This week, beginning May 23, Salicrop joined other leading Israeli and Moroccan companies for the Morocco-Israel: Connect to Innovate forum in Casablanca, Morocco. This unique 3-day event brought together leaders in innovative technology from the two countries, with the goal of strengthening relations between the two countries through cooperation and collaboration in key areas with shared interests such as water technology, agri-food tech, and sustainable development.
In a pre-recorded speech at the closing ceremony, Israeli president Isaac Herzog described the conference as the beginning of a greater cooperation, envisioning a “new reality in food… agriculture… and more.”
Alongside companies, the event highlighted speakers and representatives from both governments, including Morocco’s ministers of trade, transport & logistics, and H.M. the King's Advisor, André Azoulay. Salicrop took part in events such as business sessions, networking meetings, and workshopping. Speaking at the concluding ceremony, Mr. Azoulay praised the Israeli tech sector as a source of inspiration that he hopes can “change lives” with Moroccan collaboration.
SaliCrop CEO Carmit Oron and Ghita Mezzour, Moroccan Minister of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform at #connecttoinnovate.
Salicrop presented its unique solution for epigenetic seed enhancement and its relevance to Morocco’s current climate challenges. The Moroccan agriculture sector makes up about 15% of the country’s GDP, and combined with fishing and forestry, employs almost half of Morocco’s workforce. Positioned in northwest Africa, Morocco is highly vulnerable to many different climate impacts, including coastal flooding and drought.
Salicrop CEO Carmit Oron presents Salicrop's technology to attendees at the summit.
Increasing temperatures and rainfall patterns will create increased risk for drought and low water availability. Already, 160,000 hectares of arable land are salinized, and by the end of the century this figure is expected to increase. Similarly, rising temperatures are projected to decrease yearly rainfall by up to 30% by 2100, resulting in a decrease in crop viability and production.
SaliCrop’s technology can help mitigate these impacts by increasing crop resistance to both drought and water salinity, alleviating water stress while simultaneously increasing crop yield, including in semi-arid communities vulnerable to food insecurity.
Avi Hasson, CEO of StartUpNation Central, addresses the #connecttoinnovate forum in Casablanca.
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