Moroccan-Chinese agricultural cooperation probed

Ways to upgrade Moroccan-Chinese cooperation in the sector of agriculture are being probed this week in Rabat at talks between visiting Chinese vice-minister of agriculture, Liu Jian and Moroccan officials.

Liu Jian conferred with minister of agriculture and rural development, Ismail Alaoui, and minister in charge of water and forests, Hassan Maaouni, on cooperation in struggle against erosion and desert encroachment, reforestation, flora and fauna protection and fish farming.

Talks focused on the protection and promotion of forest resources and the two sides agreed to trade experts and information on reforestation techniques and struggle against desert encroachment, to conduct joint research and to exchange plants that struggle against soil erosion.

Exchange of expertise in matters of biotechnology and bio-diversity was also decided.

China has recently donated Morocco agricultural machinery worth $ 350,000 and in the frame of struggle against the drought affecting Morocco. China also donated the kingdom $ 1.2 million for the purchase of soft wheat.

Moroccan-Chinese agricultural cooperation is ruled by several accords.