Morocco is stepping up efforts to make its agricultural sector more resilient to climate change, with support from Australia. This week in Rabat, Morocco’s National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA) and the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) signed an agreement to strengthen cooperation in scientific research, innovation, and climate adaptation for agriculture.
The partnership pledges to advance joint research projects, boost capacity building and training, enhance expertise exchange, and promote climate-smart agricultural solutions. It is part of the broader Africa–Australia Partnership for Climate Responsive Agriculture, launched in 2024, a six-year initiative supported by AU$76 million (about US$50 million). The program is designed to strengthen the climate resilience of African farming systems while fostering food security through collaborative research and knowledge sharing between African and Australian institutions.
Under the agreement, Moroccan farmers and researchers are expected to benefit from Australia’s extensive experience in agriculture under arid and semi-arid conditions. Australia, despite its recurring droughts, is a global leader in wheat, livestock, and dryland farming technologies. Moroccan authorities aim to leverage these lessons to improve local productivity, enhance soil management, and adopt innovative water-use strategies, especially in regions vulnerable to desertification and climate shocks.
The Africa–Australia Partnership underscores the importance of climate-responsive practices across the continent. Climate-smart agriculture integrates sustainable land use, drought-resistant crop varieties, and modern irrigation techniques to reduce vulnerability to climate risks. By building institutional capacity and fostering scientific collaboration, Morocco seeks to ensure that its agricultural sector can continue to contribute to economic growth, employment, and national food security, even as climate pressures intensify.
Beyond technical cooperation, the agreement emphasizes capacity building. Moroccan researchers, extension workers, and farmers will have access to training programs, workshops, and exchange visits with Australian counterparts. These initiatives aim to equip local stakeholders with skills to adopt innovative agricultural practices, evaluate new technologies, and scale climate-smart interventions. In turn, Australia benefits from exposure to North African agricultural contexts, broadening its research reach and understanding of adaptation strategies in diverse environments.
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Food security remains a central concern for Morocco, where recurrent droughts have challenged crop yields and livestock production. The partnership aligns with the country’s national strategies for sustainable agriculture and climate adaptation, which prioritize resource-efficient practices, sustainable land management, and resilience to water scarcity. By integrating research-based approaches with farmer-centric implementation, Morocco hopes to improve both productivity and environmental sustainability.
Economic growth is another key objective. Agriculture is a major employer in Morocco, supporting millions of rural livelihoods. By adopting climate-smart practices, the sector can become more resilient to shocks, increase yields, and generate higher income for farmers. The collaboration with Australia is expected to accelerate the adoption of innovative solutions, enabling Morocco to modernize its agricultural sector while addressing pressing environmental challenges.
The Morocco–Australia initiative also highlights the broader trend of international collaboration in agriculture and climate adaptation. African countries are increasingly partnering with global research institutions to leverage expertise, funding, and technology transfer. Programs such as this one provide a platform for knowledge sharing, regional learning, and evidence-based policymaking, which are critical to meeting both national and continental food security goals.
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In conclusion, Morocco’s partnership with Australia represents a strategic step toward climate-resilient agriculture. By combining Australian expertise with local knowledge, the initiative aims to enhance research, strengthen farmer capacity, and foster innovative, sustainable agricultural practices. With AU$76 million (US$50 million) backing and a six-year horizon, the program positions Morocco as a leader in climate-smart agriculture in North Africa while contributing to broader continental objectives of food security, environmental resilience, and economic growth.
