A new milestone has been reached in the modernization of Morocco’s agricultural sector. The National Office for Agricultural Advisory Services (ONCA) and the General Directorate of Meteorology (DGM) signed a strategic framework agreement on Friday in Meknès, aimed at strengthening and developing agrometeorological services through the State Climate Network (RCE).

Initialed on the sidelines of the 18th edition of the International Agricultural Show in Morocco (SIAM), this agreement is part of a broader effort to digitalize and optimize climate data for the benefit of farmers. The signing took place in the presence of the Minister of Agriculture, Ahmed El Bouari, and was formalized by Hicham Rahali, Director General of ONCA, and Mohamed Dkhissi, Director General of Meteorology.

This strategic partnership provides for the integration of ONCA’s automatic weather stations into the RCE, enabling smooth and secure sharing of meteorological and climatological data. The Office will make nearly one hundred stations available to the network, contributing to the enrichment of national databases.

Beyond data sharing, the agreement also covers equipment maintenance and calibration, ensuring the reliability and accuracy of the information collected, in line with international standards set by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

In a statement to the press, Hicham Rahali emphasized that this initiative aims to improve the quality of agricultural advisory services by relying on reliable and up-to-date agrometeorological data. For his part, Mohamed Dkhissi highlighted the strategic importance of the RCE, describing it as a national platform for data pooling, ensuring centralization, sustainability, and data sovereignty.

Thanks to this agreement, ONCA will benefit from expanded access to validated and controlled data, promoting the development of innovative services tailored to farmers’ needs. The use of new technologies will also help optimize metadata management and strengthen public decision-making support.

Held under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the 18th edition of SIAM runs until April 28 in Meknès under the theme: “Sustainability of animal production and food sovereignty.”