Strengthening National Sovereignty in a Changing World
On Tuesday, Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch addressed the parliament, emphasizing that Morocco is currently navigating significant international transformations that necessitate the reinforcement of national sovereignty across various vital sectors. He highlighted that this focus has been a top priority for the government since the beginning of its mandate, aligning with the royal directives from the monarchy. Akhannouch pointed out that Morocco's emerging status as a rising regional power, actively engaged on the international stage, brings forth new challenges, particularly the need to ensure the country's independence in strategic areas. He noted that the government has learned valuable lessons from recent global crises, which have accelerated reforms related to national sovereignty.
Innovative Solutions for Water Management and Agricultural Stability
In this context, the Prime Minister stressed that water management has been one of the first urgent projects requiring immediate intervention. He assured that the government has been careful to avoid politicizing this issue, adhering to royal guidance, and has implemented urgent programs and exceptional measures alongside a long-term strategic plan to prevent the recurrence of past discrepancies. Akhannouch mentioned that the government is actively working on the royal directives related to the national drinking water supply and irrigation program, recalling the significant water connection project between the Sebou basin and the Abir Raqraq, which he described as a major challenge, given that over ten million citizens were at risk of water scarcity. He proudly announced that this project was completed within a record time and at a reasonable cost, thanks to the mobilization of Moroccan expertise. He also highlighted the importance of the connection project between the Dar Khroufa dam and the Oued Makhzen dam, which is expected to supply drinking water and irrigate over 21,000 hectares.
Akhannouch confirmed that the ongoing challenges posed by drought and water scarcity have compelled Morocco to adopt innovative solutions, particularly the desalination of seawater. The production capacity for desalinated water is projected to increase significantly from approximately 46 million cubic meters in 2021 to over 415 million cubic meters by 2026. This progress is exemplified by the operationalization of the Agadir desalination plant, along with projects in Safi and Jorf Lasfar, and ongoing work at the Dakhla and Casablanca plants. Regarding dam construction policy, the Prime Minister noted that seven major dams have been completed in a short period, with a storage capacity of around 1.7 billion cubic meters, expected to irrigate more than 100,000 hectares benefiting approximately 120,000 farmers, including 20 percent of smallholders. Additionally, he pointed out that 13 major dams are under construction with a total capacity nearing 4.7 billion cubic meters, assuring that these projects are under daily government monitoring and that the work pace will continue vigorously despite the exceptional rainfall experienced this year, to ensure water security for drinking, agriculture, and various productive sectors.
On the agricultural front, Akhannouch emphasized the critical role of agriculture in the national economy, highlighting its contribution to employment, food security, and direct connections to rural stability, as well as its impact on the gross domestic product. He noted that the sector has been significantly affected in recent years due to consecutive drought years, estimating losses at around 40 million working days over five years. However, he expressed optimism as agricultural dynamics are reportedly reviving, with forecasts indicating that agricultural GDP could reach 130 billion dirhams by 2026, compared to 120 billion dirhams in 2021. He attributed these results to the ongoing implementation of the Green Generation strategy, which focuses on human resources and the creation of a middle-class farming sector capable of stabilizing rural areas and providing decent living conditions. This strategy aims to provide agricultural land to youth, targeting one million hectares by 2030, along with offering incentives and financing for young farmers to launch their projects and developing agricultural training systems.
Furthermore, Akhannouch discussed the launch of several solidarity agricultural projects aimed at enhancing existing achievements and creating new, innovative, and sustainable initiatives, stressing that all these measures aim to strengthen Moroccan agriculture, support rural communities, and ensure economic and social stability for farmers. In related remarks, the Prime Minister acknowledged that six consecutive years of drought have had a direct impact on the national livestock and shepherds, insisting that this is a climatic and economic reality that should not be exploited for political gain. He explained that the government has urgently intervened, under royal directives, to preserve the remaining livestock before launching a new program in 2025 to rebuild the national herd. He stated that the total cost of this program is estimated at around 13 billion dirhams, aimed at restructuring the national herd, providing direct support to herders, alleviating debt burdens, and ensuring health and veterinary supervision for the sector. Concluding his address, Akhannouch reaffirmed the government's awareness of the challenges still facing the national market and emphasized that they are addressing these issues with responsibility and urgency, devoid of any political calculations, to protect livestock farmers, restore balance to the sector, and ensure stability in the national market.
As reported by rni.ma.
