The OurMED Kickoff Meeting, held from the 12th to the 14th of June 2023 in Tunisia, was a significant event that brought together key stakeholders in the field of water innovation.
The first day of the meeting commenced with ice-breaking activities and social gatherings, fostering a sense of camaraderie and networking among participants. On the second day, the meeting kicked off with an opening ceremony attended by esteemed guests, including project partners, PRIMA officer, Essam Heggy from USC and NASA (USA), the General Director of ESIM, and the President of the University of Jendouba. The agenda included a visit to the ESIM Farm, where discussions centered around the impact of water deficit on tomato yield under different irrigation techniques. Additionally, a visit to the Slouguia monitoring station and the Medjerda river basin, part of the Tunisian demo site, took place. During these visits, the feasibility of updating the gauging station under the OurMED project with a high-resolution water quality monitoring station was discussed among project partners. The group also had the opportunity to visit the Sidi Salem Dam, which highlighted its role in preserving the biodiversity of the region. The third day of the OurMED Kickoff Meeting focused on the technical aspects of the project. Partners engaged in fruitful discussions about project activities and future plans, aiming to align their efforts and maximize the impact of the initiative. In the afternoon, the group embarked on a visit to the Ghar El Meleh Gattaya system of irrigation, further exploring innovative techniques and solutions in the field of water management. Overall, the OurMED Kickoff Meeting in Tunisia served as a platform for knowledge sharing, collaboration, and exploration of key issues in sustainable water management.
