Morocco, Australia sign research deal to support climate-resilient farming

MOROCCO – Morocco has signed a new research agreement with Australia as it seeks stronger support to help farmers cope with years of drought and falling output.

The National Institute for Agricultural Research, known as INRA, and the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research signed a memorandum of understanding on February 10 in Rabat.

The deal sets a clear plan for joint research, training, knowledge exchange and innovation focused on climate-smart agriculture.

Officials say both countries face similar dry conditions and can learn from each other. “This agreement will help us strengthen applied research and support farmers who face growing climate stress,” a Moroccan official said during the signing ceremony in Rabat.

Focus on climate-smart farming

The partnership falls under the Africa-Australia programme for climate-friendly agriculture, which started in 2025. The programme has a budget of A$76 million (about US$53 million), over six years. It supports research and development in four countries in North and West Africa, including Morocco.

Under the new agreement, researchers from both sides will design joint projects and run training sessions for scientists and technicians. They will also share field data and test farming methods suited to dry areas.

Australia brings strong experience in dryland agriculture. Despite frequent droughts, it remains a leading wheat producer and exporter. Data from the Food and Agriculture Organization show that Australia ranked as the world’s sixth largest wheat producer between 2021 and 2023, with an average harvest of 34.2 million tonnes.

During the same period, it exported nearly 27 million tonnes of wheat each year, making it the third largest exporter after Russia and the European Union.

Morocco’s urgent need

Morocco hopes this cooperation will help protect its cereal and livestock sectors, which drought has hit hard for seven straight years. Wheat dominates local cereal farming and supports millions of rural households.

Official data show that cereal production dropped by 42 percent to 3.3 million tonnes in the 2023 to 2024 season, the lowest level on record. The country also lost 38 percent of its cattle and sheep herd between 2016 and 2025.

“We need practical solutions that match our climate reality,” another official said. “Working with partners who manage similar conditions gives us a real chance to improve resilience on the ground.”

Through this new agreement, Morocco aims to strengthen research links and give its farmers better tools to cope with a harsher climate.

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