The Moroccan government council officially endorsed the creation of the Polytechnic School of Agronomic and Life Sciences in Agadir on June 25, 2026, through the approval of Bill 040.26. This legislative move reflects a long-standing ambition to establish an educational institution commensurate with the economic weight of the Souss-Massa region, which stands as Morocco's leading agricultural export hub.
Under the auspices of the Generation Green Plan 2020-2030, this initiative aims to enhance agricultural education in a region responsible for 90% of the country’s fruit and vegetable exports. Morocco ranks as the fourth-largest tomato exporter globally, yet it has lacked a significant agricultural training facility. The new school is set to transform the existing Agadir Horticultural Complex, founded in 1980, into a prestigious institution that will not only increase its student capacity from 500 to 1,000 by 2030 but also produce 100 doctoral researchers.
The Agadir Horticultural Complex will serve as the foundation for the new school, effectively bridging its existing programs and student base with enhanced resources and curricula. Graduates from this complex have already made remarkable contributions to the local economy, with many securing employment even before graduation. In fact, around half of the region's fruit and vegetable exports are attributed to former students who have transitioned into successful entrepreneurs.
Transforming Agricultural Education in Souss-Massa
The goal of the Polytechnic School is not merely to create an institution from scratch, but to build on the existing success of the Agadir Horticultural Complex. The new school will offer advanced programs in aquaculture and veterinary medicine, aligning its curriculum with international standards. A partnership has already been established with the University of Las Palmas in Spain, allowing veterinary students to receive instruction in Spanish for the first two years before completing their degrees in Las Palmas. This program will ensure that students are well-prepared for the global agricultural landscape.
To maintain the highest academic standards, the school will implement rigorous hiring criteria for its faculty, with a minimum requirement of 100 scientific publications per instructor. This commitment to excellence is further supported by an extensive network of over 70 international experts who will contribute to the school's objectives. The ultimate aim is to position the Polytechnic School among the top ten agronomic institutions worldwide by 2030.
Innovative Agricultural Practices and Sustainable Solutions
Technological advancement will play a crucial role in the school’s operational framework. Currently, local farms produce an average of 140 tons of tomatoes per hectare using passive plastic greenhouses, which are susceptible to external temperatures, leading to significant yield losses during colder months. The new institution plans to introduce climate-controlled greenhouses designed in the Netherlands, capable of boosting production to 1,000 tons per hectare. This pilot project will not only serve educational purposes but also enhance commercial production capabilities.
Water management is another focal point of the school's mission. The Agadir region currently disposes of 80 million cubic meters of wastewater into the ocean annually. By treating and recycling this water, the school aims to irrigate 15,000 hectares of greenhouses at a cost significantly lower than desalinated water, thereby promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
In conclusion, the Polytechnic School of Agronomic and Life Sciences in Agadir is poised to address the structural imbalances in Morocco's agricultural sector by fostering a research-oriented educational environment. This initiative aims to equip the region, which has been nourishing Europe for four decades, with the scientific capital it has long lacked.
As reported by medias24.com.
