Rédaction Africa Links 24 with alm
Published on 2024-04-17 21:29:42
The Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Forestry, Mohamed Sadiki, met on Wednesday in Rabat with the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Qu Dongyu, who was visiting Morocco for the 33rd session of the FAO Regional Conference for Africa (ARC33), scheduled from April 18 to 20.
The discussions focused on the progress made by Morocco in sustainable production, particularly in the agricultural, forestry, and fisheries sectors, as part of the implementation of the three national sector strategies, namely “Green Generation” for the development of the agricultural sector, “Halieutis” for the development of the fisheries sector, and “Forests of Morocco” for the development of the forestry sector.
During the meeting, the two parties emphasized the cooperation strategy between the Kingdom of Morocco and FAO aimed at strengthening agri-food systems at the national and African levels, while reaffirming their common vision and commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
In a press statement following the discussions, Mr. Sadiki mentioned that both parties exchanged views on the partnership between Morocco and FAO, as well as on the national strategies implemented in various sectors.
The discussions also focused on future development and cooperation perspectives, as well as on the issue of transforming agri-food systems in response to climate change, the minister said.
For his part, the FAO Director-General praised the excellent relations between the Kingdom of Morocco and the UN organization, expressing gratitude for Morocco’s hospitality and its proactive role in regional dynamics, particularly in terms of South-South cooperation.
Accompanied by the Minister, the FAO Director-General visited the National Center for Monitoring Fishing Vessels (CNSNP), a strategic tool for the sustainable management of fisheries resources and the safety of maritime activities in Morocco. This center illustrates the Kingdom’s commitment to preserving its fisheries resources and oceans for future generations.
The visit to the National Institute of Agronomic Research (INRA) allowed an overview of the Medium-Term Research Program (PRMT) 2021-2024, the selection scheme for improving cereals, recently registered varieties of cereals in the official catalogue, and developed barley seed varieties.
The delegation also visited the cereal quality laboratory and the gene bank of the International Center for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas (ICARDA). The delegation’s tour continued with a visit to the university veterinary hospital of the Hassan II Agronomic and Veterinary Institute (IAV), which aims to be the first of its kind in the African continent.
This meeting took place on the eve of the start of ARC33, where 54 delegations, including over 40 led by African Agriculture ministers, will gather in Rabat to define priorities with FAO for the next two years, aiming to achieve transformative and sustainable change in agri-food systems across the continent.
It should be noted that Morocco will chair the FAO Regional Conference for Africa for two consecutive years.
Read the original article(French) on Aujourdhui.ma
