• About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Subscribe Now
  • Media Kit
Thursday, March 12, 2026
Gulf Agriculture
  • Home
  • News
  • Videos
  • Industry Update
    • Animal Feeds & Nutrition
    • Greenhouses
    • Garden & Landscape
    • Fruits & Vegetables
    • Aquaculture
    • Agricultural Machineries & Equipment
    • Horticulture & Floriculture
    • Fertilizers & Agrochemicals
    • Irrigation
    • Plant Protection & Nutrition
    • Poultry & Livestock
    • Seeds & Nursery
    • Smart Farming
  • Country Update
  • Digital Magazines
    • Publications
  • Events
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Media Kit
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Videos
  • Industry Update
    • Animal Feeds & Nutrition
    • Greenhouses
    • Garden & Landscape
    • Fruits & Vegetables
    • Aquaculture
    • Agricultural Machineries & Equipment
    • Horticulture & Floriculture
    • Fertilizers & Agrochemicals
    • Irrigation
    • Plant Protection & Nutrition
    • Poultry & Livestock
    • Seeds & Nursery
    • Smart Farming
  • Country Update
  • Digital Magazines
    • Publications
  • Events
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Media Kit
No Result
View All Result
Gulf Agriculture
No Result
View All Result
Home News

ICARDA Inaugurates the African Breeding Accelerator in Morocco

by Gulf Agriculture News Desk
10 months ago
in News
ICARDA Inaugurates the African Breeding Accelerator in Morocco
ShareShareShareShareShare

The International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), under the patronage of Morocco’s Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests, officially inaugurated the African Breeding Accelerator in Rabat. This cutting-edge facility is a regional hub for fast-tracking the development of climate-resilient crop varieties tailored to the needs of dryland countries across Africa, where climate extremes, soil degradation, and water scarcity increasingly threaten agricultural productivity and food security. 

Attended by senior government officials, international donors, ICARDA board members, and key partners, the inauguration underscored a shared commitment to strengthening food security and climate adaptation through scientific innovation. The event was also part of ICARDA’s 50th anniversary celebrations.

“This facility is a launchpad for the next generation of high-performing, climate-smart, market-demanded varieties, tailored specifically to African conditions and to the needs of African farmers,” said Dr. Tareq Alzabet, ICARDA Board Chair. “It stands as a testament to what can be achieved when governments, donors, and research institutions come together with a common purpose.”

Developing drought-tolerant and disease-resistant varieties through traditional methods often takes over a decade. The African Breeding Accelerator will slash breeding timelines by up to six years, using advanced speed breeding technologies including high-tech greenhouses, NASA-derived LED lighting systems, and growth chambers that simulate near-continuous daylight. This enables up to five crop generations per year, significantly accelerating the research-to-farm pipeline.

“The accelerator is not just a physical building, it’s a living laboratory of scientific excellence, innovation, and transformation,” said Mr. Aly Abousabaa, ICARDA Director General and CGIAR CWANA Regional Director. “Together with our partners at INRA, we are tackling one of the most urgent challenges of our time: accelerating genetic gains in crops that matter most to smallholder farmers across the drylands.”

The 1,000 m² facility supports up to 150,000 cereal and legume plants at any time, focusing on staple dryland crops including wheat, barley, chickpea, lentil, grass pea, faba bean, and cactus. It also integrates non-destructive nutritional testing using Near-Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy (NIRS), ensuring quality traits meet farmer and consumer needs.

Built with sustainability at its core, the facility is fully powered by solar energy, features water recycling systems for irrigation, and composts all organic waste, setting a benchmark for eco-efficient agricultural research infrastructure.

“As a breeder myself, I know that one of our biggest challenges is time. This accelerator gives us the opportunity to fast-track breeding programs and save years. That’s transformative,” said Pr. Lamiae Ghaouti, Director of INRA.

The platform reflects deep collaboration with Moroccan institutions such as the National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA) and the Moroccan National Office for Food Safety (ONSSA) and leverages regional partnerships to link science directly to farmers. It serves as a cornerstone of ICARDA’s mission to build climate-resilient food systems and improve the livelihoods of rural communities, not only in Morocco but across ICARDA’s focus countries in the region, ensuring that innovations reach the farmers who need them most

 

 

Post Views: 3,905
ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

Pure Breed Highlights Commitment to Industry Collaboration at Middle East Poultry Expo

Next Post

ANDRITZ TO DELIVER COMPLETE FEED PLANT TO ALWADI POULTRY FARMS, SAUDI ARABIA

Related Posts

AGRITX Announces Growth Strategy Following a Seed Funding Round to Scale Avian Nutritional Solutions
News

AGRITX Announces Growth Strategy Following a Seed Funding Round to Scale Avian Nutritional Solutions

March 12, 2026
A Proven Opportunity in Strawberry Cultivation With Indoor-grown Generative Young Plants
News

A Proven Opportunity in Strawberry Cultivation With Indoor-grown Generative Young Plants

March 11, 2026
AGRITECHNICA ASIA and HortEx 2026: Asia’s Leading Agricultural Platform Unveils International Technical Program
Events News

AGRITECHNICA ASIA and HortEx 2026: Asia’s Leading Agricultural Platform Unveils International Technical Program

March 10, 2026
Tallis Amos Group Partners with CultiWise to Deliver AI-Driven Drone Mapping for Smarter Precision Crop Protection
News

Tallis Amos Group Partners with CultiWise to Deliver AI-Driven Drone Mapping for Smarter Precision Crop Protection

March 9, 2026
Global Fresh Produce Trade Weathers The Storm to Spark Unbeatable FRUIT LOGISTICA
Events News

Global Fresh Produce Trade Weathers The Storm to Spark Unbeatable FRUIT LOGISTICA

March 7, 2026
New Holland Officially Launches Its Strategic Partnership With Inchcape Kenya
News

New Holland Officially Launches Its Strategic Partnership With Inchcape Kenya

March 6, 2026
Next Post
ANDRITZ TO DELIVER COMPLETE FEED PLANT TO ALWADI POULTRY FARMS, SAUDI ARABIA

ANDRITZ TO DELIVER COMPLETE FEED PLANT TO ALWADI POULTRY FARMS, SAUDI ARABIA

Divestment of the FoodTech Equipment offering completed

Divestment of the FoodTech Equipment offering completed

Agricultural Intelligence at the heart of the Animal Farming Community

Agricultural Intelligence at the heart of the Animal Farming Community

Latest Edition

BROWSE BY CATEGORIES

  • Agricultural Machineries & Equipment
  • Animal Feeds & Nutrition
  • Aquaculture
  • Country Update
  • Editor's Pick
  • Events News
  • Fertilizers & Agrochemicals
  • Fruits & Vegetables
  • Garden & Landscape
  • Greenhouses
  • Horticulture & Floriculture
  • Industry Update
  • Irrigation
  • Media Kit
  • News
  • Plant Protection & Nutrition
  • Poultry & Livestock
  • Seeds & Nursery
  • Smart Farming
  • Sponsored News
  • Video
Gulf Agriculture

Gulf Agriculture is the highest circulating Agriculture Magazine in the Middle East.

Follow us on social media:

Recent News

  • AGRITX Announces Growth Strategy Following a Seed Funding Round to Scale Avian Nutritional Solutions
  • A Proven Opportunity in Strawberry Cultivation With Indoor-grown Generative Young Plants
  • AGRITECHNICA ASIA and HortEx 2026: Asia’s Leading Agricultural Platform Unveils International Technical Program
  • Tallis Amos Group Partners with CultiWise to Deliver AI-Driven Drone Mapping for Smarter Precision Crop Protection

Category

  • Agricultural Machineries & Equipment
  • Animal Feeds & Nutrition
  • Aquaculture
  • Country Update
  • Editor's Pick
  • Events News
  • Fertilizers & Agrochemicals
  • Fruits & Vegetables
  • Garden & Landscape
  • Greenhouses
  • Horticulture & Floriculture
  • Industry Update
  • Irrigation
  • Media Kit
  • News
  • Plant Protection & Nutrition
  • Poultry & Livestock
  • Seeds & Nursery
  • Smart Farming
  • Sponsored News
  • Video

Recent News

AGRITX Announces Growth Strategy Following a Seed Funding Round to Scale Avian Nutritional Solutions

AGRITX Announces Growth Strategy Following a Seed Funding Round to Scale Avian Nutritional Solutions

March 12, 2026
A Proven Opportunity in Strawberry Cultivation With Indoor-grown Generative Young Plants

A Proven Opportunity in Strawberry Cultivation With Indoor-grown Generative Young Plants

March 11, 2026
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Subscribe Now
  • Media Kit

© 2026 Gulf Agriculture

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Videos
  • Industry Update
    • Animal Feeds & Nutrition
    • Greenhouses
    • Garden & Landscape
    • Fruits & Vegetables
    • Aquaculture
    • Agricultural Machineries & Equipment
    • Horticulture & Floriculture
    • Fertilizers & Agrochemicals
    • Irrigation
    • Plant Protection & Nutrition
    • Poultry & Livestock
    • Seeds & Nursery
    • Smart Farming
  • Country Update
  • Digital Magazines
    • Publications
  • Events
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Media Kit

© 2026 Gulf Agriculture

Subscribe to our newsletter and online magazine

Subscription Form FG