Morocco has taken a new step in transforming its agricultural model. With support from the World Bank, the Kingdom is preparing to launch a pilot project aimed at accelerating the adoption of conservation agriculture, an approach designed to enhance farm resilience against climate change while improving soil productivity.
This project is part of the Filaha 2025-2029 program, a comprehensive initiative to transform Morocco’s agri-food systems to make agriculture more competitive, sustainable, and better integrated into the markets. The initiative aims to assist 1,200 farmers over nearly 20,000 hectares to adopt so-called “climate-smart” agricultural practices by 2029.
The financing of the program relies on several instruments coordinated with the World Bank. A loan of approximately $248 million supports structural reforms in the sector, while technical assistance from FAO and a $5 million grant from the Livable Planet Fund aim to promote the transition to more sustainable agricultural practices, especially for small and medium-sized farms.
The pilot project will be implemented in the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra region, one of the country’s main agricultural zones, known for its high cereal production and diverse farming systems. This region has significant agricultural potential but remains particularly vulnerable to climate hazards, such as recurring droughts and irregular rainfall.
To facilitate this transition, the project will adopt an integrated approach. An electronic voucher system will be established to encourage farmers to adopt conservation agriculture practices. These e-vouchers will specifically help farmers access mechanization services such as direct seeding and crop varieties suited to climatic conditions. The goal is to reduce production costs while improving soil and water management.
The system also aims to develop production aggregation models to better connect farms to markets and ease their access to financing. Concurrently, the project seeks to establish a genuine agricultural services ecosystem, fostering the emergence of specialized service providers, particularly among young entrepreneurs and rural women.
The program’s implementation will be jointly overseen by the Ministry of Agriculture, through the Regional Directorate of Agriculture of Rabat-Salé-Kénitra, and the World Bank. To ensure project monitoring and evaluation, an expert will be recruited to support the overall management of the initiative and measure its impacts, particularly regarding the adoption of new practices, yield improvements, and reducing vulnerability to climate risks.
Beyond this pilot project, the initiative underscores Morocco’s commitment to accelerate the transformation of its agriculture in a context marked by climate pressures. The agri-food sector holds a strategic place in the national economy, accounting for about 16% of GDP, nearly 19% of exports, and remains a crucial pillar of employment, especially in rural areas where it encompasses the majority of economic activities.
Through this program, Morocco aims to build a more sustainable and resilient agriculture capable of addressing climate challenges while enhancing food security and the sector’s competitiveness.