Signing of several agreements between professionals from the two countries
Cooperation : Morocco and France have just reached a new milestone in cooperation in the agricultural sector. In fact, on April 22, 2024, the two parties adopted a roadmap along these lines. This day was also marked by the signing of several agreements between professionals from the two countries.
The Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests, Mohammed Sadiki, and the Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty of the French Republic, Marc Fesneau, signed Monday April 22, 2024 in Meknes, a road map for the development of cooperation and partnership in the agricultural and forestry fields. Acted on the sidelines of the 16th edition of the International Agricultural Show in Morocco (SIAM), this roadmap sets the priority areas of cooperation between Morocco and France in the agricultural and forestry fields. The objective, as explained in a press release from the Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests, is to strengthen cooperation between the parties in these two areas and to 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.
This roadmap also aims to contribute to achieving the common objectives of food security and sovereignty and sustainable management of natural resources (water, soil, forests and biodiversity). According to the same Source, it 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 that the transition towards sustainable agricultural and forestry systems that are resilient to climate change in terms of investment, job creation, economic growth, trade, stability and equitable, sustainable and inclusive human development.
Partnerships between professionals
During the first day of SIAM 2024, the two ministers co-chaired the signing ceremony of several conventions between professionals from the two countries. Thus, the first framework partnership agreement is concluded between the National Interprofessional Federation of Seeds and Plants (FNIS) for the Moroccan part and the Agricultural Interprofession of Seeds and Plants (SEMAE) for the French part. This framework partnership agreement aims to describe the framework of collaboration between FNIS and SEMAE in favor of supporting developments in the Moroccan seeds and plants sector. The second framework agreement is concluded between the Interprofessional Federation of Cereal Activities (FIAC) and Intercereals France. This agreement aims to support FIAC from the outset of its development projects, help with their implementation and provide assistance during the reflection, creation and monitoring phases. For its part, the third framework agreement is concluded between the Interprofessional Federation of the Milk Sector (Maroc Lait) for the Moroccan part and the National Interprofessional Association of Livestock and Meat (Interbev) for the French part. It aims to provide a framework for collaboration between Maroc Lait and Interbev to support the development of Moroccan dairy production. On this occasion, a memorandum of understanding was also signed between the National Sheep and Goat Association (ANOC) and Sheep Breeds of Massif 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). In addition, another memorandum of understanding was concluded as part of the project to create a regional technical center for the development of oilseed production in Morocco. As the same press release explains, this project, which benefits the Interprofessional Oilseed Federation (FOLEA), aims to strengthen the technical and organizational capacities of upstream actors in the sector via the establishment of a center regional technical. It is part of a constructive and collaborative approach between the parties for the sustainable development of the Moroccan oilseed industry.
It should also be noted that the National Institute of Higher Education for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (France) and the National School of Agriculture of Meknes (Morocco) have 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, strengthen scientific partnerships, encourage mobility of teacher-researchers, staff and students, develop exchange and research programs. 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 (INRA), Food and the Environment. It aims to promote the mutual progress of knowledge, science as well as social and economic development. Along the same lines, a letter of intent was also signed between the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) and the National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (INRAE France) which states the desire of the two institutions to combine their efforts and expertise to collaborate in order to set up an Associated International Laboratory (LIA) relating to the valorization of biomass and organic waste and microalgae for the production of energy, food for animals and fertilizers/biostimulants.
Furthermore, Crédit Agricole du Maroc (CAM) and the French Development Agency (AFD) signed two credit agreements to finance investments contributing to the resilience and sustainability of the Moroccan economy. The program, which amounts to 70 million euros in loan and 2.1 million euros in technical assistance and will mainly finance investments in agricultural operations, in particular for more efficient use of water in agriculture , agroecology and the diffusion of species and varieties resilient to climate change.
