The Climate Change Competence Centre (4C Maroc), the International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), and the National Institute of Agricultural Research (INRA) organized the “Science-Policy Dialogue” exchange workshop on “Conservation and Climate-Resilient Agriculture in Morocco: Challenges and Opportunities for Better Adaptation,” on Wednesday at the International Agriculture Show in Morocco (SIAM) in Meknes, said the 4C Morocco release.
The workshop brought together a diverse panel of experts, decision-makers, researchers, farmers and key players at local, national, continental, and international levels.
As part of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) initiative and as part of the “Climate Change Policy Dialogue in Morocco” project, the workshop provided an opportunity to highlight the pressing challenges facing Moroccan agriculture as a result of climate change and the increasing scarcity of water resources.
Given the climatic challenges facing Morocco, conservation agriculture is of major importance. This specialization encompassing agrarian ecosystem management aims to achieve sustained improvements in productivity, and increased profits and food security, while preserving the environment and its natural resources.
Specifically, it comprises sound agricultural practices that preserve soil quality and health, guarantee water availability, and protect biodiversity and ecosystem services, while at the same time reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Conservation agriculture also helps to make farms more resilient in the face of climatic hazards and water shortages.
Moreover, by promoting carbon sequestration, conservation agriculture can play a role in efforts to combat climate change, while improving the long-term sustainability and viability of Morocco’s agricultural sector, while contributing to the Kingdom’s food security.
During this event, participants had the opportunity to exchange experiences, ideas and best practices to promote sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture, adapted to the unique environmental conditions and microclimates of our country.
There were lively discussions on the best strategies and approaches to adopt to deal with water scarcity and the impact of climate change on agriculture, with a particular focus on semi-direct farming.
This cultivation technique, which involves growing crops without mechanical preparation of the seedbed and with as little disturbance as possible to the soil since the harvest of the previous crop, creates an environment conducive to crop growth by preserving soil quality, improving water and moisture retention, and limiting nutrient losses.
Stakeholder contributions emphasized the crucial importance of a collaborative and inclusive approach, involving players from the agricultural sector, research, public policy (including the environment, finance and industry), and from donors and civil society, in order to emphasize a holistic perspective while strengthening the resilience of Moroccan farmers, particularly those practicing small-scale methods.
Emphasis was also placed on the need to build technical and institutional capacity to better adapt to climate challenges.
At the conclusion of the workshop, the participants expressed their commitment to continuing the dialogue and collaboration to develop concrete and sustainable solutions for the future of agriculture in Morocco.