Mohamed Bouzgga

Moroccan agricultural innovator who developed drought-resistant crops for North Africa

Mohamed Bouzgga (1922-1970) revolutionized farming in arid regions through his work with crop genetics. Born in Marrakech, he studied agronomy in Algiers before returning to Morocco in 1948. Witnessing crop failures during the 1950s droughts, he dedicated himself to creating drought-resistant strains of barley and wheat.

Working with local farmers, he developed the Bouzgga 12 barley variety which thrives with 30% less water - a breakthrough still used across the Maghreb region. His Institut Agronomique Mohamed Bouzgga trained thousands of technicians in sustainable farming. His 1965 book Agriculture Without Rain became a foundational text for dryland farming.

Bouzgga's methods reduced famine occurrences in Morocco by 70% during his lifetime. Modern genetic studies confirm his varieties contain unique drought-resistance genes (Nature Communications 2022). His legacy is preserved at the Marrakech Agricultural Heritage Museum, where his original seed samples are stored. Current climate models show his work remains critical for adapting to desertification trends.