(Ecofin Agency) – In Morocco, the agricultural sector contributes 11% to GDP and employs around 31% of the active population. While the country has been facing a persistent drought for several years, initiatives aimed at strengthening the climate resilience of the productive system are increasing.
The World Bank has approved funding of $250 million for the implementation of the Agri-Food Systems Transformation Program in Morocco. In a press release published on Thursday, December 19 on its website, the financial institution indicates that this initiative aims to strengthen the climate resilience of the agri-food sector and improve food and health security.
Interventions will mainly focus on the promotion and adoption of climate-smart practices, agricultural insurance systems to mitigate climate risks as well as water and soil management mechanisms. There are also plans to expand organic farming to 25,000 hectares and improve health standards in 1,200 food outlets across the country.
According to authorities, this project is planned to reach more than 1.3 million people, including nearly 120,000 farmers and more than a million consumers. “By supporting an ambitious scale-up of climate-smart agricultural practices, this innovative program supported by the World Bank will help Morocco create green jobs in rural areas and strengthen national food security, in accordance with the Generation Green program [2020-2030] of the country »declared Ahmadou Moustapha Ndiaye, World Bank Country Director for the Maghreb.
More broadly, this financial support comes in a context marked by a sharp drop in agricultural production linked to the impacts of drought. According to FAO data, Moroccan cereal production fell by 42% in 2023/2024, reaching only 3.3 million tonnes compared to an average of 5.6 million tonnes over the last 5 years.
Stéphanas Assocle
Edited by Wilfried ASSOGBA
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