Morocco and France sign 22 deals covering infrastructure, energy, education, and agriculture

28.10.2024 475 views

The deals, signed under the chairmanship of the two heads of State, show that both countries share the same resolve to strengthen a partnership that translates into concrete projects covering railways, renewable energies, green hydrogen, ports, education, culture, agriculture and farming.

High-speed trains made by French Alstom will be supplied to Morocco to extend its high-speed railways south to Marrakech. The deal includes 12 confirmed trains and 6 optional ones.

The two countries also signed a financial cooperation deal in the railway sector and an assistance contract between the Moroccan railways office ONCF and the SYSTRA/EGIS company.

ONCF also signed an agreement to acquire rail material from VOSSLOH COGIFER.

In the aerospace industry, the Moroccan government and SAFRAN signed an agreement to build a maintenance and repairing site for aircraft engines for an investment worth nearly €130 million.

Under an agreement in the field of green hydrogen, the Moroccan government will allocate an area to Total Energy.

The two governments also agreed to cooperate in the energy sector and convened to set up an investment accelerating facility worth 3 billion dirhams.

They also signed an agreement to develop cooperation in civil protection and the fight against wildland fires.

During the same signing ceremony, ADF vowed to loan Morocco €100 million destined to water management. The two countries also agreed to promote cooperation in the agricultural sector.

In the field of education, an agreement was sealed to promote excellence in training, support technical education sectors, strengthen the network of French educational institutions in Morocco, contribute to the teaching of the Arabic language in France, and boost inter-academic partnerships.

An MoU was also signed on the creation of an African-oriented French-Moroccan Research Center (CRFM).

This center, the first of its kind in Africa, will be dedicated to training, research and innovation in cutting-edge fields: artificial intelligence, Big Data, cyber security, renewables, hydrogen and human and social sciences, as the two countries also agreed to promote cultural cooperation.

During the same event, the OCP Group and the French Development Agency (AFD) agreed to cooperate in the field of decarbonization in a deal worth €350 million.

OCP also signed a Joint Development Agreement with ENGIE within the framework of a partnership in energy transition.

As part of Morocco’s renewable energy projects, EDF won a contract to expand its Taza wind farm.

In the field of port management, the CMA CGM Group, the world’s third-largest shipping company, and TANGER MED signed an agreement to develop a container terminal in Nador West Med.

 

Source - https://medafricatimes.com

16.04.2026

USA - Forecast Performance of RMA Expected Yields: Comparison of Yield Projection Methods

Building upon the analyses discussed in the Farmdoc Daily articles of Jan. 27, 2026 and April 1, 2026, this study finds that the current method used by USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) provided the least accurate projection of actual RMA county yields across the five crops and four projection methods examined in this study. 

16.04.2026

Philippines - DAR orients agrarian beneficiaries on crop insurance

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) facilitated an orientation workshop for the agrarian reform beneficiary organizations (ARBOs) from the provinces of Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands to strengthen their access to crop insurance and equip them to become authorized underwriters of the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC). 

16.04.2026

Estonia - AgriFi Brings Agricultural Real-World Assets On-Chain with $AGF on Polygon

Agriculture remains one of the largest and most complex industries in the global economy, contributing over $3 trillion annually to global GDP and supporting the livelihoods of billions of people worldwide, according to data from the Food and Agriculture Organization and World Bank.

16.04.2026

USA - Aid Available for Nebraska Wildfire Victims

Just over one month ago, Nebraska experienced the worst series of wildfires in history, burning nearly 950,000 acres. Since then, assistance for farmers and ranchers affected has been rolling in.

16.04.2026

Thailand - Storm batters Si Sa Ket durian orchards, losses hit B39m

A summer storm caused extensive damage to durian plantations in Kantharalak district, toppling hundreds of trees and wiping out tonnes of Thailand’s economic crop just days before harvest, local officials said on Thursday.Following the storm, district chief Somkuan Singkham ordered an urgent survey in tambon Phu Ngern, where strong winds and thunderstorms hit five villages, damaging durian orchards belonging to 110 farmers.The affected fruit is a geographical indication (GI) product known as “Sisaket Volcanic Area Durian,” grown in Khun Han, Kantharalak and Si Rattana districts. Popular varieties include Monthong, Chanee and Kanyao, prized for their creamy texture, mild aroma and relatively dry flesh.

16.04.2026

Cropshader approved for organic farming in Europe

Cropshader, developed by Lumiforte, has been verified as suitable for use in organic farming under the control of Ecocert in Europe. The product complies with the requirements for inputs used in organic production in accordance with applicable European regulations.

15.04.2026

USA - Federal aid programs aim to help Southeast Texas farmers recover from losses

Southeast Texas farmers grappling with crop losses due to extreme weather are turning to federal aid.

15.04.2026

India - Landowners waive lease payments after crop damage

Farmers with large landholdings are doing their part to ease the burden on small and marginal farmers whose crops were damaged by the April 4 storm.