The recent report from the Court of Auditors highlights profound dysfunctions in the agricultural scientific research sector, a field that is nevertheless crucial in the face of the major challenges imposed by climate change. These upheavals plunged Morocco into a period of prolonged drought, marked by six consecutive years of reduced precipitation, rising temperatures and an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme climatic phenomena.
The report deplores that, despite the development of a specific road map for agricultural research by the National Institute of Agronomic Research (INRA) and other agricultural research and training institutions, this has not been implemented. still not adopted or implemented. The Court also points out the absence of program contracts between the State and these institutions, which would make it possible to precisely define the technical and financial objectives, the resources to be mobilized as well as the mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating their execution.
Faced with the climate emergency, the Court of Auditors insists on the need to effectively exploit the results of research relating to agricultural issues linked to mitigation and adaptation to climate change. The Court therefore underlines the imperative of translating these scientific advances into the field by improving communication between the different institutions, promoting the dissemination of knowledge and facilitating its assimilation for the benefit of farmers.
Furthermore, the report reveals numerous gaps that hinder the improvement of the efficiency and performance of agricultural research. These gaps include weak coordination and cooperation at the national level, as well as the absence of a centralized knowledge management system linking all institutions producing agricultural scientific knowledge. Such a system, according to the report, would allow resources and research results to be shared, while avoiding duplication of efforts.
In this perspective, the Court of Auditors calls for strengthening the priorities of agricultural scientific research, a sector facing a double challenge linked to food security. This involves, on the one hand, increasing agricultural production to meet the needs of a constantly growing population and, on the other hand, optimizing the use of natural resources in order to ensure their estimated sustainability. the Court.
This challenge is compounded by the growing effects of climate change, which are predicted to become more pronounced in the future. The report highlights that anticipated impacts include a reduction in agricultural production due to the shortening of the agricultural season, a drop in yields, a degradation of harvests, a weakening of soil fertility and a reduction in cultivable areas.
However, the report recalls that Morocco has a dense network of institutions dedicated to training and agricultural scientific research. Among these actors are notably the National Institute of Agronomic Research (INRA), the Hassan II Agronomic and Veterinary Institute, the National School of Agriculture, the National Forestry School of Engineers, the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University and the National Center for Scientific and Technical Research (CNRST). These institutions play a key role in research and innovation underlines the report, whether it concerns agricultural technological development, adaptation to the needs of the sector or the fight against the consequences of climate change.
Finally, the Court of Auditors’ report reaffirms the need for strengthened governance and a coordinated strategy to allow agricultural scientific research to fully play its role. Because beyond the figures and observations, it is about preparing Morocco to meet the challenges of a future where natural resources will be more precious than ever.
Related News :