Morocco has launched its 2024/2025 agricultural campaign under favorable conditions, thanks to recent rains that have revitalized groundwater and improved dam fill rates. This momentum suggests a promising season, though not without its challenges.
The rainfall over the last three months has marked a significant shift following a challenging agricultural year. According to the Directorate of Studies and Financial Forecasts (DEPF), the national average rainfall from September 1 to December 6, 2024, was 50 mm, compared to just 27 mm the previous year.
Regarding water reserves, the fill rate of the main national dams reached 28.7% by December 18, 2024, an increase of 5.2 percentage points from the same date last year, with a storage volume exceeding 4.8 billion cubic meters.
These figures offer hope for recovery to offset the losses from the 2023/2024 campaign, where cereal production fell by 43% to 31.2 million quintals.
Zakaria Abbass, a researcher and lecturer in business strategy and international trade at the Euro-Mediterranean University of Fez, told MAP that these recent rains are excellent news for Moroccan agriculture. “These late rains will help replenish groundwater and soil moisture, crucial conditions for an optimal start to the cereal crops,” he noted.
However, recovery depends on consistent rainfall in the coming months and the effectiveness of irrigation systems to compensate for past water deficits. A cautious approach is necessary, as climatic uncertainties persist, Abbass pointed out.
Enhanced Economic Potential
The Ministry of Agriculture has announced significant measures for this new campaign, including the distribution of certified seeds at reduced prices, subsidies for phosphate and nitrogen fertilizers, and an ambitious irrigation program covering 700,000 hectares.
These initiatives align with the “Generation Green 2020-2030” strategy, which focuses on agricultural sustainability and resilience.
Abbass believes that while subsidies for seeds and fertilizers help lower costs for farmers, they should be complemented by easier access to agricultural credit and a review of the supply chain to avoid speculative price increases. He also noted that arid regions like Draâ-Tafilalet require additional support in the form of drought-resistant seeds and enhanced water infrastructure.
Despite the challenges, agriculture remains a key economic pillar, as evidenced by a 22% increase in exports for the “Agriculture and Agro-food” sector in the first month of Q4 2024, following a 0.6% decrease the year before.
Vegetable crops, cereals, and legumes, supported by subsidies and climate insurance, are expected to help stabilize domestic prices and enhance food security.
While the initial weeks of planting look promising, experts call for increased vigilance against climatic uncertainties. The adoption of modern technologies like remote sensing for optimizing irrigation and supporting small farmers will be crucial.
Abbass emphasized that digital transformation and the use of smart agricultural technologies to improve crop and resource management are essential levers. To meet the “Generation Green” strategy’s resilience and sustainability goals, he stresses the need to leverage other factors, including integrating small farmers through agricultural cooperatives, better access to financing, and enhancing local agricultural sectors like olive and traditional products that add significant value.
The 2024/2025 agricultural campaign embodies hope for sector revival but also underscores the urgency to continue efforts in transforming agriculture to make it more resilient to climatic challenges.
