Signed on the sidelines of the 16th edition of the Morocco International Agriculture Trade Show, (SIAM), held under the High Patronage of HM King Mohammed VI, under the theme “Climate and agriculture: For sustainable and resilient production systems”, this roadmap sets out 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, making it a lever for achieving mutually beneficial sustainable development that fosters the emergence of concrete political, sectoral, economic, technical, technological, educational and scientific cooperation.
The roadmap also highlights the central role played by agriculture, forestry and agrifood in the economy, society and sustainable development of the Moroccan and French territories, as well as the potential that the transition to sustainable, climate-resilient agricultural and forestry systems holds in terms of investment, job creation, economic growth, trade, stability and equitable, sustainable and inclusive human development.
Speaking at the event, Sadiki emphasized the importance of SIAM, which has become a key event on Morocco’s agricultural agenda, providing an important platform for the sector’s development.
In this regard, he stressed the relevance of this meeting with his French counterpart, which is intended as an opportunity to highlight the projects accomplished jointly by the two countries, underlining the importance of developing human resources and research, particularly in the field of climate change.
For his part, Fesneau emphasized the importance of the roadmap, reviewing its key areas.
Following this meeting, the two ministers co-presided over the signing ceremony of several agreements between Moroccan and French professionals.
The first framework partnership agreement was signed between the National Interprofessional Federation of Seeds and Seedlings (FNIS) on the Moroccan side and the Agricultural Interprofessional Organization for Seeds and Seedlings (SEMAE) on the French side.
The second framework agreement was inked between the Interprofessional Federation of Cereal Activities (FIAC) and Intercéréales France, with the aim of supporting FIAC from the outset of its development projects, helping to set them up, and providing assistance during the reflection, creation and follow-up phases.
The third framework agreement was signed between the Interprofessional federation of the dairy industry (Maroc lait) on the Moroccan side, and the National Interprofessional Livestock and Meat Association (INTERBEV) on the French side.
A memorandum of understanding was also signed between the National Sheep and Goat Association (ANOC), ROM Sélection and the Auvergne Rhône Alpes Regional Chamber of Agriculture.
Another MoU was inked as part of the project to create a regional technical center to develop oilseed production in Morocco.
For their part, the National Institute for Higher Education in Agriculture, Food and the Environment (France) and the Meknes National School of Agriculture (Morocco) signed a framework agreement for inter-university cooperation.
In addition, a framework cooperation agreement was signed between the Hassan II Agronomic and Veterinary Institute and the National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (INRAE) to promote the mutual advancement of knowledge, science and social and economic development.
A letter of intent was also signed between the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) and INRAE, expressing the willingness of the two institutions to combine their efforts and expertise to set up an International Associated Laboratory (LIA) focusing on the valorization of biomass, organic waste and micro-algae for the production of energy, animal feed and fertilizers/biostimulants.
Finally, as part of its continuous partnership with the French Development Agency (AFD), the Crédit Agricole du Maroc signed two credit agreements to strengthen the sustainability and resilience of agriculture in the face of climate change, with a view to ensuring greater food security.
