Morocco and FAO Explore Agricultural Innovation to Strengthen Food Security

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Morocco is placing scientific research, technological innovation and the preservation of agricultural knowledge at the centre of its efforts to strengthen food security and national food sovereignty. The issue was highlighted during the 2026 World Food Day celebrations in Rabat, where government officials, researchers and agricultural professionals examined ways to make the country's food production systems more sustainable and resilient.

Khalid Hatimy, Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries and Food Sovereignty, chaired the event on October 27 at the Hassan II Institute of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine. The gathering was organised by the ministry in partnership with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), represented in Morocco by Alexandre Anh Tài Huynh.

Held under the theme “Innovate Today to Feed Tomorrow,” the meeting focused on the contribution of innovation to agricultural transformation and the country's ability to respond to growing pressure on food supplies.

Research and digital technology to reshape agricultural production

Scientific research and technological development featured prominently in discussions on the future of Morocco's agri-food sector. Participants explored several areas considered essential to improving productivity while protecting the resources on which agricultural activity depends.

The programme addressed the preservation of genetic resources, sustainable livestock farming, the digitalisation of agricultural markets and the development of digital advisory services for farmers. These areas offer opportunities to improve access to technical information, strengthen agricultural management and help producers adapt to changing economic and environmental conditions.

The discussions also highlighted the importance of training younger generations and promoting Morocco's agricultural heritage. Combining scientific advances with local expertise was presented as a way to develop solutions that reflect the specific needs of farming communities and regional production systems.

Climate pressures reinforce the need for resilient food systems

The meeting took place against a backdrop of climate change, increasing pressure on natural resources and concerns about the reliability of food supplies. These challenges have strengthened the case for agricultural models capable of maintaining production while making more efficient use of available resources.

Innovation can contribute to this transition through improved farming techniques, better-informed production decisions and the development of more sustainable livestock and crop systems. Research into genetic resources can also support the preservation of agricultural biodiversity, while digital tools can facilitate the circulation of information across supply chains.

However, technological progress alone cannot address every challenge. The discussions in Rabat emphasised the value of connecting scientific knowledge with the practical experience of agricultural professionals and traditional know-how. Such cooperation can help ensure that new solutions remain relevant to local conditions and accessible to the people expected to use them.

The broader objective is to strengthen domestic production capacity, improve the resilience of agricultural value chains and support access to healthy, high-quality food.

Generation Green 2020-2030 provides a policy framework

The priorities discussed during the event align with Morocco's Generation Green 2020-2030 strategy, which seeks to advance agricultural and rural development through investment in human capital, innovation and sustainability.

Closer cooperation between research institutions, training establishments and agricultural professionals is an important part of this approach. Strengthening these links can accelerate the transfer of scientific findings to farms and encourage the adoption of practices suited to different production environments.

For Morocco, the challenge is not simply to generate new agricultural technologies but also to ensure that they translate into practical improvements across the sector. Training, advisory services and collaboration among public institutions, researchers and producers can help bridge the gap between research and implementation.

The strategy's emphasis on human capital also highlights the role of younger generations in modernising agricultural activity and developing the skills required to manage increasingly complex production systems.

Food sovereignty remains a long-term challenge

The World Food Day gathering underscored the importance of securing reliable food supplies while strengthening the country's capacity to produce food sustainably. This objective requires coordinated action across research, education, technology and agricultural production.

By bringing together public institutions, international partners and sector professionals, the Rabat meeting provided a platform to discuss how innovation could contribute to a more resilient Moroccan agricultural model.

The central challenge will be turning these priorities into measurable progress on the ground. Protecting natural resources, improving production practices and making research more accessible to farmers will remain essential to strengthening food security and preparing the sector for future environmental and economic pressures.