As part of a major regional program
Yields »
The overall objective is to promote the adaptation of agriculture to climate change and the recurrent droughts experienced by Morocco, in particular the region.
Direct seeding has proven itself as an innovative agricultural technique designed to improve crop yields, while helping to prevent soil erosion and preserve water resources. It is in this context that the Regional Center for Agronomic Research (CRRA) in Tangier has just organised, on Thursday 26 January, a day of information and awareness of good practices for “the control of weeds in the direct sowing of cereals and legumes in the province of Larache”.
Led by a team of researchers and specialists in the field, this day, which took place in collaboration with the regional management of the National Office of Agricultural Council (ONCA) of Tangier-Tétouan-Al Hoceima, more precisely in the rural commune of Ayacha, has benefited regarding thirty farmers in the region.
“Weed control is of great importance for cereal and legume crops,” said Dr. Badr Hajjaj, head of the research and development department at CRRA Tangier.
A significant proliferation of this undesirable flora, according to the speaker, mortgages crop yields since it competes for water and fertilizer resources that are generally limited. “Furthermore, these weeds hamper the harvesting operation and depreciate the quality of the harvested seeds”, said Mr. Hajjaj, before adding that this control is particularly important under the no-till system where “tillage, which contributes to the control of undesirable flora, is strictly prohibited”.
The organizers took this opportunity to highlight the importance of the direct seeding technique with the aim of promoting the adaptation of agriculture to climate change and the recurrent droughts experienced by Morocco.
“The research work of the National Institute for Agronomic Research (INRA) has shown the many virtues of direct seeding on the soil resource, including the preservation of humidity, protection once morest erosion and the improvement of fertility and structure,” said Dr Mouad Chentouf, head of CRRA Tangier. Thanks to all these advantages, direct seeding occupies, he said, an important place in the “Green Generation 2020-2030” strategy, with the establishment of a major direct seeding program at the national level. Which program aims “to reach an area of one million hectares under direct seeding by 2030 across Morocco”, said Dr Chentouf, noting that during this year 2023, “the CRRA of Tangier contributes to this program at the regional level by providing technical support and by providing farmers in the region with suitable seed drills”.