Water & Food Security: Morocco & FAO Set $31.5 Mln Cooperation Program

Morocco and the UN Food & Agriculture Organization have agreed on a new cooperation program worth $31.5 million destined to enhance the Kingdom’s food and water security and climate change mitigation actions.

The four-year program was signed Wednesday by minister of agriculture Mohamed Sadiki and FAO representative in Morocco, Jean Senahoun, on the sidelines of the 16th International Agriculture Exhibition (SIAM) taking place in Meknes, central Morocco.

The signatories pledge to share experiences, strengthen governance and improve water and food resilience to climate change. The new project comes after the positive results yielded by the program: “Water Efficiency, Productivity and Sustainability in the NENA Region” carried out between 2016 and 2022.

Rising demand for water, particularly for irrigation, has put increasing pressure on Morocco’s groundwater. A growing population and increasing agricultural production have contributed to a widespread overexploitation of groundwater resources.

Morocco’s economy is also growing at a sustained pace involving critical development activities in sectors like: industry; agriculture; tourism; and energy. The water demand of these sectors will have to be met against the backdrop of shrinking water resources and amidst rapidly growing competition for water use.

For the North African Kingdom, adaptation to climate change is the cornerstone of any program or policy on sustainable development. Some economic sectors or ecosystems are more sensitive than others are to climate change.

Morocco is seeking to mitigate climate change impact by speeding up its low-carbon transition economy, encouraging sustainable development, inclusive growth, and renewable energies.

Nearly 70 countries, including Spain as guest of honor, and 1,500 exhibitors are participating in the 16th SIAM, organized until April 28 under the theme “Climate and agriculture: For sustainable and resilient production systems.”

More than 950,000 visitors are expected at this major Moroccan and international agricultural event, which features a rich program of 40 conferences and round tables on crucial topical issues.