Moroccan agriculture battles water scarcity for food sovereignty
Moroccan agriculture battles water scarcity for food sovereignty Yabiladi in English
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Sustainable Development Goals in Moroccan Agriculture
Introduction
Morocco’s agricultural sector represents up to 15% of GDP, making it the main source of employment in rural areas. However, its contribution to the national economy is threatened by the growing scarcity of water resources, with nearly 85% of the country’s renewable resources already used by agriculture.
Challenges Faced
- Water scarcity exacerbated by climate change
- Global geopolitical changes impacting food trade and prices
- Insufficient public investments in agriculture
Efforts and Concerns
Despite efforts like the Green Morocco Plan, concerns remain about the low rate of import coverage by exports and future challenges such as population growth and market volatility.
Urgent Measures Needed
Experts emphasize the urgency of revising agricultural policies, optimizing water use, and increasing public investment in the sector to ensure a sustainable future for Moroccan agriculture.
Optimizing Governance in the Agricultural Sector
Scientists recommend an overhaul of agricultural governance, including national and regional debates, integrated approaches, and improved water management through the Water-Energy-Agriculture-Natural Ecosystems Nexus approach.
Guaranteeing Food Sovereignty
To ensure food sovereignty, experts suggest supporting small family farming, reorienting the agricultural model to meet local food needs, and promoting agricultural sectors with high economic and nutritional value. They also stress the importance of national seed security and livestock revaluation.
Strengthening Sustainability and Resilience
Experts advise implementing climate change adaptation programs, proactive risk management, sustainable financing models, and boosting scientific research and technological innovation to enhance the sustainability and resilience of the Moroccan agricultural sector.
## Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed in the Article
### SDG 2: Zero Hunger
### SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
### SDG 13: Climate Action
The issues highlighted in the article, such as water scarcity affecting agriculture, climate change leading to droughts, and the need for sustainable agricultural practices, are connected to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
## Specific Targets Identified in the Article
### Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding, and other disasters, and that progressively improve land and soil quality.
### Target 6.4: By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity.
### Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
Based on the content of the article, the specific targets related to sustainable food production systems, water-use efficiency, and climate resilience can be identified.
## Indicators for Measuring Progress
1. Percentage of GDP contributed by the agricultural sector.
2. Percentage of renewable water resources used by agriculture.
3. Percentage of general state budget allocated to public investments in the agricultural sector.
4. Rate of import coverage by exports in the agri-food trade balance.
5. Percentage of agricultural GDP allocated to advanced agronomic research.
These indicators mentioned or implied in the article can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets under SDG 2, SDG 6, and SDG 13.
## Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|———————————|————————————————————————————————————|—————————————————————————————————–|
| SDG 2: Zero Hunger | Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices | – Percentage of GDP contributed by the agricultural sector
– Rate of import coverage by exports |
| | | – Percentage of general state budget allocated to public investments in the agricultural sector |
| | | – Percentage of agricultural GDP allocated to advanced agronomic research |
| SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation| Target 6.4: By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors | – Percentage of renewable water resources used by agriculture |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters | – Rate of import coverage by exports in the agri-food trade balance |
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Fuente: en.yabiladi.com
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