How does drought affect farming and food production in Morocco?

In Morocco, drought is a recurring challenge that occurs on average every third year, serving as the primary constraint on the expansion of the agricultural sector.1

The impact on farming and food production is significant due to the following factors:

• Volatility in Production: Because agricultural output is highly dependent on annual precipitation, the frequent occurrence of drought creates instability in the sector.1
• Cereal Vulnerability: The cereal-growing lowlands are particularly at risk, as they are subject to considerable variations in rainfall. While soils like tirs can produce good yields of wheat and barley when precipitation is sufficient, they rely heavily on consistent moisture.12
• Climate Drivers: Drought is often triggered when high-pressure ridges develop offshore during the rainy season, shifting storm systems away from the country. Additionally, the cold Canary Current contributes to atmospheric stability, which further reduces the potential for precipitation.3

While Morocco has significant agricultural potential and is actively developing its irrigation capacity to mitigate these risks, the persistent threat of drought remains a major hurdle to achieving consistent food self-sufficiency.1