Kenitra INRA Demosite Visit, AI Course, and Stakeholder Meeting

On February 13th, a team from the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), including Pau Fonseca, Olga Lucia Sánchez, and Jordi Morató, traveled to the INRA Demosite in Kenitra. At the INRA Institute in Kenitra, Pau Fonseca conducted a course on Artificial Intelligence (AI). After lunch, an stakeholder meeting was developed with 6 relevant stakeholders from Morocco.

The session began with an introductory lecture on AI fundamentals for the WEFE Nexus, held from 9:00 to 10:30 AM. The key topics covered included:

• General Applications of AI

• Modeling using System Dynamics Language (SDL): Developing the Conceptual Model

• SDLPS and Computerized Modeling: The NECADA System.

After the introduction, the INRA and UPC teams visited the demosite to explore its facilities and ongoing projects. The visit provided an opportunity to observe firsthand the implementation of AI-driven solutions for the WEFE Nexus and discuss potential areas for collaboration.

Below are some highlights from the visit, along with a selection of photos capturing key moments.

Following lunch, a stakeholder engagement session was held with six key representatives from Morocco’s water, energy, and agricultural sectors. This meeting provided a valuable opportunity to align the SureNexus project’s objectives with local priorities, fostering dialogue with influential stakeholders to enhance the initiative’s impact and relevance in the region.

Following lunch, a stakeholder engagement session brought together seven key Moroccan representatives from the water, energy, and agricultural sectors. This meeting provided a valuable opportunity to align the SureNexus project’s objectives with local priorities, fostering dialogue with influential stakeholders to enhance the initiative’s impact and relevance in the region. The participants included the following sectors:

A) Irrigation Company

B) Mulching Experts

C) Conservation Agriculture (ONCA)

D) Drone Technology Providers

E) Agricultural Advisers

F) DigiCrop Technology – Ladybird Sensors Used in Demosite (TerraFirm Company, Morocco)

G) Provider of Pesticides & Seeds / Member of the Moroccan Conservation Agriculture NGO

To kick off the Stakeholder Meeting, Dr. Rachid Mrabet delivered an overview of the SureNexus project, highlighting the key issues and objectives for the stakeholders in French. Following his introduction, each stakeholder shared insights into the challenges and goals within their respective sectors.

Morocco’s agriculture faces a severe seven-year drought—the worst in decades—drastically reducing cereal production and livestock numbers while straining water reserves, with reservoirs like Al Massira nearing depletion. Rising costs of supplies, such as fertilizers and fuel, compounded by a 15% food inflation rate in 2022, challenge farmers already grappling with global market volatility. Limited access to modern training further hampers adaptation to climate-smart practices. National goals include bolstering water security through desalination and dam projects, promoting drought-resistant crops, and expanding farmer education to build resilience.

The Kenitra session reinforced these priorities, fostering innovative solutions through AI and stakeholder input.