Challenges and Strategic Responses in Moroccan Agriculture
Similar to many African nations, Morocco's agricultural sector faces significant structural challenges, including increasing climate variability, heightened pressure on water resources, and vulnerability to external shocks, particularly the fluctuations in international prices. These constraints have a lasting impact on productivity, farmers' incomes, and food security, underscoring the urgent need to transform production systems toward greater resilience, efficiency, and sustainability. Achraf Tarsim, the country representative of the African Development Bank (AfDB) in Morocco, emphasizes this ambition, stating, "Building a sustainable and resilient precision agriculture is our goal. From enhancing the capacity and range of value chains to fostering a middle class and preserving resources, we are supporting the acceleration of this critical transition through a partnership of excellence with Morocco."
Investment in Agricultural Strategies and Resilience
Since 2008, Morocco has embarked on modernizing its agricultural sector through two successive strategic visions: the Green Morocco Plan and the Generation Green Strategy 2020-2030. Both policies have received strong support from the African Development Bank Group. The Green Morocco Plan, financed with approximately $500 million from the Bank Group, marked the initial phase of Morocco's agricultural modernization. It has facilitated the structuring of agricultural value chains, the modernization of farms, and the stimulation of private investment, attracting nearly $950 million in supplementary investments. As a result, 366,000 hectares have been converted to localized irrigation, leading to the creation of around 3,300 direct jobs in a sector that accounts for over 75% of rural employment. Building on this foundation, the Generation Green Strategy 2020-2030 places a stronger emphasis on human capital, the inclusion of youth and women, and the sustainability of agricultural systems, shifting from a production-focused approach to one that emphasizes value creation.
The transformation of the agricultural sector relies on enhancing capabilities and integrating value chains into global markets. The development of agro-industrial hubs and valorization platforms has effectively linked production, processing, and markets. In this context, the Bank Group has financed the Inclusive and Sustainable Development Support Program for Agricultural Sectors to the tune of €200 million. This program aims to create rural jobs through the development of inclusive value chains while improving governance and sustainability across sectors. It also aligns with the objective of raising agricultural exports to 45 billion dirhams (approximately €4.1 billion) by 2030, mobilizing over 4 billion dirhams (around €370 million) in private investments, and generating tens of thousands of jobs for youth and women in rural areas. Furthermore, in light of repeated drought episodes and climate instability, the Bank Group has supported the development of a competitive and resilient cereal production program, with funding of €199 million, benefiting nearly 980,000 farmers by enhancing productivity, governance, and the adoption of resource-efficient production systems.
With the aim of reducing cereal imports by 20% by 2030 while increasing agricultural incomes, water management has become a central issue in this context of structural water stress. The pan-African financial institution has supported the National Irrigation Water Savings Program with over €53 million, facilitating the conversion of hundreds of thousands of hectares to localized irrigation. In project-covered areas, more than 45,000 hectares have been modernized with more efficient irrigation systems, leading to average water savings of about 10% to 15%.
Inclusive Growth and Natural Resource Management
This agricultural dynamic also integrates important human and social dimensions. To this end, the Bank Group has financed the Inclusive Agricultural Entrepreneurship Program for women and youth with €100 million. This project supports the creation of rural economic activities, access to financing, and the emergence of a new generation of agricultural entrepreneurs. Alongside this initiative, the Vulnerable Agricultural and Rural Areas Development Program, funded with €114 million, improves the living conditions of farmers operating in nearly 14,000 farms, helping to foster a rural middle class while strengthening the capabilities of cooperatives and agricultural organizations. Beyond agriculture, the pan-African development institution supports sustainable natural resource management through the Forest Area Development Program, financed with €84 million. This program aims to enhance climate resilience, particularly through improved water cycles, the valorization of forest resources, and the development of forest and aquaculture value chains, benefiting over 6 million people in targeted rural areas. It also promotes forest and aquaculture entrepreneurship, land restoration, and strengthens institutional capacities in environmental governance.
As reported by afdb.org.
