Morocco’s Al Moutmir programme yields promising results in boosting cereal production
Wheat and barley yields rose 21–23% on demonstration sites compared with traditional plots.
Morocco – Morocco has reported encouraging outcomes from the Al Moutmir programme, an initiative supported by OCP Group and Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) in a significant step toward reducing its dependence on imported cereals.
Demonstration plots established under the programme have increased wheat yields by more than 20 percent, even during a year characterized by severe drought conditions.
With over 600 plots emphasizing direct seeding, the initiative emerges as a critical test case for scaling climate adaptation measures.
Institutionally, it receives support from the Ministry of Agriculture, the National Office of Agricultural Council (ONCA), provincial directorates, and OCP’s agronomic expertise.
Earlier this month, UM6P organized the 17th Al Moutmir Open Innovation Lab, where stakeholders reviewed findings and explored strategies for national-level implementation.
As one of the world’s largest wheat importers, Morocco typically produces less than half of the grain it consumes, rendering it vulnerable to fluctuations in supplies from the Black Sea region and France.
Erratic rainfall has adversely affected recent harvests, compelling the government to allocate substantial resources to secure imports following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which disrupted global markets.
The Al Moutmir programme deployed 1,102 demonstration platforms across 24 provinces during the 2024-25 agricultural season, comprising 876 sites dedicated to cereals and 226 to legumes.
These platforms function as open-air laboratories, evaluating customized fertilizers based on soil analysis, integrated pest management strategies, and direct seeding techniques. The latter, which preserves soil moisture, aligns closely with Morocco’s Green Generation plan for sustainable agriculture.
The results point to significant progress. Wheat and barley yields rose 21–23% on demonstration sites compared with traditional plots, while legumes such as lentils and chickpeas gained 26–33%. Direct seeding boosted productivity by roughly 20% against conventional sowing.
Programme data shows margins on Al Moutmir plots outpaced conventional fields by 33–54%, thanks to higher output coupled with more efficient use of fertiliser and other inputs.
“Thanks to the demonstration plot on soft wheat and the guidance of Al Moutmir engineers, I discovered the benefits of tailored fertilisation. The digital app also helped me identify diseases early, which saved my crop,” said farmer Hicham Sabiri from Beni Mellal
Beyond yield enhancements, the programme serves as an educational platform. It directly engaged 275 farmers, with an additional 3,000 reached through field schools, workshops, and digital resources. Mobile soil laboratories and the Smart Blender fertilizer mixing system have bridged the gap between research and practical application.
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