Signing of a new agricultural cooperation project between Morocco and the European Union
On the sidelines of the sixteenth edition of the International Forum of Agriculture in Morocco, a commitment contract for a new project aimed at supporting the adaptation of Moroccan agricultural and forestry training and research to the challenges of ecological transition, entitled “Innovation”, was signed in Meknes between the Kingdom of Morocco and the European Union, represented respectively by Mohammed Sadiki, Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests of Morocco, and Patricia Llombart Cussac, Ambassador of the European Union to Morocco.
Both parties are committed to supporting a new cooperation project with the Hassan II Agronomic and Veterinary Institute (IAV), the National Institute of Agronomic Research (INRA), the National School of Agriculture of Meknes (ENAM) and the National Forestry School of Engineers (ENFI).
Patricia Llombart Cussac, Ambassador of the European Union to Morocco, declared: “The support for training and research, by four renowned Moroccan agricultural and forestry institutions, aims to prepare a new generation of decision-makers, men and women, engineers , trainers, technicians, advisors and researchers in the field of agriculture, livestock and forestry to face the common challenges of climate change, resource regeneration and biodiversity more effectively, as well as promoting green businesses.
For his part, Mohammed Sadiki, Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests of Morocco, declared: “This green partnership between Morocco and the European Union demonstrates our commitment to sustainable agriculture capable of adapting to climate change. We welcome the concrete measures taken and those planned for the future, in particular the support provided to the national agricultural training and research system aimed at supporting the adaptation of Moroccan agricultural and forestry training and research to the challenges of ecological transition. “.
The value of the “Innovation” project amounts to 43 million dirhams (4 million euros), financed by the European Union, and extends over three and a half years, with four main objectives:
– Adapt programs to the challenges of environmental transition and train a new generation of students, trainers, farmers and foresters in sustainable production practices and systems, as well as to better face climate challenges;
– Strengthen a cooperative research framework focused on the challenges of ecological transition and climate change, as well as establish a system of cooperation and exchange of research results aimed at ensuring the sustainability of food and forestry systems;
– Disseminate skills and knowledge both to stakeholders and among them, as well as promote technological trajectories adapted and favorable to the environmental transition;
– Design and implement incubation systems, as well as initial and continuing training units on entrepreneurship in sustainable production/consumption chains.
This project is part of the Green Deal program, funded by the European Union, with a total amount of 115 million euros, which contributes to the objectives of sustainability and social and economic integration of agricultural and forestry policies, supporting the strategies of the green generation and forests of Morocco, and is implemented in four leading agricultural and forestry regions: Tangier-Tétouan-Al Hoceima, Beni Mellal-Khénifra, Drâa-Tafilalet and the Oriental region.
