Rabat – Africa has untapped natural resources that could ensure food security across the continent, Morocco’s Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Waters and Forests, Mohamed Sadiki has said.
Sadiki’s comments came on Monday during a meeting with representatives from 16 other African countries in Rabat to discuss the issue of food scarcity on the continent, and how it is impacted by climate change and population growth. The meeting was organized by the Union of African Agricultural Engineers.
“The climate crisis is no longer to be expected, it is here, and unfortunately our continent, the least prepared, is the most affected”, said the president of Morocco’s Association of Agricultural Engineers, Abed Yacoubi-Soussane during the two-day event.
Along with climate change, the surge in population accompanied by weak economic growth in some African countries represent major burdens to the continent’s sustainable development in the face of environmental and security issues, Yacoubi-Soussane added.
Climate change in recent years has led to problems across Africa ranging from drought to natural disasters, to conflicts over natural resources, such as water.
Morocco has likewise fallen victim to the effects of climate change such as rising temperatures and drought. During the first months of 2022, the north African country suffered droughts from a lack of rainfall.
The North African country has called for collective action across the continent to promote cooperation with other African countries through establishing “fair, just and balanced economic relations between the Kingdom of Morocco and African countries,” said Sadiki.
Morocco has signed numerous agreements with African countries to promote and protect mutual investments, share knowledge and expertise, and strengthen cooperation to face common issues including environmental ones.
One example is the Morocco-Nigeria gas pipeline. The agreement to create the pipeline was signed in December 2021. the pipeline is expected to reinforce regional energy security and boost the economic and social development of involved countries.
Read Also: Moroccan Business Schools: Africa Needs Balanced Development Models
Countries across Africa have developed a ten-year strategy – from 2020 to 2030 – to help farmers and others in the agriculture sector deal with climate change.
Morocco has also set up a series of projects to maintain food security in face of climate change, including Green Generation 2020-2030.
Green Generation seeks to help entrepreneurs create agriculture projects to deal with and become resilient to climate change.
Read Also: Food Security: Morocco Is Well-Prepared for Ramadan 2022
