{"id":298292,"date":"2021-09-09T11:43:16","date_gmt":"2021-09-09T14:43:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/anba.com.br\/?p=298292"},"modified":"2021-09-10T15:48:23","modified_gmt":"2021-09-10T18:48:23","slug":"brazils-embrapa-talks-cooperation-with-moroccan-institute","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/anba.com.br\/en\/brazils-embrapa-talks-cooperation-with-moroccan-institute\/","title":{"rendered":"Brazil\u2019s Embrapa talks cooperation with Moroccan institute"},"content":{"rendered":"

S\u00e3o Paulo \u2013 Brazilian state-run agricultural research agency Embrapa is talking with Morocco\u2019s National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA) to develop a partnership. The heads of both agencies had two meetings earlier this year to learn in which areas there could be more synergy for the agreement. The topics under negotiation include exchange of genetic material of cultures such as wheat, soil and fertilizer management, and agricultural zoning. Pictured, Moroccan woman works sifting the wheat from the chaff.<\/em><\/p>\n

The next meeting, which will take place between researchers from both institutions, is scheduled to late September. \u201cWe\u2019re talking and drafting what we could do together,\u201d Embrapa R&D advisor Alexandre do Amaral said in a telephone interview with ANBA.<\/p>\n

The agreement will delve into three areas of cooperation between Brazil and Morocco. The first one regards soil and fertilizer management. \u201cBrazil consumes a good deal of fertilizers, and so does Morocco, but they produce a lot of phosphorus. It\u2019s a major nutrient used in agriculture, so our dependence on them is very heavy. We want to understand how they deal with fertilizers and other nutrients there,\u201d said the advisor.<\/p>\n

Another topic is the exchange of genetic material. \u201cBrazil is becoming a world reference in tropical wheat, which is traditionally grown in cold regions. Brazil is one of the three top wheat importers, but it could be a major exporter. Embrapa has developed a series of technologies with wheat. And Morocco also produces it but in colder regions. The idea is exchanging materials to see which one could adapt better in Brazil and in Morocco,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n

And finally, the work with Embrapa encompasses the Climatic Risk Agricultural Zoning (ZARC). The project developed by Embrapa divides the Brazilian regions and points out which ideal areas and periods for growing each culture. \u201cBy using the information of the zones, you know where and when to plant certain cultures . The banks now use this public policy to provide credit for the Brazilian farmers. And Morocco is a country with very high diversity, too, so they\u2019re interested in having a program like this,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Here’s more on Morocco:<\/em><\/p>\n