1. Current status of ICT structure and applications existed to manage and
disseminate information on Knowledge of agricultural biotechnology innovation
information in Morocco
Workshop on Agricultural biotechnology for Knowledge
sharing in NENA Region
Cairo Egypt
2-4 July 2012
Mr Otman Sebbata IT Specialist
Coll: Dr Driss IRAQI Biotechnologist/ Mrs Fatima Gaboune Biometrist
Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique
(INRA) Rabat, Morocco.
3. List of Content:
1 Background 1
2 Biotechnology in Morocco 1
2.1 Institutions involved in biotechnology:
2.2 INRA as a leading Institutions in Biotechnology:
2.3 Collaboration and partnerships:
3 ICT infrastructure and Capacity 2
3.1 Hardware
3.2 Software
3.3 Bioinformatics Unit:
4. Information systems 2
5 Policy and strategies: 3
5.1 The Moroccan Constitution 2011
5.2 E-Morocco 2010:
5.3 Use of Standards
5.4 IPR issues in information management
6 Contents 4
6.1 Genebanks:
6.2 Information on Projects
6.3 Research results:
6.3 Research results
6.4. News and Events
7 ICT applications: 5
7.1 Biotechnology Management Tools
7.2 Web application tools on biotechnology
8.Information and communication channels: 6
9.Information and communication services: 6
0.1 Institutional website:
9.2 International websites:
9.3 Thematic Specific websites
9.4 Bibliographic databases
9.5 Extension and advisory information
9.6 Market information
10. Conclusion: 6
11. References 8
Checklist for availability and accessibility of agricultural
biotechnology research outputs 9
4. 1. Background:
Agriculture plays a major economic role in Morocco. It accounts for 19 % of total GNP
with 15% from agriculture and 4% from agro-industry. 80% of the 14 millions rural
populations depend on revenues from the agricultural sector.
Biotechnology is a national priority for Development of Science and Technology. It
improves food production (Quantity & Quality) to to meet the National demand due to
the increasing population, to manage the problems of biotic and abiotic stresses, to
assist the breeding programs, and Characterize and add value to the local biodiversity
2 Biotechnology in Morocco
Started in 80’s with the use of plant tissue culture technique as a tool in crop
improvement program
2.1 Institutions involved in biotechnology:
1. The National Institute of Agricultural Research “INRA” which is leading
national research organization in agricultural biotechnology in
Morocco with a network of 10 Regional Research Centers and
23 Experimental stations
2. The Hassan II Institute of Agronomy & Veterinary medicine: IAV,
3. The National College of Agriculture of Meknès: ENA Meknes
4. Water and Forest Administration: CNRF
5. Faculties of Sciences and Technology: FST
6. Private companies producing at a large scale banana, date palm,
strawberry and potato in-vitro planting materials.
7. Professional associations to promote contacts and interactions between
biotechnologists through workshops and similar activities
2.2 INRA as a leading Institutions in Biotechnology:
INRA has developed capacities and capabilities in agricultural biotechnology research in its
regional centers.
Marrakech: Development of Date palm tissue culture propagation methods
Errachidia: Large scale Date palm micropropagation using developed Tissue culture
methods set in Marrakech to meet the increasing demand (3,212,000 of total demand for
plantlets in 2007)
Kenitra: Genetic diversity and studies on tissue culture of citrus
Settat / Meknes: Application of Molecular marker for wheat breeding
Rabat: A new strategy was elaborated to integrate biotechnology as major tools in
agricultural research (genetic crop improvement programs, tissue culture, molecular markers
Gene Cloning and Characterization and genetic transformation of plant, food
Microorganisms Molecular characterization)
2.3 Collaboration and partnerships:
Collaborative research programs with NARS (IAV, ENAMeknes and
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5. Universities) and with IARCs (ICARDA, IAEA, IPGRI, ICGEB, ASTF, European
commission) and NARS in countries (France, USA, Italy, Belgium, Portugal …etc)
A consortium between Moroccan NARS (INRA / IAV and ENAM) was set aiming in
the biotechnology field to develop a joint biotech lab for collaborative programs for
effective use of local expertise and available resources within the consortium
Biotech networks in Morocco are means for collaboration between NARS
3 ICT infrastructure and Capacity
3.1 Hardware
ICT infrastructure is evolving steadily. “INRA” have made very important progress in the use of
information technology. Over 450 of desktop computers are currently installed, most of which are of last
generation but some are of old generations (Intel Pentium 4- based). Most scientists have their own The Pcs
are running with mixture of windows XP, Vista and Win 7
Servers are mostly based in central sites. They are using windows server NT, 2000 and 2003. In addition
Linux and HP-UX are also used for internet services management.
3.2 Software
For desktop applications, MS office is widely used. INRA research centers and biotech research Unit are
equipped with PCs using biotech specific software and DTP tools ( Data acquisition hardware, Computer,
peripherals, and applications software (word processing, spreadsheets, DBMS, and Statistical packages);
PCs are networked to small and medium LANs with access to the Internet (20 Mo Leased Line in Rabat
and DSL ranging from 8 to 20 Mo in all regional Centers)
3.3 Bioinformatics Unit:
The major focus of the bioinformatics unit is to develop information management systems
using available tools that provide the required data capture, storage query and access
interfaces to meet the demands .
Managed by a biometric specialist with a bioinformatic background
Mission: supporting the work done by the biotech research unit in Rabat.
Provided with PCs equipment under Windows and linux OS and applications tools (DTP,
Statisitcal packages and specific biotech softwares) with access to the Internet.
Helping biotech and non biotech researchers to design their research protocols in addition to
searching biotech databases (NCBI, Swissport, Unipro) and processing their collected data
(statistical analysis)
The Bioinformatics Unit is hosting students from Moroccan Universities who develop
application tools used in bioinformatics
4. Information systems
Information systems is a set of applications to support the major functions and activities of
NARS . With the advent of Internet, Websites are becoming the basis of any information
systems for information management and communication
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6. Moroccan NARS websites started in late 90’s with a descriptive html file related to the
institution mission and organizational chart and evolved in the last decade to integrate more
complicated systems. We no longer talk about website but portals with thematic and regional
websites.
The used Content management system CMS , is enabling any user with an account to
collaborate and make update in specific webpages. In addition to management of information
workflow and life cycle.
So far, existing websites are not numerous in biotechnology, but this aspect can be found in
a category or some thematic databases in the following list of Moroccan websites:
List of websites:
Name URL
The Ministry of Agriculture and fisheries(Dept
www.madrpm.gov.ma
of agriculturel
The National Institute of Agricultural Research www.inra.org.ma
webagris.inra.org.ma :120/agris
www.pgrfa.org/gpa/mar/welcome.htmx
The Hassan II institute of
Agriculture and Veterinary Science
www.iav.ac.ma
The Hassan II institute of
Agriculture and Veterinary Science: the
School of Horticulture in Agadir
www.iavcha.ac.ma
The National School of Agriculture
in Meknes
www.enameknes.ac.ma
Water and forestry CNRF http://www.eauxetforets.gov.ma/
The Moroccan association of Bioinformatics www.smbi-maroc.org/ www.smbi.ma
5 Policy and strategies:
5.1 The Moroccan Constitution 2011:
The new Moroccan constitution (2011) in its article 27, stressed that Citizens have the right
to access information held by public authorities, elected institutions and bodies invested with
a public service. This objective is opening access to information. Decision makers became
more receptive to information sharing and are boosting access to information through
networks and portals;
5.2 E-Morocco 2010:
An ambitious project “E-Morocco 2010” was launched in 2005 to set up a knowledge
economy and reduce digital divide:
· Content development: Avail a Moroccan content : structured, useful, updated and
adapted to targeted users needs;
· Strengthening ICT infrastructures in terms of offered capacity and improve the quality
of services ;
· Training based on profiles needs ;
· Internet access: simplifying and generalization of access to internet;
· ICT Industry: development of national productive and competitive ICT industry;
· Tele-service: Development of call centers and offshore zone with ICT activities.
3
7. 5.3 Use of Standards :
standards are being used in order to facilitate information exchange with regional and
international information systems (FAO, ICARDA …)
5.4 IPR issues in information management :
Concerns different aspects most important are patents, PVR (plant variety right and the
copyright)
Plant variety right (Official Catalogue)
INRA used to register its released varieties in the Moroccan PVR (Official catalogue). In
2011, many varieties were registered regarding wheat, Bean, citrus tree, date palm and other
fruit trees.
Some royalties are obtained from the released varieties to Private sector
Patent: INRA already signed agreement with the Moroccan patent office
ww.ompic.ma and have registered some patents (including one in 2009 regarding
biotechnology). It was agreed that at least, 10 patents will be registered annually.
In order to encourage researchers to be more innovative, a percentage of the benefit needed to
be shared. This issue is pending and the Researchers’association is trying to submit a
memorandum to convince Decision makers to share part of the benefits recovered from
royalties with researchers.
6 Contents
6.1 Genebanks:
National Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Morocco Genebank
· based at INRA Settat, developed for medium and long term conservation and
utilization of plant genetic resources (4500 species of higher plants of which about
200 species are considered as rare or threatened) . It
· serves as a national repository for the collection of over 47000 germplasm
accessions of different species.
· The collection serves as insurance against genetic erosion and as a source of
resistance to diseases and pests, tolerance to climatic and other environmental
stresses, and improved quality and yield traits for crop improvement.
· Application softwares : model used at genetic resources unit of ICARDA; and GRIS
developed by IPGRI
· Information is accessed locally for collection management purpose
Plant genetic resources database related to plant genetic resources (The World
information sharing mechanism on the implementation of the global plan of action (GPA) for
plant genetic resources for food and agriculture: with participation of major NARS institutions
(INRA, IAVHII, ENA Meknes )
Information is accessed on the Net: www.pgrfa.org/gpa/mar/welcome.htmx
6.2 Information on Projects:
Information on on-going projects related to biotech is made available on the net
www.inra.org.ma
4
8. 6.3 Research results:
Made of Posters, presentations on workshops and publications in books and papers in
journal are partly managed in bibliographic databases that comply with agris standards
http://webagris.inra.org.ma:120/agris
In addition, Patents: some findings results are patented and can be accessed via patent
offices (www.ompic.ma and http://www.cipo.ic.gc.ca )
Eg.: Biological control by the strain of mucl 47354 pichia guilliermondii diseases of post-harvest
registered in 2007 registered at the Moroccan patent office www.ompic.ma Patent
number :ma 30121 b1 date: 02.01.2009
Process for brewer's yeast debittering registered at the Canadian patent office
Patent number:[45] : 5,716,653 date of patent feb. 10, 1998
6.4. News and Events: Published on the net through institutional Websites
7 ICT applications:
7.1 Biotechnology Management Tools:
Thanks to collaboration with IARCs (ICRISAT) some management tools are being tested for
further implementation
1. Crop management information systems : integrated crop information system linking
molecular, phenotypic and pedigree data.
2. Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) : designed to automate the
sample workflow associated with molecular marker genotyping
3. Integrated Marker-Assisted Selection System iMAS : a single unified computing and
decision support platform to facilitate identification of trait-linked markers for use in
marker-aided selection and breeding
IMAS tool is currently used at the bioinformatics unit to analyze and process data
collected by INRA’s Researchers.
7.2 Web application tools on biotechnology
Developed by Post graduate students for their Msc thesis projects. Six Web application tools
so far developed on sugar beet, potatoes, grapevines, food legumes and cereals)
These tools provide access to a thematic databank (data on genomes downloaded from
int. Database) and are used to input data on Moroccan crop genomes. Those tools will be
installed on a server and used at local level by INRA’s researchers
Eg. Grape genome analysis: SSR identification and related Primer design
Used for searching for SSR or Short Sequence Repeat (SSR) in the entire genome of
grape (Vitis vinifera), and design of SSR markers for identifying genes or screening for
disease such as mildew and fan leaf virus
Grape genome consists of 190 contigs,
2,745,612 SSR. Of Microsatellites grape genomes
Used Tools:
NCBI (National Center for biotechnology information database
5
9. MISA (Microsatellite) algorithm for SSR identification
programming SSR research
Use of Primer3 for Primer PCR identification
Perl program for scripts
Activeperl interpreter for Perl script running
PHP language for web bioseq design
Mysql as DBMs and Apache as web server
8.Information and communication channels:
Informal channels:
Invisible college: interaction between researchers from different institutions at national or
international levels
Formal channels:
· On site visits for students/and scientists
· Workshops, and fairs
· Scientific Meetings
· Institutional Publications in different format (annual report, papers, books, leaflets, flyers etc)
· Field demonstrations and farmer field school (FFS)
9.Information and communication services:
Information related the agricultural biotechnology is delivered through different
9.1 Institutional website:
· Information of research projects
· List of Publications (books and journals)
· News and events
9.2 International websites:
· Data on Moroccan crop genomes is input in international websites (NSBI)
9.3 Thematic Specific websites:
GPA website : The World information sharing mechanism on the implementation of the
global plan of action (GPA) for plant genetic resources for food and agriculture: with
participation of major NARS institutions (INRA, IAVHII, ENAmekens
www.pgrfa.org/gpa/mar/welcome.htmx
9.4 Bibliographic databases : INRA made use of WebAGRIS tools to publish on the Net its
Reference database with links to full text (journal papers) webagris.inra.org.ma:120/agris
9.5 Extension and advisory information:
INRA is collaborating to the production of an extension journal (190 issues) coordinated by
the Directorate of Training and Research . Journal issues are on the net
www.vulgarisation.net/bulletin.htm
9.6 Market information:
A national website dedicated to market information was launched by the ministry of
agriculture http://www.marocagriculture.com/maroc-agriculture/la-bourse-agricole
10. Conclusion:
NARS in Morocco have invested and set consortiums for research collaboration in order to
initiate joint projects. Due to lack of awareness and limited number of skilled human
6
10. resources in ICT and ICM, information and knowledge in biotechnology has to be
strengthened by the use of existing tools that are commonly used and available at IARCs. In
addition, the use of tools on institutions, expertise and projects at national and regional level
will promote partnership at bi and multi lateral levels and will help to fulfill requirements and
conditions set by sponsors for projects submission.
7
11. 11 References
Iraqi, D., Thami Alami, I., Abbad Andaoussi, F., Sripada M. UDUPA
(2007) Agricultural Biotechnology Research In Morocco in: Regional Agricultural
Biotechnology Network Expert Consultation Meeting 15-16 December Cairo-Egypte
Iraqi, D. (2007) Biotechnology Research In Morocco sauvegarde ): 8p.
Rchok Fatiha , Mojemmi, S. (2010) Développement d’outils Bioinformatiques pour
L’automatisation de l’analyse du génome de la vigne Et du développement des
microsatellites. (Msc Thesis) Faculté des sciences, Rabat, 94 p.
Ministry of Industry Trade and new technologies (2007) E-Morocco Strat&égy:
Accomplishments, Perspectives and Action plans, 33 p. available at:
http://www.abhatoo.net.ma/index.php/Maalama-Textuelle/D%C3%A9veloppement-
%C3%A9conomique-et-social/D%C3%A9veloppement-social/Information-et-communication/
Politique-d%27information/E-Morocco-2010-Strategy-Accomplishments,-
Perspectives-Action-Plans-Towards-building-our-information-and-knowledge-society
Sebbata, O. (2011) The Status of Data and Information sharing in Morocco
In: International Expert Consultation on “BUILDING THE CIARD FRAMEWORK FOR
DATA AND INFORMATION SHARING” Beijing, China 20-23 June 2011
INRA (2012) INRA Annual report 56 Available at:
http://www.inra.org.ma/def.asp?codelangue=23&info=1171&rub=1097&rub1=&men=1
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12. Checklist for availability and accessibility of agricultural biotechnology research outputs
Checklist Items
1. Ensure that your
research outputs are
available digitally
· Are all types of document/object being captured? If not what is
being captured and what is not, and how were decisions made on
what types of content to capture?
Decision makers are pushing toward digitizing research outputs. The
Awamia journal and most of scientific books are on the Net
webagris.inra.org.ma/doc
· Does the organization’s digitization program include older
documents that were originally produced in pre-digital formats (e.g.
print on paper)?
· Does the organization have a formalized, managed system for this
data capture as part of an overall digital strategy?
· INRA made investment for required material used for EDM
· Why did the organization decide to go ahead with the program of
digitization?
· The new director is boosting access to INRA information material in
electronic format backed by the new constitution
· What was the impetus for this? INRA is not making benefits on
selling publications. Information can be valued through electronic
media
2. Develop institutional
or thematic
repositories of your
outputs as open
archives.
· Did the organization (or network) develop a policy which governs all
aspects of the repository’s activity – what types of information is
captured in it, how long it is kept there, what formats the data must
be in, quality control, copyright control, and so on? There is no policy
which governs the aspects of repository’s activity. So far, Published
information (institutional journals and books ) are being captured
· Is usage of the repository (documents deposited, hits, downloads,
etc) being assessed in a planned way that allows informed decisions
to be made on how to manage it and develop it further? If so – how
much use? Not yet
· How much content is currently available, and at what rate is content
being added? Over 50 % of official publications are being digitized
· How were the decisions taken as to what types of content would be
held in the repository, and who took them? The Directorate of
information and communication is in charge providing means to host
repository
· Was the concept of ‘open’ information accepted by everyone, or was
this an area of disagreement? What were the arguments for and
against it? Researchers are not keen to collaborate. More recently,
an invitation letter was sent to all researchers to invite them to
collaborate in the process of developing a virtual library by sending
their research report in electronic format. Only few ones sent their
publications.
3. Use international
metadata standards,
data exchange
protocols and
agricultural
vocabularies and
thesauri.
· Would a brief explanation of the source/owner of institutional
repository used would be useful? We will be using Agris standard
4. Develop a clearly · Are the researchers encouraged to publish their work with publishers
9
13. Checklist Items
defined licensing
policy for your outputs
who are either open access publishers, or who allow the author
flexibility in the deposit of the work in open access repositories? As
well as the publishers is very notorious and will help researchers to
be cited internationally
5. Optimise the structure
and the content of
your web sites for
search engines.
· What type of methods have been used? Not yet undertaken but we
are registered in the google account and have statistics on the use
of our website
6. Share your metadata
by participating in
international
information systems
· Are the researchers encouraged to publish their work in open access
journals? Not all of them
· Are the researchers encouraged to publish their work in journals
which are part of collections which are freely available, or available
at low cost, to researchers in developing countries e.g. AGORA,
PERii, etc? WE are thinking of submitting our journal to be
accessed through agora and listed in the DOAJ
· If there is not a policy in place to encourage researchers to publish in
open access and other ‘high visibility’ places, why not? Who would
need to be a champion for this policy for it to be implemented? Think
will take time to happen. It is not easy to change attitudes and
behaviour
· Are the research outputs of the organization indexed by, or included
in, international databases such as AGRIS or CAB Abstracts? Yes in
the CABI (Morocco was a member)
· Does the organization submit research outputs for aggregation by
the major international databases? If not, why not? Who would need
to champion this cause to make it happen? It used to be with AGRIS
during the 80’s
7. Use 'social
networking' media
and applications to
share your outputs.
The use of social network media for sharing research outputs in the
institutions is implemented? So far, INRA registered and publish its
content in Youtube, Twitter. Slideshare will also be used.
8. Build formal and
informal networks to
repackage your
outputs.
organization has/has not skilled staff to transform scientific information
into different forms which can be used by other stakeholders, or the
general public. Interfacing the research results is not an easy task. Every
research center is provided with R&D unit which collaborate in the
repackaging process to make scientific results into ready made product
Did you have formal arrangements for repackaging research outputs
through certain department? Did the arrangements among others
include using TV and videos, audio and newspapers for communicating
research outputs on a weekly basis in addition to using community
based meetings and events to disseminate the repackaged content on a
monthly basis or whenever possible. The Directorate of information and
communication is in charge of that. It is the INRA spokesman and in the
interface between press media and the research units
10
