DR ‹ › Strengthening cooperation in agricultural research, innovation, and strategic value chains was at the center of talks held Wednesday in Rabat between Lamiae Ghaouti, Director of the National Institute for Agricultural Research, and Doug Goehring, Agriculture Commissioner of the U.S. state of North Dakota. The discussions, part of efforts to boost international cooperation in the agricultural sector, explored partnership opportunities between the Moroccan institute and agricultural stakeholders in North Dakota. On this occasion, INRA officials presented the institute's main missions and research programs, focusing on improving agricultural production systems, adapting to climate change, and enhancing natural resources. Doug Goehring highlighted the importance of the visit, noting that it opens «practical prospects» for cooperation. He said the meeting helped identify several areas of collaboration, particularly in agricultural innovation, crop development, and knowledge sharing, expressing his willingness to strengthen ties between agricultural institutions in both countries. For her part, Ghaouti stressed that the visit would further reinforce Morocco–U.S. cooperation in research and development. She noted that discussions also addressed shared challenges, pointing to opportunities for collaboration in conservation agriculture, where North Dakota has advanced expertise. The two sides also explored cooperation in developing and improving resilient crops, particularly barley and durum wheat, including genetic enhancement and valorization. Ghaouti added that an INRA delegation will soon visit North Dakota to advance knowledge exchange and implement the identified partnership tracks. Both parties also reviewed opportunities in technology transfer, training, and expertise exchange, with the aim of modernizing the agricultural sector and strengthening its resilience.
