Fez – On the first day of 2026, Moroccan scientific research achieved a significant international milestone with the official recognition and indexing of a research paper I authored, in collaboration with Prof. Hamid Tairi and Prof. Zafar Said, in the International System for Agricultural Science and Technology (FAO-AGRIS) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
As researchers at the Faculty of Sciences Dhar El Mehraz, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University (Fez, Morocco), our study reflects a strong academic collaboration aimed at addressing global agricultural challenges.
The research focuses on innovative applications of the Internet of Things (IoT) and Machine Learning (ML) in sustainable agricultural irrigation management, pointing to the transformative role of advanced digital technologies in improving water-use efficiency, enhancing agricultural productivity, and addressing pressing challenges related to climate change, population growth, and global food security.
This work provides a comprehensive overview of IoT- and ML-based smart irrigation systems, demonstrating their potential to enable data-driven, intelligent, and sustainable water management in agriculture, while also discussing key technical and operational challenges related to their real-world adoption.
The inclusion of this research in FAO-AGRIS represents a formal international acknowledgment by FAO of its scientific quality, credibility, and relevance, confirming that Moroccan research is making a meaningful contribution to global knowledge and to evidence-based solutions for sustainable agricultural development.
This achievement highlights the growing role of Moroccan universities and research institutions in advancing innovation in smart agriculture, water security, and digital transformation, and recognizes our contributions to international research aligned with global development priorities promoted by organizations such as the FAO and the World Bank.
This FAO recognition serves as a strong incentive to further strengthen scientific research and innovation, reinforcing the role of knowledge and advanced technologies in building a more sustainable, resilient, and food-secure agricultural future worldwide.
