Morocco plans to significantly expand agricultural irrigation in the coming years. The goal is to achieve an additional one million hectares of localized irrigation by 2030, as part of the agricultural strategy Generation Green 2020-2030.
These guidelines were presented by Minister of Agriculture Ahmed El Bouari in a response to the Chamber of Advisors. The program aims to enhance the resilience of agriculture in the face of climate change, improve water management, and support the economic development of rural and mountainous areas.
To date, approximately 123,000 hectares have already been developed under programs designed to promote irrigated agriculture in these regions. Among these, nearly 94,400 hectares are located in the Drâa-Tafilalet, Oriental, and Souss-Massa regions.
The modernization of irrigation systems is one of the pillars of this strategy. The ministry plans to expand localized irrigation techniques, which are more water-efficient, to address challenges related to water scarcity and climate variability.
In this context, mechanisms for financial and technical support are also planned to assist small and medium-sized farmers, particularly in mountainous and oasis areas where water management remains a significant challenge for agricultural production.
At the same time, small and medium-scale irrigation projects are being developed to invigorate the rural economy. These include rehabilitation of traditional hydraulic infrastructures, modernization of equipment, and improvement of agricultural production systems.
Dams also play a central role in this strategy. Several hydro-agricultural projects are expected to allow for the irrigation of over 72,450 additional hectares, helping to improve agricultural yields and farmers’ incomes.
Beyond water, the government policy also aims to promote local agricultural products and support cooperatives. Programs encourage the establishment of processing units, improve packaging, and provide market access, particularly through digital channels.
Through these initiatives, authorities seek to reduce territorial disparities, strengthen agricultural value chains, and create new economic opportunities in rural areas, especially for youth and women.
With Le Matin