EVENT: STAPLES PLENARY MEETING
November 5, 2024 – half-day plenary meeting of the STAPLES project

The first half-day plenary meeting of the STAPLES project convened on November 5, gathering project partners to discuss key project elements. The meeting aimed to finalize detailed definitions of target countries, primary crops, and value chain stages and refining data collection methods.

Key Crops and value chain stages

Central to the STAPLES initiative is the selection of the most relevant cereal crops in terms of energy intake and import volume, which turned out to be wheat, rice, maize, and barley. Additionally the project will consider industries that compete with cereals production in terms of water use in Morocco and Egypt. The meeting also outlined the value chain focus areas, covering both upstream input, such as fertilizers and seeds, and downstream activities.

Data Collection Strategies

Additionally, data collection efforts will incorporate both quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews. Collaborative efforts with local organizations, particularly in Morocco and Egypt, will facilitate fieldwork and engagement of local stakeholders.

Next Steps

The meeting concluded with a detailed action plan for the upcoming months, targeting the refinement of data collection processes and finalization of crop selection.

With strong coordination among European and MENA-region partners, the STAPLES project continues to build on its objectives to bolster agricultural resilience and address critical food security challenges in North Africa and the Middle East.