Drought strains Morocco's agriculture sector

Morocco's agriculture sector is in crisis due to a severe six-year drought, threatening the livelihoods of itinerant workers. According to government figures, 159,000 agricultural workers have lost their jobs since last year, AFP reports.

Despite a focus on developing the industrial and service sectors, agriculture remains central to the Moroccan economy- employing a third of Morocco's workforce and accounting for 14% of exports. The drought has had a dramatic impact: since its onset land under cultivation has shrunk from four million to 2.5 million hectares, and one third of the kingdom’s agricultural land lies unused.

The crisis is reflected in an alarming rise in Morocco unemployment rate, which soared to 13.7% in early 2024, with 1.6 million jobless. Despite initiatives like the "Green Morocco Plan," which succeeded in doubling agricultural revenues, the majority of farmers remain vulnerable to climate change. Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch’s pledge to create new jobs risks losing to the harsh challenge posed by the drought.