Morocco has taken a significant step toward strengthening its food security by signing a $22 million deal with Jungnong, a subsidiary of China Agricultural Development Group. The agreement focuses on introducing precision farming technologies to Morocco’s drought-prone semi-arid regions, aiming to enhance agricultural productivity through smart irrigation and soil management techniques.
The project will leverage digital tools to optimize crop irrigation and fertilization in real time, addressing critical water management challenges. Jungnong’s simulations suggest that these technologies could increase agricultural yields by over 20% per hectare. However, experts caution that these projections will need to be confirmed through field trials and independent evaluations to assess their real-world applicability.
A key component of the partnership is the establishment of a training center dedicated to smart farming. This center will provide hundreds of Moroccan workers with the skills needed to operate and maintain advanced agricultural technologies. This initiative is particularly important given that 70% of Morocco’s farms are family-run, according to the country’s Economic, Social, and Environmental Council. By equipping local farmers with the necessary expertise, the project aims to ensure the long-term sustainability of these technological advancements.
This collaboration aligns with Morocco’s broader “Generation Green 2020–2030” strategy, which prioritizes digitalization and skills development as essential elements for modernizing the rural economy. Agriculture Minister Ahmed El Bouari highlighted the project’s potential, describing it as “an integrated development model combining technology with social impact.”
If successful, Morocco’s approach could offer valuable insights for other countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region facing similar challenges related to water scarcity, climate resilience, and agricultural productivity. However, the project’s outcomes will hinge on Jungnong’s ability to tailor its solutions to local conditions, facilitate effective skills transfer, and demonstrate tangible improvements in yields and food security. The initiative represents a strategic effort to merge technological innovation with practical agricultural needs, potentially setting a precedent for other nations grappling with comparable issues.