A day of communication on new plant varieties from the National Institute of Agronomic Research (INRA) was organized on Tuesday, in Tamellalt (province of El Kelaâ des Sraghna), for the benefit of farmers in the Marrakech-Safi region.
Organized at the Tassaout Experimental Domain under the Regional Center for Agricultural Research (CRRA) of Marrakech-Safi, this meeting aims to show the degree of resilience of new INRA productions in the face of climate change, in order to increase their rate of use and appropriation by farmers and seed companies.
Speaking on this occasion, the head of the scientific division of INRA, Imane Thami Alami, stressed that this communication day is part of the transfer approach adopted by the Institute, which is based on the “Demonstration platforms for its new accessions”, installed in the different experimental areas, with the aim of showing the genetic progress of these new varieties and allowing the various stakeholders to inquire about their qualities, in order to increase the rate of their use and appropriation by farmers, producers and seed companies.
And to note that varietal creation, as an innovative vector, constitutes one of the important levers to support the new agricultural strategy “Green Generation 2020-2030” and contribute to the achievement of its objectives.
“Variety constitutes a key factor for the improvement and sustainability of production, through the improvement of productivity and quality and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses,” she explained, noting that the he impact of varietal creation on increasing yield remains dependent on the transfer and use of these varieties by farmers on a large scale and within a reasonable time frame.
INRA, as a major player in the implementation of the “Green Generation” Strategy, is requested in its research program to develop between 30 and 50 new varieties (all sectors combined) with an increase in yield. at least 50% while strengthening the competitiveness of sectors, adaptation to climate change and sustainable management of natural resources, she insisted.
The head of the CRRA in Marrakech, El Koudrim Mohamed, stressed in a statement to MAP that varietal creation is considered a major factor in improving productivity, quality and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses.
While emphasizing the importance of developing new varieties to increase productivity, he stressed the need to transfer and disseminate the accessions created and use them by farmers on a large scale and within a specific time frame.
In this context, he stressed that INRA has adopted an approach based on “Platforms for demonstrating its new varieties” in order to promote and communicate on new varieties of cereals, food and fodder legumes and oilseed plants.
This communication meeting was also an opportunity to highlight the importance of supplemental irrigation to ensure reliable production, especially in the context of an agricultural season marked by a restrictive drought at the start of the cycle.
It also made it possible to review the INRA program for the multiplication of pre-basic and basic seeds of new varieties licensed or in the licensing phase.
In addition to farmers, this meeting was attended by representatives of the Regional Directorate of Agriculture in Marrakech-Safi, the National Agricultural Council Office (ONCA), the National Seed Marketing Company (SONACOS), and INRA researchers.
As a reminder, INRA has “Platforms for demonstrating its new productions” installed in six experimental areas representing the main production areas, namely Tadla (Afourer), Haouz (Tassaout), Saïs (Douyet), Gharb (Sidi Allal Tazi). ), Zaër (Marchouch), and the mountain (Annoceur).
Through these demonstration platforms, intended for farmers and all institutional and professional partners, INRA aims to show the genetic progress of these new accessions and allow the various stakeholders to inquire about their agronomic and physiological qualities. and technological, in order to increase the rate of their use and appropriation by farmers, producers and seed companies.
