Morocco and the United States are strengthening their cooperation in agricultural research and innovation. The Director of the National Institute of Agricultural Research (INRA), Lamiae Ghaouti, recently met with a delegation from the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) in Rabat. This meeting is part of a series of exchanges between the two institutions since 2024, aiming to identify scientific and technical complementarities and explore new partnership opportunities.
The NASDA delegation, led by Ashley Randle, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, visited the INRA headquarters to discuss potential collaborations. Randle stated that the visit aimed to understand the INRA's research priorities and identify opportunities for collaboration with NASDA, which represents the agricultural departments of the 50 US states and four territories. The discussions focused on areas such as conservation agriculture, genetic improvement of crops and livestock, and developing solutions adapted to Morocco's agro-climatic conditions.
Ghaouti also emphasized the need to develop techniques that encourage farmers to adopt conservation agriculture and explore the possibilities offered by genome editing to accelerate the development of new varieties adapted to Moroccan agriculture. The INRA Director also discussed genetic improvement of cattle, aiming to identify collaboration opportunities for developing breeds adapted to Moroccan conditions, leveraging local breeds and their resilience potential.
Morocco-US agricultural cooperation is supported by initiatives from the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). These initiatives focus on crop genetic improvement, biotechnology, sustainable water and soil management, and climate change adaptation. The cooperation also includes scientific exchange programs, such as Fulbright and Borlaug, which have benefited 25 INRA researchers, with six conducting research stays in six US universities over the past two years.
The strengthened collaboration with NASDA is expected to facilitate exchanges of expertise and connections with US state agricultural departments, universities, and research centers. This will enable the development of joint projects addressing the agricultural priorities of both countries and promoting a more productive, resilient, and sustainable Moroccan agriculture. The cooperation aims to support the economies of both countries and enhance agricultural productivity.
The meeting between INRA and NASDA reflects the ongoing efforts to enhance Morocco-US cooperation in agricultural research and innovation. By exploring new avenues for collaboration, both parties aim to address common challenges and priorities in the agricultural sector, ultimately contributing to sustainable agricultural development and economic growth in both countries.
Key points
- Morocco and US explore new agricultural cooperation opportunities through INRA and NASDA.
- The cooperation focuses on areas such as conservation agriculture, genetic improvement of crops and livestock, and climate change adaptation.
- The strengthened collaboration aims to promote a more productive, resilient, and sustainable Moroccan agriculture.
