Mediterranean agricultural leaders address water scarcity and gender equality

Regional leaders and agricultural organizations are addressing critical challenges facing the Mediterranean agricultural sector, focusing on water security, innovation, and gender equality.

In Italy, representatives from Basilicata, Calabria, and Puglia met at the University of Calabria to discuss the impact of climate change on water availability. The discussions, part of the Agriworld Expo 2026 framework, emphasized the need for strategic alliances between universities, technical bodies, and businesses to develop technological and scientific solutions for sustainable water management in agriculture.

In Brussels, the Tuscany Region promoted the ‘Women Farmers 2026 – Cultivating the Future’ initiative during the European Week of the Regions and Cities. The event focused on increasing opportunities for female entrepreneurs in agriculture and providing services to combat rural depopulation. A key outcome was the ‘Florence-Brussels Declaration,’ a ten-point document designed to strengthen gender policies and support women in the sector ahead of the 2028-2034 European programming period.