Support for Moroccan agriculture in adapting to climate change

Moroccan agriculture is better adapted to climate change.

Project Objective :

Agricultural experts are familiar with drought-tolerant varieties, soil-conserving cultivation methods and water-saving cultivation systems through demonstrations and training.

Results:

Result 1:

Climate-adapted, soil-conserving cultivation techniques were encouraged.

Result 2:

Public and private consultants as well as the public are informed about the influence and effects of climate change on Moroccan agriculture and about possible solutions.

Result 3:

Drought-tolerant wheat varieties and oilseeds are well known.

Result 4:

Drought-tolerant varieties and resource-efficient cultivation systems in fodder production are well known.

Under Result 1:

  • Preparation of existing research results and CECAMA's own experience on no-tillage in the form of a guide (for agricultural advisors), a film, brochures and radio programmes (for farmers).
  • Organisation of a workshop with the representatives of the institutions: ADA, ONCA, IAV, ENAM, OFPPT and OPA to identify measures for the acceptance of cultivation techniques.
  • Establishment of a demonstration platform to illustrate water savings through no-tillage (October and November 2019)
  • Organisation of field days (écoles au champ) for sowing and weed management on the demonstration platform
  • Training of farmers and machine service providers in the use of no-tillage equipment (as part of the demonstrations)
  • Training of public and private agricultural advisors on soil conservation cultivation methods (as part of the demonstrations)

Under Result 2:

  • Preparation of a guide on the effects of climate change on Moroccan agriculture using the documents prepared by ADA and INRA on this subject
  • Organisation of a conference on Climate Smart Agriculture and Conservation Agriculture in cooperation with AMAC

Under Result 3:

  • Preparation of the existing research results of INRA and ICARDA on drought-tolerant wheat varieties and oilseeds in the form of guidelines and/or brochures for multipliers and information material for farmers.
  • Training of private and public agricultural advisors and farmers on the importance of the right choice of varieties with regard to drought tolerance, in collaboration with INRA.
  • Establish a demonstration platform with drought-tolerant wheat varieties and oilseeds (ideally in combination with activity 1.2).
  • Organization of field days on the demonstration platform (ideally in conjunction with Activity 1.4) on drought-tolerant wheat varieties and oilseeds.

Under Result 4:

  • Establishment of a demonstration platform for the cultivation of millet to illustrate the advantages of millet over maize in terms of feed value and dry tolerance; in cooperation with ICARDA (February and March 2019)
  • Elaboration of a guideline for a forage growing system with a mixed crop of cereals and legumes and millet compared to a forage growing system exclusively with maize with regard to water savings, protein supply and use of natural precipitation in the winter months and resulting cost savings.
  • Training courses for private and public consultants and other multipliers are conducted on the basis of the guidelines.
  • Development of didactic materials for radio, film or brochures to increase the acceptance of millet silage by livestock farmers.
  • Establishment of a demonstration platform for the introduction of a mixed crop of cereals and legumes for fodder production in order to use the winter rainfall for fodder production in cooperation with ICARDA (October and November 2019)

Organisation of field days on the demonstration platforms (set up in Feb/March and in Oct/Nov) for farmers and livestock farmers