Join on WhatsApp
Join on Telegram
Rabat – Morocco’s commitment to advancing food security across Africa took center stage at the ongoing African Summit on Fertilizers and Soil Health in Nairobi.
Speaking at the event today, Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita emphasized Morocco’s strategic initiatives and partnerships aimed at boosting agricultural productivity and sustainability on the continent, MAP news agency reported.
He stressed that Morocco’s vision for Africa resonates with its national strategy, which focuses on ambitious enhancement to agricultural productivity.
He emphasized three key instruments driving this vision: the OCP Group; leading the continent in fertilizer markets, the Ministry of Agriculture; crafting public policies and sectoral strategies, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; overseeing the execution of South-South cooperation.
Bourita highlighted Morocco’s initiatives to advance this vision of agricultural development and rural sustainability, including the Green Morocco Plan launched in 2008 and the more recent Generation Green Plan. Both plans focus on modernizing agriculture and fostering sustainable development in rural areas.
Bourita said that Morocco’s approach goes beyond just ensuring food availability; it aims at comprehensive rural development and encourages investment in agriculture, with a specific focus on creating job opportunities for young people in rural areas.
The Moroccan foreign minister added that the North African country has collaborated with other African countries by sharing its expertise and knowledge.
He highlighted initiatives such as the Triple A Initiative, which focuses on adapting African agriculture to climate change, and the Triple S Initiative, which aims to promote sustainability, stability, and security in Africa.
In addition, Moroccan phosphate giant OCP Group has taken proactive steps to address challenges related to fertilizer prices and food security by increasing its involvement in Africa, Bourita noted.
This includes establishing 12 representations and initiating eight industrial projects across the continent. In addition, the group has launched projects aimed at improving soil fertility and providing training in agronomy, which contribute to the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices.
Bourita held discussions with several heads of delegations on the sidelines of the summit. These discussions focused on bilateral relations and ways to enhance cooperation with African countries.
During his address, the foreign minister also proposed the establishment of an African Consortium for Agricultural Innovation to improve fertilizer use and soil health continent-wide.
In addition, he suggested the implementation of a Pan-African Training and Certification Program in Soil Management and the launch of a Financing Initiative for Green Agricultural Infrastructure to bolster sustainable agricultural development.
He also called for the establishment of an African Observatory for soil data and analysis to facilitate informed decision-making in agriculture.
“Together, we can address the challenge of food security in Africa, which has all the assets to make agriculture a driver of development and transformation,” Bourita concluded at the summit.
