Signed on the sidelines of the 16th edition of the International Agricultural Show in Morocco (SIAM), organized under the High Patronage of HM King Mohammed VI, under the theme “Climate and agriculture: For sustainable and resilient production systems”, this roadmap sets the priority areas of cooperation between the two countries in the agricultural and forestry fields.
It also aims to strengthen Morocco-France cooperation in these areas and make it a lever to achieve mutually beneficial sustainable development which promotes the emergence of concrete political, sectoral, economic, technical, technological, educational and scientific cooperation.
It is also about helping to achieve the common objectives of food security and sovereignty, and sustainable management of natural resources (water, soil, forests and biodiversity).
The said roadmap also highlights the central role played by agriculture, the forestry sector and the agri-food industry in the economy, society and sustainable development of Moroccan and French territories, as well as the potential contained in the transition to sustainable and resilient agricultural and forestry systems in the face of climate change in terms of investment, job creation, economic growth, trade, stability and equitable, sustainable and inclusive human development.
Speaking on this occasion, Mr. Sadiki recalled the importance of SIAM, which has become an event that punctuates the agricultural agenda in Morocco and offers a very important platform for the development of the sector.
In this sense, he emphasized the relevance of this meeting with his French counterpart, which is intended to be an opportunity to highlight the projects carried out jointly by the two countries, emphasizing the place occupied by the valorization of resources. human rights and research, particularly in the area of climate change.
And to specify that it is necessary to encourage research and innovation to cope with the reduction in water resources and the increase in demand combined with population growth.
For his part, Mr. Fesneau highlighted the importance of the roadmap, reviewing its main axes.
To this end, he indicated that the road map mainly covers reciprocity and the sharing of experiences to accelerate the agricultural and forestry transition, livestock policy, monitoring of cereal markets, management of trees and forests and strengthening training and research.
At the end of this meeting, the two ministers co-chaired the signing ceremony of several conventions between Moroccan and French professionals.
The first framework partnership agreement was concluded between the National Interprofessional Federation of Seeds and Plants (FNIS) for the Moroccan part and the agricultural inter-profession of seeds and plants (SEMAE) for the French part. The objective being to describe the framework of the collaboration between the FNIS and SEMAE in favor of supporting the developments of the Moroccan seeds and plants sector.
The second framework agreement was signed between the Interprofessional Federation of Cereal Activities (FIAC) and Intercéales France, with the aim of supporting FIAC, from the outset of its development projects, to help with their implementation and to provide assistance during the reflection, creation and monitoring phases.
The third framework agreement was concluded between the Interprofessional Federation of the Milk Sector (Morocco Lait) for the Moroccan part and the National Interprofessional Association of Livestock and Meat (INTERBEV) for the French part. The objective being to provide a framework for collaboration between Maroc Lait and INTERBEV to support the development of Moroccan dairy production.
A memorandum of understanding was also concluded between the National Sheep and Goat Association (ANOC), Races Ovines des Massifs Sélection (ROM Sélection) and the Regional Chamber of Agriculture of Auvergne Rhône Alpes. This memorandum of understanding aims to consolidate and develop professional sheep/goat cooperation between Morocco and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (France).
Another memorandum of understanding was signed as part of the project to create a regional technical center for the development of oilseed production in Morocco. This project, which benefits the Interprofessional Federation of Oilseeds (FOLEA), aims to strengthen the technical and organizational capacities of stakeholders upstream of the sector via the establishment of a regional technical center.
It is part of a constructive and collaborative approach between the parties for the sustainable development of the Moroccan oilseed industry.
For their part, the National Institute of Higher Education for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (France) and the National School of Agriculture of Meknes (Morocco) signed a framework agreement for inter-university cooperation. This agreement aims to promote cooperation in the fields of research and teaching between the two institutions, to strengthen scientific partnerships, to encourage the mobility of teacher-researchers, staff and students, as well as to develop programs exchanges and research on a basis of reciprocity and mutual interest.
In addition, a framework cooperation agreement was concluded between the Hassan II Agronomic and Veterinary Institute and the National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (INRAE) to promote mutual progress in knowledge , science and social and economic development.
A letter of intent was also signed between the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) and INRAE which expresses the desire of the two institutions to combine their efforts and expertise with a view to setting up an Associated International Laboratory ( LIA) relating to the valorization of biomass and organic waste and micro-algae for the production of energy, animal feed and fertilizers/biostimulants.
Finally, in pursuit of its partnership with the French Development Agency (AFD), Crédit Agricole in Morocco signed two credit agreements to strengthen the sustainability and resilience of agriculture in the face of climate change with a view to to ensure better food security.
2024-10-08 12:16:12