On 2-3 April, I had the privilege of attending a multi-stakeholder workshop organized by ICARDA in Rabat focused on exploring how Morocco’s animal feed sector can become a powerful driver of inclusive economic growth.

The workshop brought together 55 participants from diverse backgrounds, including representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Justice, National Agency for the Promotion of Employment and Competencies (ANAPEC), Office of Cooperative Development (ODCO), National Office for Agricultural Advice (ONCA), private sector actors, digital companies, NGOs, and entrepreneurs. It was a unique opportunity to share perspectives and exchange expertise across sectors, all working toward a common goal.

At the heart of our discussions was a key question: how can we unlock the potential of the animal feed value chain to create sustainable job opportunities, particularly for young women, with a target of up to 70% inclusion?

A Collaborative Approach to Value Chain Development

We worked in groups to analyze key segments of the sector:

• Forages
• Concentrates
• Alternative feeds
• Digital solutions

These sessions were highly engaging and insightful. They allowed us to identify both challenges and opportunities within each value chain while benefiting from the diverse expertise in the room.

From Dialogue to Action

Beyond discussions, the workshop aimed to move toward concrete action by identifying:

• Vulnerable women who could benefit from targeted interventions, creating two personas of the women who can potentially be in the field with specific needs and challenges related to creating digital solutions.
• Priority regions for implementation by identifying marginalized communities in the 12 regions of Morocco.

These reflections are expected to contribute to the development of a large-scale initiative designed to generate employment opportunities and strengthen the sector in a sustainable way.

A Valuable Exchange for a Shared Vision

For me, this workshop was more than just a meeting. It was a meaningful space for collaboration and learning. It was a great privilege to engage with such a diverse group of stakeholders, exchange knowledge, and contribute to shaping a high-impact project.

This experience reaffirmed the importance of collective efforts and innovative thinking in addressing development challenges and creating inclusive opportunities across Morocco.