Scala-Medi was at PAG 33 in San Diego, January 9-14, 2026. A poster presented the project results on landscape phenomics of chickens in Northern Africa.

Michèle Tixier-Boichard (INRAE) and Badr Benjelloun (INRA Morocco) represented the consortium.

This approach was found inspiring for visitors interested in animal genetic resources. Some highlights of PAG: AI and functional genomics are progressing fast!

L'articolo SCALA-MEDI at PAG33 in San Diego proviene da Scala-Medi.

A model for sustainable farming in the Mediterranean.

December 2024 – The event presented the PRIMA SCALA-MEDI project as a model for sustainable farming in the Mediterranean. Engaging Italy, France, Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco, the project optimizes conservation and breeding of local genetic resources with focus on climate adaptation and consumer needs. Experts showcased innovative methods in characterizing sheep and chicken breeds through advanced sensor, genetic, and epigenetic techniques. SCALA-MEDI aims to enhance resilience, foster collaboration, and inspire sustainable breeding across Mediterranean nations.

Some articles in Italian:

L'articolo PRIMA SCALA-MEDI project outputs presented to FAO proviene da Scala-Medi.

On June 7 and 8, there was a training session led by the Nature 4 team, a project partner. The training focused on sensors: the first day was theoretical, with a practical test on sheep, whereas the second day was a practical test on chickens. The work was carried out at the ESA Mateur experimental station.

Another training session was held in the afternoon of June 7 for the benefit of participants and students from ESA Mateur, focusing on the principles of animal selection. The course was led by Michèle TEXIER-BOICHARD.

Below some pictures from the event and the training sessions.

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L'articolo Scala-Medi Annual Meeting 2023 proviene da Scala-Medi.

A selection committee evaluated papers on the basis of technical merit, originality, potential impact on the field, clarity of the written paper, and quality of the conference presentation.

The paper entitled “Machine Learning NIR wavelength selection: application for a low-cost portable instrument for livestock feed management” was presented by Marco Milanesi, Daniele Pietrucci, Francesco Renzi, Giovanni Vignali, Chiara Evangelista, Riccardo Valentini and Giovanni Chillemi from the University of Tuscia (UNITUS).

Check out the presentation

Read the paper

L'articolo Scala-Medi at MEAVEAS 2023 proviene da Scala-Medi.

Leveraging the existing local poultry farming at ITELV, which has been in operation for many years, 105 samples were collected from ITELV’s chickens, along with additional sampling at Algiers and Tlemcen stations.

Furthermore, a coordination meeting was convened at ITELV Tlemcen, where Dr. Michèle Boichard engaged with all Algerian partners, she introduced the project and the selection program, followed by a discussion on the project’s financial aspects at Tlemcen University. The visit was to see the preparations for the construction of a building intended for the breeding system of WP7 and to provide an overview of the breeding system of the project in Algeria.

L'articolo SCALA-MEDI co-coordinator’s visit to Algeria proviene da Scala-Medi.

Jan 2023 – The event Climate Change in Italy – Supercomputing as a tool to deal with impacts on the territory, that will take place at Sala Borsa Auditorium E. Biagi – Bologna, Piazza del Nettuno 3 on Thursday, January 26, 2023 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, will address hot issues that can be of interest to not only the scientific community but also citizens, public administrations and bodies, associations, entrepreneurs, researchers and students who wish to know more about how digital technologies can help tackle climate change. The event falls within the closing day of Highlander, a European three-year project coordinated by CINECA with ART-ER as a partner along with other Italian bodies and universities. The Highlander project focuses on supercomputing as a monitoring tool, including the intelligent use of resources and the reduction of the impacts of weather events, but also as support to land-use planning and protection policies. The project shares activities with SCALA-MEDI.  

The event will be in Italian. Free participation upon registration.

L'articolo HIGHLANDER project final event proviene da Scala-Medi.

The project Scala-Medi was showcased at Salon Dawajine thanks to the Moroccan partners FISA (Fédération Interprofessionnelle du Secteur Avicole au Maroc) and INRA-Maroc (Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique), along with the French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE) with Michèle Tixier-Boichard who gave a presentation entitled: “Programmes de sélection pour une production durable 2021-2025 à partir des ressources génétiques locales”.

L'articolo Scala-Medi at Salon Dawajine, Morocco proviene da Scala-Medi.

Dr. Marco Milanesi (University of Tuscia) gave a presentation entitled “Satellites and sensors: towards smart pasture management” (in collaboration with Prof. Giovanni Chillemi and Dr. Gaia Vaglio Laurin), which mentioned the service that is currently being developed in SCALA-MEDI (animal sensors) and related projects.

Youtube Video

https://youtu.be/DQB4orZFY8k

L'articolo Satellites and sensors for smart pasture management proviene da Scala-Medi.

L'articolo SCALA-MEDI website online proviene da Scala-Medi.

SCALA-MEDI will contribute to the impacts expected in the PRIMA call 2020, under the Topic 1.2.1 Sub-topic A. The expertise and data from previous EU projects will be extended to the genetic and epigenetic characterisation of local resources and their adaptation to different production environments in three North African countries, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco. Tools and strategies will be developed to improve local breeds for sustainable production. Application of these tools will be demonstrated to farmers in diverse Mediterranean production systems. 

The application of the SCALA-MEDI strategies for breeding will increase the overall profitability of farming systems by developing adapted populations that can use local resources more efficiently and require lower inputs to survive harsh environments. Knowledge of breed adaptation will increase the value of some of the local breeds/populations. Climate change is a major risk for food security in Northern Africa. The improved resilience of sheep and chicken farming stemming from the SCALA-MEDI project will increase food security by ensuring sustainable production of local eggs, meat, and milk. Establishing reliability in supply will ensure fair market prices for both producers and consumers, increasing accessibility to the high-quality protein that is fundamental for a balanced diet and enhanced human health.

L'articolo SCALA-MEDI Kick-off meeting proviene da Scala-Medi.