Major Challenges Facing the Agricultural Sector Take Center Stage at the Moroccan Confederation of Agriculture and Rural Development Conference
The major challenges confronting Morocco’s agricultural sector were the focus of a conference held on Thursday in Salé, organized by the Moroccan Confederation of Agriculture and Rural Development (COMADER).
This conference, held as part of the implementation of COMADER’s board decision to act upon the recommendations issued during the First National Agriculture Meeting, provided an opportunity for professionals to discuss current challenges and explore possible solutions to ensure the sustainability of the agricultural sector.
The President of the Confederation, Rachid Benali, pointed out that Moroccan agriculture faces multiple challenges, including water shortages exacerbated by climate change and successive years of drought, rising input prices, and market volatility.
He stated that these constraints pose a real threat to the continuity of agricultural activities and jeopardize economic and social stability in rural areas. They also weaken the capacity of farmers—especially small and medium-scale ones—to make investment decisions based on a clear and secure vision.
Despite all these challenges, Benali emphasized that Moroccan farmers continue, with professionalism and responsibility, to play their vital role in supplying national markets with agricultural products and ensuring their regular availability. He praised the measures taken by the government to mitigate the effects of water scarcity, through the implementation of programs aimed at reducing the impact of rainfall shortages and global conditions on agricultural activity.
The President of COMADER also commended the significant results achieved by Moroccan agriculture and the gains made by farmers since the launch of the Green Morocco Plan, and the continued progress under the Green Generation Strategy launched by His Majesty the King in February 2020.
Benali noted that Morocco recently experienced substantial rainfall and snowfall, which have contributed, to some extent, to improving the country’s water reserves, particularly in dams and groundwater levels. He stressed the urgent need for a clear vision regarding irrigation water.
In this context, Benali expressed concern over the continued decline in the volume of water allocated for irrigation, despite the recent rainfall and snowfall. He warned that if this situation persists—amid continued dry seasons and scarce precipitation—it could threaten agricultural investments and the livelihoods of thousands of rural families.
Given the importance of agriculture as an economic engine and a cornerstone of food security and employment in Morocco, COMADER has proposed a series of recommendations. These include ensuring that agriculture receives at least 80% of its irrigation water needs under all circumstances, enhancing coordination and consistency between water policy and agricultural policy, and reviewing and increasing the water quotas allocated from dams to match the needs of areas at risk of total production loss.
He also called for providing farmers, as much as possible, with a clear and forward-looking vision regarding the timing and volume of water quota releases—especially in irrigated zones—prior to the start of the agricultural season, in order to effectively plan farming operations. Additionally, he stressed the need to involve professional organizations in the regional and provincial committees responsible for managing water allocation (irrigation quotas for irrigated zones).
Benali concluded by stating that achieving water justice, along with integrated and equitable water resource management, is now an urgent necessity to ensure the supply of agricultural products to the national market. This, in turn, contributes to the country’s food security, ensures the sustainability of agricultural investments, preserves gains in agricultural employment, and protects both producers and farmers.
COMADER brings together professional organizations working in the development of the agricultural sector, operating under Law 03.12 and linked to the state through program contracts signed with the government. The Confederation works to defend the interests of farmers and professionals with public administrations and institutions.
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