Once-golden wheat fields in Morocco are now a stark reminder of the country’s deepening water crisis. A six-year drought has ravaged the agricultural sector, threatening food security and livelihoods. Farmers, who cultivate essential grains for both humans and livestock, are facing unprecedented challenges.
The nation anticipates a significantly smaller wheat harvest this year compared to the previous one, both in terms of volume and cultivated land. This decline is forcing farmers out of work and necessitates increased imports and government subsidies to stabilize flour prices for consumers.
Al Housni Belhoussni, a small-scale farmer near Kenitra, epitomizes the struggles faced by many. “We used to have abundant wheat harvests,” he said. “But the last seven or eight years have been devastating due to the drought.”
Morocco mirrors a global trend as climate change intensifies. The region’s vulnerability to erratic weather patterns is exacerbating the situation. Delayed rains and inconsistent seasons have disrupted farming practices, pushing the growing period later into the year.
Cereals form the backbone of Morocco’s agriculture, providing employment to a significant portion of the rural population. The drought has compelled farmers to leave fields fallow and reduced yields dramatically. To mitigate the crisis, the government has imposed water restrictions on both urban and rural areas, including farms.
Abdelkrim Naaman, head of Nalsya, an agricultural advisory organization, emphasized the impact of the delayed autumn rains. “This year’s crops were saved by the spring rains, especially in March,” he said. Nalsya is supporting farmers with strategies to adapt to the changing climate, including improved seeding, irrigation techniques, and drought resilience.
