Supported by ICARDA/EiA and Prominent Partners: The Moroccan Conservation Agriculture Association Launches a Training Workshop to Promote Sustainable Agriculture and Soil Health…
Dr. Rachid Moussadek, a distinguished researcher at the National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA) and ICARDA, inaugurated the training workshop with a valuable scientific lecture on conservation agriculture and its importance in addressing climate change. Dr. Moussadek highlighted the pioneering efforts and technical support provided by ICARDA/EiA to promote these sustainable agricultural practices. The presentation underscored the role of conservation agriculture in enhancing resource efficiency, improving soil health, mitigating the effects of climate change, and achieving food security amid increasing environmental challenges.
Dr. Moussadek lecture is part of broader efforts aimed at promoting conservation agriculture and protecting soil health from degradation.
It is worth noting that the Moroccan Conservation Agriculture Association, in collaboration with local and international partners, organized an exceptional training workshop on Saturday and Sunday, October 19 and 20, at the Agri-Food Industries Hub in Meknes. The event brought together 70 participants, including farmers and agricultural service providers from 15 provinces, who received intensive training on the latest conservation agriculture techniques and the importance of preserving soil health.
The training, supported by ICARDA/EiA, agricultural research programs, and soil initiatives, featured detailed presentations by agricultural experts on the fundamental principles of conservation agriculture. These included sustainable farming techniques that boost agricultural productivity while safeguarding natural resources. The workshop also focused on the role of agricultural service providers in supporting farmers through technical and field consultations to ensure the application of best agricultural practices, particularly within the framework of the direct seeding program, a key pillar of the “Green Generation” strategy.
In a press statement to Al-Moheet Agricultural Magazine, Agricultural Engineer Mr. Mohsen Abdelhakim, President of the Moroccan Conservation Agriculture Association, emphasized the significance of this training, which targets agricultural service providers. He noted that this group plays a crucial role as a link between farmers and the association in implementing conservation agriculture techniques. He stressed the importance of their commitment to delivering accurate messages to ensure the program’s success.
Mr. Abdelhakim explained that this training complements the association’s efforts from the previous agricultural season, which included awareness caravans for farmer members of the association. He highlighted that the success of conservation agriculture relies on three fundamental pillars: crop rotation, retaining as much crop residue as possible, and direct seeding. These pillars form a solid foundation for ensuring soil sustainability and increasing agricultural productivity. He added that the objective of this training is to equip agricultural service providers with the necessary tools to effectively convey these concepts to farmers along the technical agricultural pathway.
The workshop concluded with participants reaffirming the importance of continuing such training initiatives to support the transition to sustainable agriculture. They stressed the need to intensify collaborative efforts among various stakeholders to achieve the goals of the “Green Generation” strategy and protect soil from degradation. This contributes to the sustainability of Morocco’s agricultural sector and enhances food security.
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