The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) organized a technical study tour to Morocco from 14 to 20 December 2025 for a delegation from Oman. The visit aimed to build national capacity for citrus nursery certification and plant health systems under FAO Project UTF/OMA/023/OMA, which supports the production of certified citrus planting material in Oman.

Organized in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources (MAFWR) of Oman and in close cooperation with national counterparts in Morocco, the study tour brought together senior government officials and representatives of private citrus nurseries. The initiative is part of FAO’s broader efforts to help Members improve horticultural practices, strengthen plant health and food safety systems, and promote the production of high-quality, disease-free planting material.

Morocco as a regional model for citrus certification

Morocco is recognized as one of the leading citrus producers and exporters in the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region. Its citrus nursery certification and phytosanitary system, overseen by the Office National de Sécurité Sanitaire des Produits Alimentaires (ONSSA), is among the most advanced in the region. The system integrates varietal registration and certification procedures, plant quarantine controls, laboratory diagnostics and traceability mechanisms across the citrus value chain, from propagation to export.

During the mission, the Omani delegation examined Morocco’s institutional, technical and regulatory frameworks, gaining practical insights into approaches that can be adapted to support Oman’s national citrus development strategy.

The programme included technical meetings with ONSSA and the Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests, as well as field visits to accredited citrus nurseries, plant quarantine services, national diagnostic laboratories, citrus orchards and packing and export facilities. These exchanges highlighted best practices in nursery certification, varietal trueness-to-type, quality control, traceability, laboratory diagnostics and export phytosanitary certification. The programme also included a courtesy visit by the delegation to the Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman in Morocco, highlighting the importance of coordination and cooperation between institutions.

The study tour concluded with a technical debriefing session hosted by ONSSA, followed by a joint FAO–government session to review key findings and identify practical lessons for adaptation in the Omani context.