MOROCCO AGRIBUSINESS PROMOTION PROJECT

The project's objective is to increase the contribution of the private and commercial sector of agribusiness to the GDP, foreign exchange earnings, employment, and income. The project's focus is on enhancing the capacity of the private sector to produce, process, and market a wide variety of agricultural products with high demand and added value. The project will concentrate on the following sub-sectors: fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, processed fruits and vegetables, spices and essential oils, olives and olive oil, legumes, cut flowers and ornamental plants, fresh grapes, raisins, and wines, and other products to be defined in agreement with the AID. Activities related to the production, processing, and export of citrus fruits will require prior authorization from the AID. The project will consist of four main components: promoting agribusiness products, investment, and commercialization, particularly export commercialization; improving the investment climate by making practical recommendations to the Moroccan government for policy and regulatory changes; strengthening the organization of the sector and supporting institutions to improve efficiency and competence; and developing human resources to enhance the human capital required by the agribusiness sector. The project will develop and strengthen the capacity of Morocco to provide training and applied research adapted to the needs of the agribusiness sector. The project will reinforce the capabilities of the Hassan II Agronomic and Veterinary Institute (IAV) in these areas. Activities planned within the different components of the project include promoting agribusiness products, investment, and commercialization, improving the investment climate, strengthening the organization of the sector, and developing human resources. The project will assist the Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform (MARA) in strengthening its capacity to follow domestic and foreign markets in terms of regulation and information through the recently created cell. The MARA will receive computer equipment and training to establish an operational information system on markets and to improve the database on agribusiness held by the MARA. The services of the Direction of Vegetable Production (DPV) involved in the project will benefit from specialized training and the provision of appropriate equipment. The project will provide the two complexes of the Hassan II Agronomic and Veterinary Institute, located in Rabat and Agadir, with state-of-the-art equipment for transformation and conditioning to facilitate research and development. The publication of the results of applied research carried out using these new installations will stimulate private sector activities in terms of laboratory analysis, management, commercialization, and other support services. The project will assist the Direction of Vegetable Protection, Technical Control, and Fraud Repression (DPVCTRF) and the Autonomous Establishment of Coordination and Control of Exports (EACCE) in providing technical assistance and training to familiarize them with American and international practices and principles. The project will also provide assistance to the Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform (MARA) in strengthening its capacity to follow domestic and foreign markets in terms of regulation and information.