Morocco Sets the Benchmark for Agriculture, Senegalese Minister Says

Mohammedia – Morocco’s agricultural and agro-industrial model is emerging as a reference point for African cooperation, Senegal’s Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Livestock Mabouba Diagne said on Monday in Rabat, following talks with his Moroccan counterpart.

Speaking to the press after meeting Morocco’s Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests Ahmed El Bouari, Diagne praised the country’s achievements across agriculture, livestock, horticulture and agro-industry.

He highlighted the strength of Morocco’s integrated agricultural value chains, noting that its experience offers concrete lessons for countries seeking to strengthen food production and agro-industrial capacity.

Diagne said Morocco’s progress across the sector positions it as a partner of choice for cooperation and knowledge sharing, particularly along the full agricultural value chain.

He underlined that Senegal currently imports more than $1.6 billion worth of food products each year, describing this figure as both a challenge and a clear opportunity for deeper collaboration between the two countries.

In this context, the Senegalese minister called on Moroccan private sector actors to invest in Senegal, pointing to the country’s available water resources and large expanses of arable land.

He said Senegal is working alongside its own private sector to build and expand national agricultural production with the aim of strengthening food security and improving the well-being of its population.

Diagne also referred to the presence of Moroccan banking institutions in Senegal, saying they are well positioned to support industrial and agricultural projects led by Moroccan and Senegalese investors alike.

He stressed that financial support would be key to translating cooperation ambitions into concrete production and processing capacity on the ground.

For his part, Bouari reaffirmed Morocco’s commitment to supporting Senegal’s agricultural development. He said the country is ready to share its expertise and technical know-how, particularly in areas related to modern agricultural practices, value chain development and agro-industrial structuring.

Bouari added that Morocco and Senegal can move forward through a partnership based on complementarity, allowing both countries to strengthen their agricultural sectors while responding to shared challenges around food security and sustainable development.

The meeting took place during Diagne’s working visit to Morocco, held on the sidelines of the 15th session of the Morocco-Senegal Joint High Commission for Cooperation.

The visit forms part of broader efforts by both countries to deepen bilateral ties and reinforce South-South cooperation, particularly in strategic sectors such as agriculture and food systems.