Ferguson College of Agriculture

Meryem Maatougui is a graduate student from Morocco and an agricultural engineer from the National School of Agriculture (ENAM) who specializes in soil, and techniques of plant production.

 

Previously, Maatougui completed her undergraduate studies in Morocco, and after graduating, she worked for three years at the University Polytechnic Mohamed VI (UM6P) as a research engineer.

 

“During my time at UM6P, I had the opportunity to meet Dr. Steve Phillips, who was working for the African Plant Nutrition Institute (APNI),” Maatougui said.

 

Through working in the same building, they began collaborating on a proposal focused on wheat and precision agriculture, which was a joint effort between APNI and UM6P. 

 

“It was during this collaboration that Dr. Phillips suggested I pursue a Ph.D. at Oklahoma State University,” she said.

 

Maatougui’s dissertation is titled: “Elaboration of a model for wheat yield prediction using machine learning techniques, climate, and soil data for Oklahoma, Morocco, and Tunisia and the evaluation of NDVI response index consistency under different precision agriculture tools,” and she is advised by Dr. Brian Arnall.

 

Her research project focuses on using the regional wheat data of many years to predict the yield using the nitrogen (N) applied for wheat during the growth, the NDVI value during the wheat growth (Feekes 3-6), climate data and machine learning. 

 

“My second project is about the consistency of the response index NDVI values over the Greenseeker, the drone, and satellites,” she said.

 

Growing up in Morocco, she witnessed firsthand the challenges farmers face from unpredictable weather to limited resources. 

 

“My passion for precision agriculture stems from a deep desire to improve farming practices and boost food security,” Maatougui said.

This inspired her to pursue a career that could make a real difference in agriculture. 

 

“For instance, wheat is a principal food in Morocco, where we produce almost 50 percent of what we consume and import the remaining 50 percent,” Maatougui said.

 

“This reliance on imports significantly impacts our GDP. By predicting yield more accurately, we can apply nitrogen fertilization more effectively, benefiting farmers in Oklahoma, Morocco, and other countries.”

 

Oklahoma State University was the perfect place for Maatougui to achieve her goals, she said. At OSU, she is able to access precision agricultural tools that allow her to work on what she is passionate about. 

 

“Dr. Arnall has provided everything I need to succeed—from guidance to resources,” she said.

 

Maatougui’s favorite aspect of graduate school is the continuous learning, the supportive academic community, and the chance to make a difference in the world of agriculture. Upon graduation, her plan is to return to Morocco and apply the knowledge and skills she has gained to improve agricultural practices there. 

 

“In the long term, I aspire to pursue a career in teaching and research, sharing my knowledge with the next generation of agricultural scientists and developing innovative solutions to farming challenges,” she said. After working in Morocco, she is open to going international and exploring more opportunities. “I am excited about what lies ahead and look forward to a fulfilling career dedicated to education and innovation in agriculture.”

 

Something about Maatougui that might surprise others is that she can speak four languages. 

 

“This skill has not only helped me connect with diverse communities, but also enriched my understanding of different cultures,” she said.