Agadir – Morocco’s National Institute for Agronomic Research (INRA) and the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) signed a memorandum of understanding on February 10 in Rabat.
The agreement aims to expand joint research in sustainable agriculture and climate-resilient farming systems, as the two countries strengthen scientific cooperation to address shared agricultural and environmental challenges.
The agreement was signed by INRA Director Lamiae Ghaouti and ACIAR Research Program Manager Rita Ritchie while the official Australian delegation is on a Morocco visit led by Ambassador Damian Donovan.
The partnership is part of the Africa–Australia Partnership for Climate Responsive Agriculture, a major initiative designed to strengthen the resilience of farming systems across Africa while improving food security through research collaboration and capacity building.
The program is funded at approximately $76.4 million over six years and supports cooperation between African and Australian research institutions.
Joint research and innovation
Under the agreement, the two institutions will develop joint research projects and expand cooperation in areas such as training, knowledge exchange, and scientific innovation.
The partnership also aims to strengthen professional networks between researchers and support practical application of scientific findings to improve farming systems.
Priority research areas include climate-resilient agriculture, improved water-use efficiency, drought management, pasture management, and conservation agriculture.
These areas are considered essential for adapting agricultural production to climate variability, especially in regions facing water scarcity and extreme weather risks.
Alignment with Morocco’s agricultural strategy
The cooperation aligns with Morocco’s “Generation Green 2020-2030” strategy, which prioritizes innovation, sustainability, and the modernization of agricultural value chains.
The strategy aims to increase productivity while strengthening resilience to climate stress, as an increasingly urgent objective that is causing droughts and pressure on water resources.
Morocco’s agricultural sector faces structural climate challenges, including arid conditions that threaten productivity in several agricultural value chains. To combat this, the government seeks technical partnerships with countries that face similar environmental conditions.
Australia’s work on the continent
The Africa–Australia partnership is designed to deliver long-term benefits as well as emphasizes inclusive agricultural development, including strengthening participation of women and supporting local innovation systems.
The program focuses particularly on North and West Africa, including Morocco, Egypt, Ghana, and Nigeria, and seeks to expand scientific collaboration while ensuring solutions are adapted to local conditions.