Farmers and local stakeholders in Meshghara explored innovative irrigation and water management solutions during the WISEMED Information Day held on 15 September 2026.
Meshghara, Lebanon – 15 September 2026 – The WISEMED Information Day for Farmers was held at Meshghara Municipality, bringing together local authorities, farmers, agricultural stakeholders and representatives of the WISEMED project to discuss practical approaches to more efficient and sustainable water management in agriculture.
Organised by the Lebanese University within the framework of WISEMED project, the event introduced local farmers to the project, its pilot activities in Meshghara and the innovative solutions proposed to improve irrigation efficiency and address local water-management challenges.
The session opened with a welcome address by the Mayor of Meshghara, who highlighted the importance of cooperation between the municipality, farmers, the Lebanese University and WISEMED partners in Lebanon and across the Mediterranean. The discussion emphasised the need to connect scientific and technical innovation with the practical needs of the local agricultural community.
The Lebanese University team presented the WISEMED project and its objectives, focusing on key challenges affecting agriculture in Lebanon, including water scarcity, climate variability, increasing irrigation needs, inefficient irrigation practices, water quality and the rising costs of pumping and energy.
A central message of the event was the importance of using water efficiently by providing crops with the right amount of water at the right time. Researchers and technical experts introduced farmers to a range of approaches and technologies aimed at improving irrigation management and reducing pressure on water resources.
Particular attention was given to the five WISEMED solutions selected for implementation in Meshghara:
The presentations also addressed water quality and the controlled reuse of treated wastewater for agricultural purposes. The Lebanese University team highlighted the importance of appropriate treatment, water-quality analysis, crop and soil requirements, and continuous monitoring when considering treated water for irrigation.
The proposed Meshghara pilot will explore the integration of treated wastewater and freshwater mixing, storage and distribution infrastructure, field monitoring and digital decision-support tools. These solutions are expected to support more efficient irrigation practices while providing farmers with technical assistance and opportunities to improve water and energy management.
An interactive discussion allowed farmers to share their experiences, raise questions and identify the main water-management challenges they face locally. The WISEMED technical expert, together with the Lebanese University researchers and technical staff, participated in the discussion, helping to connect the project’s scientific and technical approaches with the practical realities of farming in Meshghara.
The Municipality of Meshghara also highlighted the local relevance of the initiative, including the planned development of infrastructure for the use of appropriately treated water for agricultural irrigation, together with storage and distribution systems, rainfall monitoring and periodic soil analysis.
The Information Day marked an important step in engaging the local farming community in the WISEMED pilot and strengthening cooperation between farmers, local authorities, researchers and project partners to test practical solutions for more efficient and sustainable water management in Meshghara.
Last Update
21/09/2026
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