Moroccan cooperative agricultural research program : project final report

governments from 7/92 to 1/98. The project initiated, expanded, and strengthened cooperative exchanges between its participants, who collaboratively addressed topics of common interest. Placing an equal emphasis on research and development and cooperation, the project helped improve Morocco"s agricultural sector through the introduction of new technology, training, and demonstration. In Israel, research was conducted on a number of topics closely linked to activities in Morocco, such as the development of hybrid tomato cultivars and new open-field ornamentals. Collaborative work conducted in both countries included the commercial production of truffles and the domestication of the Argan Tree (Argania spinosa) as an oil crop. Especially significant is the fact that the project introduced a new partner with Israel and the United States in the Middle East Regional Cooperation Programs. The project also integrated Moroccan private sector interests, which contributed substantial funding to the project, and made efforts to link them to colleagues in Israel and Egypt. An important and very visible element of the program was the residence of an Israeli technical advisor at the research site in Morocco. Also highly visible were the project"s outreach programs, in which Moroccan farmers, agriculturalists, exporters, scientists, faculty, and students interacted with Israeli, Moroccan, and U.S. counterparts. The most significant accomplishment of the project may be the promotion of peaceful and collaborative relationships at various levels under very difficult circumstances. Cooperative exchanges among program participants were conducted at all levels and strengthened the potential for normalizing activities between Morocco and Israel. For example, even though formal diplomatic relations between Morocco and Israel did not exist at the beginning of the program, Moroccan, Israeli, and U.S. government officials worked together to plan the program. Also, Moroccan and Israeli government scientists performed the collaborative research, and institutional representatives, scientists, technicians, and administrators from the three countries met regularly to discuss and report on the program"s progress. Morocco and Israel regularly shared knowledge and exchanged seeds and cultivars. In terms of technology transfer, new cultivars and seeds were made available and new techniques demonstrated to farmers at the Amaris Nursery in Morocco, and a grafting campaign was implemented to demonstrate how to graft commercial varieties of tomatoes and melons onto tolerant rootstocks. These activities are estimated to have reached more than 1,560 farmers. In addition, the project contacted 160 private firms, associations, and export groups, packing stations, and seed distributors, and is believed to have reached 49,000-70,000 others through project information published in the media. Farmers who utilized project-produced products and technologies generally reported increased profits. The Amaris Nursery is expected to be sustainable. Already, the production, marketing, and sales efforts have demonstrated the development of a nursery business that is successful, growing, and significantly benefits the agricultural sector in Morocco by providing quality transplants and new varieties of plants. Also, the nursery continues to produce ornamental plants to support Morocco"s efforts to reforest the desert areas and stabilize the sand dunes. Some important general lessons learned are as follows: (1) A collaborative research program such as this must be of top priority to participating governments, have the patronage of influential political figures, and be long-term in order to allow completion of research and technology transfer. Also, the budget should be large enough to allow participation by the largest possible number of scientists, reduce overhead costs, and produce substantial results. (2) Cooperation between country coordinators is crucial; they should contact each other on a weekly basis and meet 4-5 times per year. (3) Research objectives and topics should be identical for both cooperating countries, but particular topics should target country-specific problems. Collaborative research should be encouraged whenever possible, but may be less appropriate when applied research with an immediate impact is the main concern. (4) The involvement of U.S. institutions is critical at this stage of the peace process. In addition, due to the volatile political situation in the Middle East, and the fact that the region is undergoing a peace process, there should be maximum flexibility in designing the implementation programs. Specific lessons relevant to the Moroccan program are included.