World Bank Releases $250 Million to Support Morocco’s Agri-Food Systems Program

The World Bank announced on Thursday that its Board of Directors has approved $250 million to support Morocco’s agri-food systems program.

According to the Bank’s statement, the fund aims to support the transformation of Morocco’s agri-food system — an initiative aimed at boosting the mechanshim’s resilience to climate change and strengthening food safety and quality.

Recalling the importance of the sector, the World Bank said that agrifood contributed 16% to Morocco’s gross domestic product and 19% of total exports in 2023.

“It plays a key role in employment, providing 67 percent of rural jobs and 36 percent of all jobs, with 30 percent in primary agriculture and 6 percent in agri processing,” the Bank noted in its statement.

Ahmadou Moustapha Ndiyae, the Bank’s country director for the Maghreb and Malta, said this support for an essential program will enable Morocco to secure green jobs in rural areas and enhance national food security in line with the country’s 2020-2030 Green Generation program.

Despite its importance and resilience, the sector has been facing challenges due to droughts that impacted production – especially in the grain sector.

“The transformation of Morocco’s food system is increasingly critical for stable and sustainable development, including through increased and more efficient production while minimizing negative externalities on natural resources and controlling greenhouse gas emissions,” the Bank added.

Morocco has turned to imports of essential commodities, including wheat and red meat, to address the drought-induced challenges its market has been facing of late.

The program seeks to improve climate resilience and risk management in rainfed agriculture, with the Bank’s statement noting that it will focus on promoting climate smart practices and improving water and soil management.

“The program will help improve livelihoods and increase job quality by stabilizing yields and mitigating climate risks including expanding no till agriculture and increasing the area covered by reformed agricultural insurance system,” the Bank said.

In October, the Moroccan government discussed possible measures to revitalize the agriculture sector, which has been hit by five consecutive years of severe drought affecting the industries that are crucial to the country’s economy.

The measures primarily aim to contribute to reviving plant production chains like olives, citrus fruits, date palms, sugar plants, rice seeds, and grains.