Page 32 - AA 2025 Year Book Summary

Mauritania

Advancing sustainable agricultural mechanization

to strengthen national capacities

FAO in collaboration with the Mau- security in alignment with the 2030 na-
ritanian Ministry of Agriculture and tional agricultural strategy.
Food Sovereignty, support agricultural Despite government efforts in ac-
mechanization in Nouakchott, Mauri- quiring tractors and launching training
tania. Funded independently by FAO, programs, challenges persist, includ-
the project “Support the establishment ing high equipment costs, inadequate
of an enabling environment for agri- after-sales services, limited training,
cultural mechanization in Mauritania” and scarce spare parts. FAO continues
aims to enhance national capacities, to provide technical support to ad-
promote sustainable technologies, fa- vance agriculture in Mauritania in face
cilitate access to mechanization ser- force shortages. of these challenges.
vices, and develop a national strategy. Under Prime Minister Mokhtar Ould The Plant Production and Protection
Acting Secretary-General of the Ajay’s leadership, the government (NSP) division at FAO Headquarters,
Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sov- is working to overcome barriers and represented by Mohamed Jadlaoui
ereignty, Mohamed Ould Ahmed achieve food sovereignty, including (Agricultural Engineer) and Karim
Banane, emphasized the workshop’s reducing customs duties on agricultur- Houmy (International Mechanization
role in equipping participants with al equipment. FAO Representative Al- Expert), and Mohamed Elhady Sidatt
modern agricultural skills. He high- exandre Huynh noted Mauritania’s lim- (Agricultural Officer at the FAO Re-
lighted President Mohamed Ould ited arable land (0.5 percent) and low gional Office for Near East and North
Cheikh El Ghazouani’s commitment cereal yields due to traditional farm- Africa), played a vital role in provid-
to sustainable agricultural mechaniza- ing. The 2024 floods further impacted ing technical expertise, strategic guid-
tion, particularly in rain-fed agricul- rice production, increasing reliance ance, and capacity-building support.
ture, as a key driver of productivity on imports. Sustainable agricultural The workshop was attended by sev-
and resource efficiency. Mechanization mechanization is crucial for boosting eral officials from the Ministry of Agri-
also reduces labor intensity, address- productivity, easing labor hardships, culture and Food Sovereignty and oth-
ing youth disengagement and work- creating jobs, and strengthening food er departments and civil society.

Launches Hydro-Agricultural Development Project

The FAO has initiated a major project from this concerted effort to modernize
to modernize hydro-agricultural de- and adapt to changing climate condi-
velopment in the Senegal River Valley tions.
and foster resilience to climate change During the workshop, Karl Morteo
through a comprehensive strategy. The and Gianluca Franceschini, FAO Infor-
inception workshop, held in Boghé, mation Technology Officers, presented
formally launched the project “Techni- FAO Agro-Informatics Platform. ‘This es regional priorities. ‘The exchange of
cal support to the National Society for advanced geospatial technology in- ideas focused on ensuring alignment
Rural Development for the updating of tegrates data collection, analysis, and with local needs and fostering collab-
the master plan for hydro-agricultural sharing to support the project’s goals’ orative partnerships to achieve sustain-
developments in the Senegal River Val- explains Karl Morteo. ‘By enabling the able outcomes’ says Gianluca France-
ley in Mauritania and the development organization and harmonization of local schini.
of a climate investment plan” (TCP/ and geospatial data, the platform pro- Through this initiative, FAO Mauri-
MAU/4001). vides a solid foundation for informed tania aims to enhance its agricultural
This initiative seeks to update the decision-making and effective imple- systems, strengthen climate resilience,
master plan for the region and devel- mentation and we want to promote its and pave the way for equitable and
op a climate investment strategy ex- broad use in Mauritania and world- environmentally sound development.
tending to 2050. It aims to strengthen wide, for common benefits’ he adds.
agricultural productivity, establish The workshop also facilitated in- The workshop represented a key step
sustainable food systems, and address depth discussions among participants, in establishing a unified approach to
environmental challenges critical to the including government officials, local tackling agricultural challenges while
region’s future. As one of Mauritania’s administrators, and agricultural ex- leveraging cutting-edge technologies
key agricultural areas, the Senegal Riv- perts, to ensure the project reflects and fostering inclusive stakeholder en-
er Valley stands to benefit significantly stakeholder expectations and address- gagement.
30 Arab Agriculture 2025