Morocco projects to launch international campaign to save palm trees
Morocco, Agriculture, 11/19/1998

Morocco is endeavoring to have all partner and friendly countries and international organizations to support its program to save palm trees in its Saharan and sub-Saharan regions, Moroccan agriculture minister said.

The Moroccan minister held on Monday in this regard a meeting with French environment and territory development minister, Dominique Voynet. The Moroccan official surveyed the critical situation of palm groves in Morocco, threatened by drought, desert encroachment and diseases and informed the French official on the Moroccan plan to save palm trees.

He said the plan seeks to consolidate and support research programs on the selection of varieties, the fight against diseases, the increase of in-vitro plants, consolidate the technology transfer and improve production and marketing conditions to upgrade the competitiveness of dates on international markets.

He also dwelt on the economic, cultural, environment and social importance of oasis as a national and international legacy that perpetuates marks of the humans' original and creative relationships with their natural environment and priceless teachings on life in community and on solidarity.

He conceded that Morocco's efforts to protect oasis need substantial financial means.

The minister is visiting since Monday France, heading a delegation comprising representatives, agriculture professionals and executives from his department. He co-chaired on Tuesday with French peer, Jean Glavany, the closing of the Moroccan-French joint agriculture commission.

Previous Stories:
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  Morocco hosts fifth International Agriculture Fair   (9/17/1998)
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