UK, Morocco Sign MoU to Boost Agricultural Cooperation

Rabat – The UK and Morocco have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen their agricultural cooperation as well as advance their progress towards achieving climate resilient sustainable agriculture.

Morocco’s Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests, Mohammed Sadiki, and the British Minister of State for Biosecurity, Marine, and Rural Affairs, Lord Richard Benyon, signed the MoU yesterday on the sidelines of the International Agricultural Exhibition (SIAM) in Meknes.

“Exciting moment for UK-Morocco relations as we signed a cooperation MOU at Morocco’s International Agriculture Expo SIAM, in our shared desire to further encourage and strengthen technical cooperation in the agriculture sector,” the British embassy in Rabat said on Twitter.

Exciting moment for the UK-Morocco relations as we signed a cooperation MOU at Morocco’s International Agriculture Expo @SIAM_OFFICIEL, in our shared desire to further encourage and strengthen technical cooperation in the agriculture sector.
#SIAM2023 #UKatSIAM pic.twitter.com/VyZiKBMiXc

— UK in Morocco (@UKinMorocco) May 2, 2023

The MoU will enable collaboration between the UK and Morocco in the fields of scientific research, climate resilience and adaptation to climate change, capacity development, and agricultural innovation.

The UK Trade Commissioner (HMTC) for Africa, John Humphrey, highlighted that the MoU will tackle the main challenges facing the agricultural sector in Morocco and will help encourage technical cooperation and knowledge sharing between the UK and Moroccan agricultural sectors.

Speaking on the occasion, Lord Richard Benyon noted that the signing of this MoU will strengthen ties between the two countries and help them accelerate progress towards their common goal of achieving climate resilient sustainable agriculture.

The event was attended by the UK Trade Commissioner for Africa, the President of the Federation of Moroccan Chambers of Agriculture, the President of the Moroccan Confederation of Agriculture and Rural Development, institutions, professional associations, and British cooperation partners.

British and Moroccan officials during the MoU signing

The meeting provided an opportunity for professionals from both countries to exchange ideas on how to strengthen cooperation, partnership, and trade in the agricultural and agri-food sectors, both technically and commercially.

Agri-EPI Centre, a British company that aims to drive the growth and development of the agri-tech sector, was also present at the International Agricultural Exhibition.

Agri-EPI Centre signed a MoU with Morocco’s Digital Agriculture Pole (PAD), under which the two parties will identify which UK technologies can complement existing farming practices and technologies in Morocco.

The 15th edition of the International Agricultural Exhibition, which kicked off on Tuesday in Meknes, is one of the largest in Africa and the Middle East.

The annual gathering brought together more than 850,000 visitors and delegations from 60 countries, featuring leading companies from agriculture, Agro-Tech, FoodTech, and GreenTech, as well as decision-makers, to share the latest advances and innovations in their respective fields and explore opportunities for cooperation.