BY: Hana Saada
ALGIERS- In the heart of North Africa, Morocco is grappling with a devastating crisis that is shaking its economy and questioning its agricultural model. Widespread and enduring drought has struck the country, resulting in the loss of hundreds of thousands of jobs in the crucial agricultural sector.
Morocco: A Vulnerable Agricultural Sector
The agricultural sector has long been a cornerstone of the Moroccan economy, constituting 14% of the country’s GDP and employing around 40% of the active population. Over the years, Morocco invested in the development of this sector, aiming to make it a major player on the international stage. The Green Morocco Plan (PMV), launched in 2008, aimed to boost agricultural exports and position Morocco as a key supplier to the European Union in products such as tomatoes, green beans, peppers, strawberries, citrus fruits, and olive oil.
Initial results from the PMV were promising, with a significant increase in agricultural GDP and food product exports. However, this strategy quickly revealed its limitations as drought became an endemic issue in Morocco.
Drought in Morocco: A Structural Crisis
Drought has become an alarming reality in Morocco, not only threatening agricultural production but also jeopardizing water availability for urban populations. In 1960, the country had 2,600 cubic meters of water per person per year. Today, this figure has plummeted to only 600 cubic meters, well below national demand.
As early as 2022, Fouad Amraoui, a water sciences professor at Hassan II University in Casablanca, warned about the critical situation. Vital water supply sources, such as the Al Massira dam, one of the country’s largest, were filled to only 5.5%. The situation was even more concerning in certain regions.
Drought in Morocco: Overexploitation of Resources
A major cause of this crisis is the overexploitation of underground aquifers. Moroccan farmers have been digging increasingly deeper wells to access water, depleting groundwater reserves. Dutch academic researcher Marcel Kuper emphasizes that the situation of underground aquifers has become so alarming that they can no longer compensate for the scarcity of surface water.
The cultivation of water-intensive crops such as citrus fruits, watermelons, and avocados, encouraged by government subsidies, has also contributed to this crisis. Farmers expanded their plantations, ignoring climate and environmental challenges.
The Dilemma of Agricultural Exports
Morocco’s export-oriented agricultural model has reached its limits. Intensive agriculture requires massive amounts of water, leading to an increasing dependence on water resources. Today, despite its agricultural potential, Morocco imports a significant portion of its basic food needs, including maize, seed oils, wheat, and sugar.
The surge in global food prices exacerbates the country’s economic situation, and the removal of subsidies for citrus, watermelon, and avocado crops has added to the crisis. Farmers, no longer receiving support for well digging or irrigation equipment, find themselves in precarious situations.
Towards a Shift in Agricultural Model
Faced with this major crisis, Moroccan authorities acknowledge the need for a radical change in the country’s agricultural model. The Generation Green 2020-2030 plan seeks to address some of the PMV’s shortcomings by focusing on climate change resilience and advocating for more efficient water use.
However, Morocco faces a complex dilemma. It must create rural jobs while preserving its limited water resources. Experts call for a thorough reconsideration of the country’s agricultural policy, warning against the environmental and economic consequences of overexploiting water resources.
Morocco Confronting an Uncertain Future
The drought plaguing Morocco is more than a passing meteorological crisis. It questions an agricultural model that has been the engine of the country’s economic growth for years. The stakes are enormous, both economically and environmentally.
