AGRIDEA has been mandated by the FAO to support the Moroccan ministry of agriculture in its efforts to establish a recognition system for Geographical Indications. 

With the support of this project the institutional structures were set up: the legislation and by-laws were written and passed into law, the national commission charged with giving an opinion on the recognition of GIs and their codes of practice was formed and trained and a guide for the members of this commission was developed.

Members of the commission and potential certification bodies were trained in the specificities of certification for GIs.

In parallel, three pilot cases were supported for the structuring of the supply chain and the creation of their codes of practice.  At the end of the project (jan 2010), these cases, Olive oil of Tyout-Chiadma (PDO), the lambs of Beni-Guil and the Dates of Mehjoule had either received their protection status or had provided the ministry with 1^st versions of their demands for protection and their codes of practice.  

Training for regional bodies active in rural development was carried out in different regional centers throughout Morocco and a “Guide for applicants” was written.

This project is over.