CESE: 70% of Morocco's Farms Are Family-Run, Yet Still Underfunded
Amara made these remarks during the opening speech of a council meeting held on Wednesday. The meeting focused on the findings of a new report titled: 'Small and Medium Family Farming: Towards a More Suitable, Innovative, Inclusive, Sustainable, and Locally-Based Approach.'
He explained that the council's opinion was shaped by listening to various experts and actors, conducting a field visit to the Essaouira region, and launching a citizen consultation through the online platform ' Ouchariko .'
According to the consultation results, family farmers in Morocco face many difficulties. The most common ones include weak agricultural guidance and support services (27%), vulnerability to climate change (20%), poor organization (16%), and limited access to financing (14.5%).
Amara noted that family farming is not just about small plots of land but a way of life that ensures food security, creates jobs, supports rural stability, protects biodiversity, and preserves traditional practices.
Lack of Public Support
Amara said that although Morocco has made progress in agricultural development, family farming, which makes up about 70% of all farms in the country, still lacks sufficient support and funding. Public policies have not focused enough on this sector.
He pointed out that only MAD 14.5 billion were invested in solidarity farming projects, compared to MAD 99 billion for high-value agriculture. This gap has worsened the situation for family farmers who are struggling with climate change, rising production costs, fragmented land ownership, poor organization, and the influence of middlemen.
He also referred to the council's 2023 alert note, which recommended reorganizing marketing chains and regulating intermediaries to reduce speculation.
Based on its findings, the council called for making small and medium family farming a national priority due to its economic, social, and environmental roles.
Amara noted the need for a specific action plan that considers different regions' needs and offers support to improve infrastructure, diversify income sources, and improve access to services.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Morocco World
11 hours ago
- Morocco World
Bank Al-Maghrib Issues Silver Coin to Mark King Mohammed VI's 62nd Birthday
Rabat – Bank Al-Maghrib (BAM), Morocco's central bank, has announced the release of a new commemorative silver coin to celebrate the 62nd birthday of King Mohammed VI. The coin, with a face value of MAD 250, was issued on the occasion of this national event. The front side of the coin shows the portrait of King Mohammed VI, along with inscriptions in Arabic and Tifinagh (Amazigh alphabet) that read 'Mohammed VI' and 'Kingdom of Morocco.' It also bears the year 2025 and the corresponding Hijri year 1447. On the reverse side, the coin displays the country's Coat of Arms, an artistic design inspired by Moroccan zellige patterns, and two olive branches. It also features the number '62,' the face value written both in Arabic numerals and words, and the inscriptions: '62 birthday of H.M King Mohammed VI' in French and its Arabic version. Every year, the birthday of King Mohammed VI, celebrated on August 21, also coincides with Youth Day in Morocco. This dual celebration carries a strong symbolic meaning, linking the King's personal anniversary with the recognition of young people as the backbone of the nation's future. The tradition of observing Youth Day alongside the monarch's birthday began during the reign of the late King Hassan II and has continued under King Mohammed VI. It shows the important role of Moroccan youth in driving development, innovation, and social progress. On this occasion, activities across the country often focus on themes of education, employment, sports, and culture. The day is also an opportunity for the King to reaffirm his commitment to youth empowerment, sometimes announcing programs or initiatives aimed at improving training and job opportunities for young Moroccans. Tags: king mohammed vi birthdayYouth Day
Morocco World
a day ago
- Morocco World
Jet Contractors, SGTM Win $440 Million Marrakech, Agadir Airport Expansion Deals
Marrakech – The Moroccan Airports Authority (ONDA) has awarded contracts worth MAD 4.4 billion ($440 million) to two Moroccan construction giants for major airport expansions. Jet Contractors and SGTM will handle extensive renovations at Marrakech-Menara and Agadir-Al Massira airports, significantly increasing their passenger capacities. Jet Contractors secured the Marrakech-Menara project on August 18 with a bid of MAD 2.2 billion ($220 million). Their proposal was deemed 'more advantageous' than competing offers from the TGCC/Inter Tridim consortium and SGTM. The company will expand the passenger terminal to approximately 142,000 square meters. The project includes major exterior improvements to roadways, green spaces, and new fountains. These enhancements aim to increase the airport's annual capacity from 9 to 16 million passengers. SGTM won the contract for Agadir-Al Massira with an equivalent MAD 2.2 billion ($220 million) bid. Their offer was considered the lowest compared to the TGCC/Inter Tridim group after technical evaluation. The project will expand the passenger terminal to a total area of 75,000 square meters. The Agadir expansion includes 23,800 square meters of renovations to the existing terminal and 51,200 square meters of new construction. SGTM will also build road infrastructure, handle exterior landscaping, and extend access roads and vehicle parking. These improvements will increase the airport's annual capacity from 3 to 7 million passengers. These developments are part of ONDA's 'Airports 2030' strategy to modernize Morocco's airport infrastructure. Earlier this year in April, ONDA transformed the exterior zones and entrances at both airports to create more intuitive, fluid, and pleasant reception areas for travelers. The earlier renovations included redesigned circulation zones, drop-off points, modernized signage, and direct terminal access according to airlines. These changes were intended to streamline arrivals and departures while improving service quality. Last July, head of government Aziz Akhannouch signed a landmark MAD 38 billion ($3.8 billion) five-year investment plan with ONDA for nationwide airport upgrades, including new terminals and runways at Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca. The expansions also support preparations for upcoming major sporting events, including the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the 2030 World Cup. ONDA, headed by Abdel El Fakir, continues to pursue its goal of elevating Moroccan airports to meet the highest international standards with improved passenger experience, enhanced connectivity, and modern facilities throughout the country's aviation network.
Morocco World
a day ago
- Morocco World
ONEE Invests $13.2 Million to Secure Water Supply for Greater Agadir
Marrakech – The National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE) launched a strategic water project on Wednesday to secure the drinking water supply for the Souss-Massa region. The initiative aims to address the alarming water deficit in the area through the doubling of a key section of the regional water pipeline from the Moulay Abdellah Dam, located north of Agadir. ONEE Director General Tarik Hamane and Souss-Massa Regional Wali Said Amzazi, Governor of Agadir Ida Outanane Prefecture, officially inaugurated the project. The MAD 132 million ($13.2 million) investment is part of Morocco's broader water stress management program. The project involves the supply, transport, and installation of 13 km of steel-coated adduction pipes with a diameter of 1,000 mm. These pipes will transfer water from the Tamri treatment station, which has an expanded capacity of 1,100 liters per second, to Agadir's reservoirs. Additionally, the infrastructure will transport drinking water produced by two monobloc desalination stations currently under construction, which will add another 200 liters per second to the region's water capacity. The initiative will also strengthen the region's water security during maintenance periods of the Chtouka Ait Baha seawater desalination station. It will enhance flexibility in managing surface water resources from both the Abdelmoumen and Moulay Abdellah dams. ONEE is financing the project through a loan from the Islamic Development Bank (IDB). The system is expected to be operational by December. The project was launched during celebrations of the 72nd anniversary of the Revolution of the King and the People and the Youth Day. The project aligns with King Mohammed VI's directives to combat water scarcity in Morocco. In his 2024 Throne Day speech, the King stressed the urgency of addressing Morocco's water crisis, noting that water availability had dropped from 2,000 cubic meters per capita in 1960 to less than 600 cubic meters. He called for accelerated implementation of major water transfer projects between hydraulic basins and construction of seawater desalination plants. More recently, in his 2025 Throne Day, the monarch emphasized the need for 'a proactive and sustainable water resources management model, given the worsening water stress and climate change,' particularly as Morocco faces significant water challenges following 'successive years of drought.' The King announced the launch of 'large-scale projects in the fields of water and food security,' recognizing water security as one of Morocco's most pressing challenges. This focus on water management is a key pillar of Morocco's new integrated territorial development program, called for by the sovereign, which aims to ensure a dignified life for all Moroccan citizens. Sustainable water resource management has been identified as one of the four essential pillars of this national initiative, alongside job creation, strengthening basic social services, and launching integrated territorial development projects that guarantee wider regionalization and reject what the King described as a 'Morocco moving at two speeds.' The program seeks to ensure that development benefits reach all citizens, regardless of their social group or region.
