Rabat – The Al Moutmir initiative, backed by UM6P and the OCP Foundation, has revealed impressive outcomes from its Demonstration Platforms (PFDs) for cereals and pulses during the 2024/2025 farming season.
These results were presented today at the 17th Al Moutmir Open Innovation Lab, held at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) in Benguerir and virtually, with approximately 70 participants, including farmers, researchers, agronomists, and agricultural officials.
This season, 1,102 demonstration platforms were established across 24 provinces and 120 communes, directly benefiting 275 farmers and providing training and digital tools to over 3,000 others.
The platforms function as "open-air laboratories," enabling farmers to test innovative techniques, compare them to traditional methods, and assess their impact on crop performance, according to the report.
Despite facing challenging weather conditions—including a prolonged drought from September to February followed by limited spring rainfall—the results were positive. The PFDs reported average yield increases of 21% to 23% in cereals compared to traditional fields. Pulses, such as lentils and fava beans, saw yield improvements of 26% to 33%, while direct seeding practices yielded up to 20% more productivity than conventional methods.
Additionally, the program boosted farm income, with profit margins 33% to 54% higher than those from traditional farming, achieved through better fertilizer use, efficient water management, and precise pest control.
Al Moutmir collaborates closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and its agencies, such as the National Office of Agricultural Advice (ONCA). The program seeks to link science and innovation with farmers to help address challenges such as climate change, water scarcity, and food security.
The Demonstration Platforms are grounded in four main pillars: soil-based fertilization, integrated crop protection, efficient water management, and customized solutions for each crop.
Farmers involved in the program shared their success stories. For example, in Beni Mellal, farmer Hicham Sabiri credited soil analysis and the @tmar app with helping him improve yields and combat crop diseases.
Tarek Abdo from Sidi Kacem reported harvesting 32 quintals of wheat per hectare using direct seeding, compared to just 26 quintals in his traditional field. In Khemisset, Abdelkrim Anouini achieved 4.8 quintals per hectare of lentils, a significant improvement from previous seasons, thanks to technical support and optimized fertilization.
The Open Innovation Lab also addressed future challenges and opportunities, including sustainable farming under Morocco’s "Green Generation" strategy, the role of crop diversification, the potential of new seed varieties, and opportunities for carbon capture.