Nine medium-term research projects have been selected by the Regional Centre for Agricultural Research (CRRA), falling under the INRA of Meknes for the 2013-2016 period. These projects concern the improvement of the olive sector through the selection of high-performance genotypes, the optimisation of cultivation techniques and the upgrading of professional organisation, the improvement of the productivity of intensive fruit rosaceae (apple, apricot, almond, plum, peach, pear) and the analysis of aggregation models, the development of high-performance genotypes of fig, carob, and walnut, the intensification of the productivity and sustainability of the cereal sector, or even the improvement of the productivity of annual crops in rotation with cereals (broad beans and field beans, oilseeds, fodder, market gardening) in their agricultural production systems in the Saïss. The other research projects relate to the development of agricultural vocation maps, soil fertility and crop fertilisation, the analysis of policies, strategies, production systems, and means of existence in mountain areas, the contribution to the development and promotion of local products, as well as the promotion of the achievements of agricultural research through research-development, technology transfer, and information-communication activities in the CRRA of Meknes' area of action. "The promotion of the achievements of agricultural research will, as is traditional, account for a significant part of our interest, through research-development, technology transfer, and information-communication activities in the CRRA of Meknes' area of action. By choosing to centre research work around priority sectors for the centre's area of action, our research work is, de facto, inscribed in an effective contribution to the realisation of the objectives of the Regional Agricultural Plans of Meknes-Tafilalet, Fez-Boulemane, and Taza-Taounate-Al Hoceima," explains Mohammed El Asri, head of the CRRA of Meknes. As for the centre's research orientations for the 2013-2016 period, they concern the integrated management of fruit arboriculture and olive growing, the sustainable intensification of field crops and the diversification of cropping systems, the management of natural resources and dynamics of mountain areas, as well as the promotion of research achievements for the improvement of the productivity of production systems in the centre's area of action. Furthermore, genetic improvement, the creation and selection of varieties adapted to the biotic and abiotic constraints of the environment are research axes that remain priority at the level of the CRRA of Meknes, both for annual crops (cereals and crops in rotation with cereals) and for fruit trees (olive, fruit rosaceae, fig, walnut, and carob). According to Ali Mamouni, a researcher at the CRRA of Meknes, great interest is also given to cultivation techniques which include plant protection, fertilisation, and irrigation. "The integrated protection of main crops, plant biodiversity, notably medicinal and aromatic, the diversification of production, the adaptation of crops to the rain-fed cropping system (resistance to water stress), the improvement of the quality of the agricultural product, and studies of the physical environment (soil fertility map) are also capital areas of intervention for the researchers of the CRRA of Meknes," he adds. It should be noted that socio-economic studies, which require considerable interest within the CRRA of Meknes, cover several aspects in relation to the different sectors, agricultural labour, and the dynamics of human and institutional development of mountain rural areas in particular. Biotechnology tools (molecular marking, in vitro culture), the conservation of phytogenetic resources, and the use of information technologies are also increasingly used in the centre's research programmes.

-* Nine medium-term research projects have been selected by the Regional Centre for Agricultural Research (CRRA).

-* The projects concern the improvement of the olive sector, the improvement of the productivity of fruit rosaceae, fig, carob, and walnut.

-* The intensification of productivity and the sustainability of the cereal sector are at the heart of the research plan.