Discover How Climate Change is Silently Devastating Morocco’s Cereal Farmers and Food Supply

Climate Change’s Toll on Moroccan Farmers

Morocco’s once-bountiful wheat fields have been devastated by a relentless six-year drought. This crisis is affecting not just the farmers but also the entire agriculture sector, which is now struggling to sustain the production of cereals and grains essential for both human and livestock consumption.

The country anticipates a smaller harvest this year, both in terms of volume and acreage. This has led to job losses for farmers and an increased reliance on imports and government subsidies to keep staple foods like flour affordable for consumers.

Al Housni Belhoussni, a farmer near Kenitra, noted, “In the past, we used to have a bounty — a lot of wheat. But during the last seven or eight years, the harvest has been very low because of the drought.”

The plight of Belhoussni is echoed by grain farmers globally, who are also grappling with a hotter and drier climate. This climate shift threatens the food supply, particularly in regions like North Africa, where cereals such as wheat, rice, maize, and barley are dietary staples.

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Impact on Rural Economies

Morocco is particularly vulnerable to climate change, with unpredictable weather and delayed rains complicating farming planning. The growing season has shifted, making it harder for farmers to predict and manage their crops effectively.

The drought has forced many farmers to leave their fields fallow or cultivate less productive areas. This has led to significantly fewer sacks of wheat for sale, transforming the economic landscape.

The government has implemented water use restrictions in both urban and rural areas. These measures include rationing water for farms and limiting public bath and car wash usage.

Here are some of the key measures taken by the government:

• Rationing water to farms
• Restricting water use in urban areas
• Providing subsidies for staple foods

Government and Expert Responses

Abdelkrim Naaman, the chairman of Nalsya, highlighted how the late autumn rains impacted the agricultural campaign. He noted that only the spring rains, especially in March, managed to save the crops.

The Ministry of Agriculture predicts this year’s wheat harvest to be about 3.4 million tons, a significant drop from last year’s already low 6.1 million tons. The area seeded has also shrunk drastically, from 14,170 square miles to 9,540 square miles.

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Driss Aissaoui, an analyst and former member of the Agriculture Ministry, described the situation as a crisis. “When we say crisis, this means that you have to import more,” he explained.

Rachid Benali, chairman of the farming lobby COMADER, mentioned that relying on imports requires ongoing government subsidies to ensure affordability for households and livestock farmers. However, the primary import source, France, is also facing declining harvests.

Global Implications and Future Outlook

Morocco imported nearly 2.5 million tons of common wheat in the first half of this year. The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization has ranked Morocco as the sixth-largest wheat importer globally, between Turkey and Bangladesh.

Benali pointed out that Morocco has experienced extended droughts before, but the current situation is exacerbated by climate change. The cumulative effect of these conditions is reshaping the country’s agricultural landscape.

As climate change continues to impact global weather patterns, the future of Morocco’s cereal farming remains uncertain. The country must adapt to these changes to safeguard its agriculture and food supply.

Efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change will be crucial in supporting Moroccan farmers and ensuring food security for the nation.

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