricultural ministries, legume-focused programs, and private enterprises to join, the network aims to foster collaboration and innovation among diverse stakeholders.
This webinar will examine the economic contributions of legumes to Mediterranean communities and their significance in maintaining food and cultural heritage. With a strong emphasis on environmental sustainability, the session will explore the potential of legumes in mitigating climate change and their crucial role in promoting sustainable food systems. This will be supported by the presentation of best practices and illustrative examples from the region.
Furthermore, this webinar will serve to introduce the CIHEAM Beans Meta Networks on legumes. This initiative is dedicated to the consolidation and organization of existing knowledge, and to the advancement of research and development projects that address the challenges posed by climate change and food security in the Mediterranean region.
Panel discussions
Moderator: Mouin Hamze, CIHEAM Bari
Panelists :
- Teodoro Miano, Secretary General of CIHEAM
- Teodardo Calles, FAO – Plant Production and Protection
- Antonella Autino, PRIMA Foundation
- Prof. Konstadinos Mattas, CIHEAM Chania
- Nahla Hwala, AUB Lebanon
- Elen Lemaître Curri, CIHEAM Montpellier
- Gianluigi Cardone, CIHEAM Bari
- Fares Howari, Ajman University, UAE
- Hammou Laamrani, Economic Affairs Officer, ESCWA
- Joaquim Balduque, CIHEAM Zaragoza
Beans Meta Network. Video clip
Q&A and Interactive Discussion
Summary, Beans Network launch and Closing remarks.
