Identifying stakeholders’ interest in saline quinoa farming along value chain in Morocco.

Abstract

Salinity in Morocco deepened by its coastal position and low rainfall amount severe the climate change adaptation and sustainability of the country. This study objectively set to map relevant stakeholder’s interest, networks and possibly their preference in quinoa farming in Morocco. Stakeholder analysis was used to identify the relevant stakeholders along the value chain groups in quinoa farming in Morocco. These farmers were engaged in a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) where exploratory questions were asked using semi structured interview questionnaire. Classic content of the focus group discussions was analyzed in a mixed method approach applying triangulation method. Three value chain groups (Farmers production group, women processing group and the extension agents) were interviewed and their interests varied. The farmers production group’s interest was due to the resistance of quinoa to saline water and the women group was to innovate. However, they all had challenge of low knowledge of the crop while being optimistic that quinoa could salvage the situation on ground. The producers’ groups had no existing networks at the moment because it is a new crop and so no preferences were identified. But the women group already had network. Therefore, knowledge management technologies should be deployed to enhance the production of this adaptive crop to salinity.