Agadir – Morocco’s National Institute of Agricultural Research (INRA) and a US agricultural delegation explored opportunities for scientific and technical cooperation, focusing on crop improvement and climate resilience.
The discussions took place on Friday, when INRA Director Lamiae Ghaouti, Secretary General Rachid Moussadek, and members of the institute’s executive board received representatives of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA), according to an INRA statement.
The US delegation included agricultural officials from Maine, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Illinois, alongside representatives of NASDA.
The meeting examined advances in agricultural research and how technological innovations can support farmers and agricultural producers.
The discussions focused on genome editing as a tool to accelerate crop genetic improvement and conservation agriculture as a way to strengthen farming systems against climate-related challenges.
INRA said the meeting laid the groundwork for continued dialogue and opened new opportunities for scientific and technical cooperation between Morocco and the United States.
US grants $33.1 Million to Morocco’s agricultural sector
The research discussions come as Morocco secures new US funding to strengthen its agricultural sector.
On October 9, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) selected Morocco as one of seven countries for a five-year award under its Food for Progress program.
The grant, worth up to $33.1 million, aims to improve food safety and strengthen Morocco’s livestock sector.
The project will use proceeds from the sale of 33,000 metric tons of US-grown soybean meal and wheat to finance development activities. International development organization Counterpart International will implement the project, which is expected to benefit around 5,000 people.
The award is part of a broader US agricultural assistance package announced on October 8. The USDA allocated $825 million across its Food for Progress, Food for Peace, and McGovern-Dole Food for Education programs.
Morocco joins Bangladesh, Bolivia, Ecuador, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Thailand among the countries selected for the program.
