Morocco, a country in North Africa, is characterized by a diverse landscape that includes fertile plains, mountain ranges and arid deserts. This varied landscape offers opportunities and challenges such as poverty and hunger in Morocco, particularly in drought-prone areas. 

Morocco’s Fight Against Hunger

The government has launched many initiatives to reduce poverty and hunger in Morocco. These efforts have placed Morocco on a positive trajectory, which stands in contrast to the worsening conditions faced by the other African nations. 

• 9% of Morocco’s population lives below the poverty line, a significant reduction from 16% a decade ago. 
• Hunger levels in the country are low and it ranks 48th out of 127 countries on the Global Hunger Index. 
• Only 2.3% of children under 5 suffer from wasting, indicating significant progress in the fight against hunger and malnutrition. 

Success Story- Plan Maroc Vert

Following the 2008 food crisis, the government initiated The Green Plan, known as Plan Maroc Vert, to enhance the country’s agriculture. It was launched in 2008; the program ran for 12 years and concluded in 2020, achieving remarkable results that significantly contributed to reducing hunger and poverty in Morocco. Some of these achievements include:

• Creation of 342,000 new job opportunities.
• Agriculture’s GDP grew by 5%, compared to an approximate 3.8% increase in other sectors.
• Agricultural exports rose from $1.5 billion to $33 billion over the past 12 years.

Future Plans- The Generation Green Plan

A new initiative called the Generation Green Plan for 2020-2030 has been launched to ensure the country remains on the path set by Plan Maroc Vert. This plan is a collaboration between the Moroccan government, the European Union (EU), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Bank. It is a comprehensive strategy aimed at addressing critical issues of hunger and poverty that affect the rural population in Morocco. The main targets of the plan are outlined here.

1. Developing water irrigation systems to alleviate the impacts of droughts.
2. Supporting 350,000 young individuals by providing training and assistance in finding jobs.
3. Ensuring that the farmers have access to the latest technologies, knowledge and skills needed for climate-resilient agriculture. 
4. Subsidizing prices of seeds and fertilizer to make them accessible to everyone. 
5. Providing financial aid to farmers in vulnerable areas.
6. Providing the livestock feed at subsidized rates. 
7. Increasing production of cereal crops.
8. Establishing markets in hard-to-access areas to ensure the availability of essential goods. 

The Generation Green Plan aims to significantly reduce poverty by establishing sustainable sources of income for vulnerable populations. By enhancing incomes and increasing the production of cereal crops, the plan seeks to improve food security among the population, ensuring better access to sufficient and nutritious food. As a result, hunger in Morocco is expected to decline.

– Maria Waleed
Photo: Flickr

Updated: December 7, 2024