From 14 to 20 December 2025, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) organized a technical study tour to Morocco for a delegation from Oman. The visit aimed to build national capacity in 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. Senior government officials and representatives from private citrus nurseries participated in the tour, which was organized in partnership with Oman’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources (MAFWR) and in close cooperation with Moroccan counterparts. The initiative is part of FAO’s broader efforts to improve horticultural practices, strengthen plant health and food safety systems, and promote high-quality, disease-free planting material.
Morocco was showcased as a regional model for citrus certification. Recognized as one of the leading citrus producers and exporters in the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region, Morocco’s nursery certification and phytosanitary system, overseen by the Office National de Sécurité Sanitaire des Produits Alimentaires (ONSSA), integrates varietal registration, certification procedures, plant quarantine controls, laboratory diagnostics, and traceability mechanisms across the citrus value chain, from propagation to export. The Omani delegation examined Morocco’s institutional, technical, and regulatory frameworks, gaining practical insights that could support Oman’s national citrus development strategy.
The programme included technical meetings with ONSSA and Morocco’s Ministry of Agriculture, field visits to accredited citrus nurseries, plant quarantine services, national diagnostic laboratories, citrus orchards, and packing and export facilities. Participants learned best practices in nursery certification, varietal trueness-to-type, quality control, traceability, laboratory diagnostics, and export phytosanitary certification. The mission also included a courtesy visit to the Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman in Morocco, highlighting the importance of coordination between institutions. The study tour concluded with a technical debriefing session hosted by ONSSA and a joint FAO–government review of key findings, identifying lessons for adaptation in Oman.
The outcomes of the study tour will inform the development of Oman’s national citrus nursery certification roadmap, contributing to strengthened plant health governance, improved productivity, and enhanced market competitiveness. By establishing a structured national certification scheme, the initiative is expected to support resilient and competitive citrus value chains in Oman while reinforcing regional cooperation and knowledge exchange between Morocco and Oman.
This initiative reflects FAO’s commitment to promoting sustainable plant health systems, strengthening regional cooperation, and supporting countries in aligning national practices with international phytosanitary standards. FAO continues to assist Oman and other NENA countries in enhancing crop production systems, strengthening plant health governance, and advancing sustainable agricultural development.
