Strengthening cooperation in the fields of agronomic research, agricultural innovation, and the development of strategic sectors was at the center of talks held on Wednesday in Rabat between Director of the National Institute for Agronomic Research (INRA), Lamiae Ghaouti, and Agriculture Commissioner of North Dakota (USA), Doug Goehring.
The meeting, which provided an opportunity to discuss partnership prospects between INRA and agricultural stakeholders in the U.S. state, is part of efforts to enhance exchanges and international cooperation in the agricultural field.
During the meeting, INRA officials presented the Institute’s main missions, as well as its research programs focused on improving agricultural production systems, adapting to climate change, and enhancing natural resources.
In a statement to MAP, Goehring highlighted the importance of this visit, which paves the way for concrete prospects for cooperation between the two parties.
The discussions helped identify several areas of collaboration, particularly in agricultural innovation, crop development, and expertise sharing, he noted, and expressed the willingness to further strengthen relations between the agricultural institutions of both sides.
For her part, Ghaouti stated that this visit helps consolidate cooperation between Morocco and the United States in research and development.
Discussions addressed common challenges faced by both parties, she said, adding that these exchanges made it possible to outline prospects for cooperation, particularly in the field of conservation agriculture, where the State of North Dakota has advanced expertise.
Moreover, the Director of INRA pointed out that both sides explored possibilities for collaboration in the development of resilient crops, their genetic improvement, and their valorization, notably barley and durum wheat.
She also indicated that an INRA delegation will soon visit the State of North Dakota to strengthen the exchange of expertise and to implement partnership in identified sectors.
Both parties also examined opportunities for collaboration in technology transfer, training, and knowledge exchange, with a view to contributing to the modernization of the agricultural sector and strengthening its resilience.
