• In Morocco, the impacts of climate change are becoming increasingly evident, and farmers are the first to be affected.

• Drought has become a structural challenge for farmers in many parts of the country.

• To secure their future, Moroccan farmers are adopting more resilient production methods.

Agriculture remains a key sector for the Moroccan economy, accounting for around 13% of Morocco's GDP, 23% of its exports, and generating almost 30% of the country's employment. While Morocco has invested heavily in water management infrastructure (such as dams, with a parallel focus on modernizing irrigation) over the past few decades, the overall performance of the agricultural sector remains highly vulnerable to climatic shocks, given that rain-fed areas still account for almost four-fifths of total cultivated land and contribute over 40% of agricultural value added in average years. As a result, performance in the agricultural sector is subject to wide variations depending on rainfall volumes. Cereals, and wheat in particular, are the most important rain-fed crop in terms of value and relevance to food security.

The World Bank supports Morocco's efforts to develop a more resilient and sustainable agricultural sector through initiatives such as the Resilient and Sustainable Water Management in Agriculture Project (RESWAG).

Another noteworthy program, "Morocco's Results-Oriented Program - Generation Green", supports the country's agricultural strategy through a number of activities.

In order to further develop a more resilient and eco-efficient agriculture, the Department of Agriculture will pursue its efforts within the framework of the new agricultural strategy "Generation Green 2020-2030" through, in particular:

• Improving water efficiency by pursuing programs to control irrigation and develop agricultural land, as well as mobilizing non-conventional water resources;

• Promoting renewable energies (biomass, solar, etc.) and supporting farmers' transition to renewable energies;

• Continuation of planting programs, in particular for species better adapted to arid climates;

• Developing organic farming;

• Disseminating soil conservation techniques;

• Continuation of the agricultural insurance program;

• Adopting and disseminating Green Tech and developing agricultural digitalization.

• Continuing to raise climate funds from climate donors, in particular through ADA's direct access to the financial resources of the Green Climate Fund and the Adaptation Fund.

Morocco is facing droughts of increasing incidence, severity and duration, accentuating the vulnerability of rural areas, with negative effects on both macroeconomic stability and national food security. Although Morocco's economic index remains relatively stable, and its overall trade balance positive, the challenges of the drought are still present, and are having a direct impact on the ratio of agricultural exports. Likewise, the volume of cereal imports varies according to local production. Sources: World Bank / Ministry of Agriculture