Overview
Several Moroccan regions (those with INRA laboratories, science faculties, or autonomous labs) have prioritised scientific research as a way to combat the effects of climate change, the overuse and depletion of natural resources, and the collateral damage brought on by agricultural industrialization. This is done in order to protect the resources that already exist, rationalise their usage, and create new crops and kinds.
The Green Morocco Plan (PMV), which is tasked with allocating funds to make bioresources a cornerstone of growth and resource diversification, assuring sustainable development, has made this a priority as well. To assure resilient, sustainable, and competitive agriculture, agropoles, regional centres for agronomic research, national institutions for agronomic research, public and autonomous labs are operating. Hundreds of researchers are also coming up with answers to issues harming the environment, animals, plants, water supplies, and more.
Biotechnology in Agriculture
Biotechnology has been used to alter living or non-living elements for the creation of goods and innovation in this quest for wholesome, competitive, and sustainable agriculture, the bioresource. The numerous scientists and researchers who took part in the first colloquium on bioresources, which just ended in Oujda, described it as a partnership that benefits the study of living things, technological advancements in genetics, biochemistry, microbiology, biophysics, molecular biology, and computer science.
Applications of so-called green biotechnology in agriculture include, among other things, enhancing commercially significant plant species, raising productivity, creating new products (plant factories), and creating new sources of energy. The Moroccan economy will grow sustainably and rapidly as a result.
What benefits do biotechnology-based solutions provide?
According to Aouatif Bousrhal, head of the university campus for technology transfer and expertise in Oujda, "biotechnological solutions, optimised and adapted to the conditions of each region, will provide added value to agricultural products and protect consumers and the environment."
Agriculture makes up a significant portion of the economy, accounting for 40% of jobs and 15% of GDP. Additionally, it is starting to gain from developments in numerous agricultural sectors, which have improved profitability.
Implementing this strategy, however, is complicated by the marketing of bulk, unprocessed products, losses from post-harvest modifications, and health risks associated with chemical (pesticides, mycotoxins, antibiotics, heavy metals, hydrocarbons...) and microbiological (Salmonella, Listeria, E. coli, Staphylococcus, Bacillus, yeasts, moulds...) contaminants (PMV). This has detrimental effects on all of the stakeholders in this industry, including the environment and the firm, farmer, and consumer.
Finally
To manage food microbiology, food chemistry, soil fertilisation, water depollution, and to combat pesticide and heavy metal residues, numerous experiments have been launched. Biotechnology is also being used to produce water-efficient and natural component-rich economic products, safeguard consumer health, enhance performance, and respect the environment.
