On the occasion of World Soil Day which takes place on December 5 each year, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Center for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas (ICARDA- a leading CGIAR research center, specializing in agriculture in dry areas) and the National Institute of Agronomic Research (INRA) are organizing the Sustainability Days, around the theme: “ Towards Sustainable Soil and Water Management for Better Resilience of Agricultural Systems in Morocco”, and this, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests (MAPMDREF), as well as a large consortium of public and private actors, including national institutions (ADA, ANDZOA, ONCA, IAV H II, ENAM, ENFI, UM6P/Almoutmir, APNI, Tourba, etc.) and non-governmental organizations (AMSSOL, AIGR, AMAC, etc.).
These days aim to raise awareness of the importance of sustainable management of soil and water in the face of climate change, with a view to ensuring sustainable food security for future generations – a global objective commonly shared with the Generation Green Strategy. To this end, they will include various activities aimed at strengthening local skills in the preservation of soil, water and biodiversity, while highlighting sustainable and innovative agricultural practices such as direct seeding, optimized irrigation and reasoned fertilization.
This event will bring together experts, researchers, policy makers and students to explore innovative avenues in sustainable agriculture. The first day will be devoted to presentations and discussions on sustainable agricultural solutions, with a particular focus on the development of a National Soil Charter and the promotion of responsible agronomic practices for sustainable management of soil and water resources. , with the aim of improving the stability of agricultural yields. The second day, for its part, will take place on the campus of the Agronomic and Veterinary Institute Hassan II (IAV Hassan II), and will take the form of a thematic school, including technical workshops on direct seeding and regenerative agriculture. .
Read also: Towards sustainable management of soil and water for better resilience of agricultural systems in Morocco
The Sustainability Days will end with the celebration of World Soil Day, on December 5, 2024, at the INRA-ICARDA research station in Marchouch, with visits to the direct seeding and agroecological testing platforms. This day will highlight the fundamental role of soils in food security and ecosystem health, while strengthening commitments to resilient and sustainable agriculture.
