Morocco's INRA Showcases Homegrown Agricultural Innovations

Friday 10 May 2024 - 14:30

Morocco's National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA) recently hosted an event to showcase its latest crop varieties to key stakeholders in the agricultural sector. The event provided an opportunity for attendees to observe firsthand the agronomic, physiological, and technological features of these newly developed varieties, encouraging broader adoption and utilization.

Abdelaziz Yasri, the Secretary-General of INRA, spoke to the press about the institute's commitment to technology transfer through demonstration platforms that display new varieties across Morocco's diverse agro-ecological regions. "This event is part of our strategic approach to promote and raise awareness of the high-performing varieties developed by our national agricultural research efforts," he explained.

Fostering Agricultural Sovereignty

Yasri elaborated that the event's primary objective was to present the latest research outcomes to key players in the agricultural industry, including professional bodies, industry experts, and farmers. He highlighted the crucial role of this technology transfer process in supporting the "Generation Green" strategy, which aims to increase agricultural yields by 50% between 2020 and 2030. "Our mission is to provide Moroccan farmers with locally developed technologies that can enhance their productivity and overall living standards," he said.

Mona Taghouti, a researcher specializing in cereal crop improvement, highlighted the key attributes of these new varieties, including high yields, adaptability to Morocco's challenging climatic conditions, and superior quality. For varieties not yet commercialized, Taghouti explained that INRA identifies partner seed companies to facilitate multiplication, demonstrating the institute's commitment to achieving seed sovereignty and reducing reliance on foreign varieties.

A Rigorous Journey

Taghouti described the extensive process, which takes an average of 12 years, to develop each new variety. Researchers conduct numerous trials across Morocco's diverse landscapes to ensure the varieties are perfectly adapted to the country's varying climatic conditions.

"The imperative now is to ensure the successful transfer of these homegrown varieties to farmers, allowing them to fully benefit from our dedicated research efforts," Taghouti emphasized.

Varietal development, as a key driver of innovation, plays a significant role in supporting Morocco's new agricultural strategy, Generation Green, and its overarching objectives.

According to INRA officials, variety selection is critical to improving and sustaining production through enhanced productivity, quality, and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. While varietal development is a crucial factor in yield improvement, its impact can only be fully realized if the newly developed varieties are widely disseminated and adopted by farmers in a reasonable timeframe.