In Memoriam: ICARDA Board Member Dr. Mohamed Badraoui

ICARDA is saddened by the loss of our Board Member, Dr. Mohamed Badraoui, who passed away on April 5, 2019. We mourn the loss of a respected colleague and friend.

Dr. Badraoui has been an invaluable member of ICARDA’s Board since 2012 and brought with him a deep understanding of agricultural science and sustainable development. He served as the Board’s Vice-Chair for many years, relinquishing that role only at the end of 2018.  When unrest made it necessary for ICARDA to relocate from Syria in 2012-2013, Dr. Badraoui played an essential role in facilitating the support of the Government of Morocco so that ICARDA could continue a large part of its research from Morocco. 

Dr. Badraoui held a doctorate in agronomic sciences from IAV Hassan II in Morocco, and received his second doctorate in soil chemistry, mineralogy and fertility from the University of Minnesota in the United States.

Since 2008, Dr. Badraoui served as the Director General of Morocco’s National Agronomic Research Institute (INRA) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Fishery.

Prior to that he was director of combating desertification and nature protection with the High Commissariat for Water, Forest and Combating Desertification in Morocco, and professor of soil science and land management at the Institute of Agronomy and Veterinary Sciences at the Ministry of Agriculture. From 2002 to 2007, he served on the Committee of Science and Technology of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification.

Throughout his tenure, Dr. Mohamed Badraoui was a truly tireless supporter of ICARDA’s mission. 

Dr. Mohamed Badraoui will be missed terribly and ICARDA will be forever indebted to him for his leadership and support. ICARDA sends our warmest thoughts and deepest condolences to Dr Mohamad Badraoui’s family and friends in Morocco and around the world.