Morocco and US Explore New Agricultural Research Partnerships: Could Gene Editing Help Farmers?
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The Arab Post
- . October 12, 2026
- . Update: October 12, 2026 6:29 pm
Morocco and the United States are formally strengthening their international scientific cooperation to face the major challenges of global warming. The high-level discussions confirmed this weekend between Morocco US agricultural research partnerships, with the emphasis on high-level biotechnology to guarantee the country’s food security.
Can genetic engineering be used to help farmers cope with unprecedented droughts? So far, the main question that was discussed at high level with bilateral talks in Rabat on Friday was that.
The team of the National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA) headed by the director, Lamiae Ghaouti, held a meeting in Morocco with a delegation from the American National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA). The two parties have agreed to build up a comprehensive framework for immediate scientific and technical cooperation.
Leveraging Crop Genetic Improvement
One of the main topics of the bilateral discussions was the use of genome editing as one of the major methods to speed up crop genetic improvement. As North Africa is now experiencing years of water shortage, the ability to produce drought-resistant seed varieties is no longer an option but a national security issue.
The delegations also spoke about the conservation agriculture practices which would help to make weak farming systems more resilient, as reported by the North Africa Post.
In addition, the genetic potential of the local cattle was pointed out as being great, said INRA Morocco officials. Through cross-breeding for environmental fitness scientists hope to produce livestock herds ideally suited to the Kingdom’s increasingly dry climate.
Expanding Existing INRA Morocco and USDA Alliances
It is a new dialogue with NASDA which is developed on existing scientific dialogue programs. The Moroccan-American agricultural partnership is already strong, and well supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the USDA.
INRA Morocco has built up its scientific capacity, with a particular focus on specialized training from the USA, over the last two years. Dozens of Moroccan researchers have taken part in prestigious exchange programs, such as Borlaug and Fulbright, to conduct their technical research stays at top U.S. universities, where they are learning about biotech and soil management techniques.
The $33.1 Million Food for Progress Program Award – Morocco US agricultural research partnerships
It is a push for advanced research, during a tremendous flow of American financial aid. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service has just designated Morocco as a key country for its 5-year Food for Progress program, days before the INRA meeting.
This strategic designation opens the door to new grants valued at around $33.1 million that are geared towards promoting local agricultural productivity, says Morocco World News.
Morocco is Africa’s second largest market for U.S. agricultural exports with sales totaling more than $619 million last year. To ensure the protection of this trade route – essential for both parties – it needs to be modernized and highly productive. The Kingdom’s immediate support of these financing measures coupled with its innovative genome research efforts are helping to future-proof its agricultural economy.
In the end, Morocco and US explore new agricultural research partnerships, and the use of biotechnology may have the potential to revolutionize the region’s agriculture. If these collaborative efforts are able to provide the region with climate-resilient crops, they will enable farmers to reduce the significant economic consequences of extended droughts in the region.
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