Japan lends Morocco US$346.7M to upgrade irrigation in key farming region
Morocco moves to strengthen its farming sector as drought continues to strain water supplies.
MOROCCO – Morocco has secured major support from Japan to expand and upgrade irrigation in the Gharb plain, a region that plays a central role in the country’s food production.
The Moroccan government signed a loan agreement worth 64.6 billion yen (346.7 million US dollars) with the Japanese Embassy and the Japan International Cooperation Agency in Rabat on November 20.
Officials described the funding as a timely boost for a sector that continues to feel the effects of repeated drought seasons since 2019.
A senior government source told local media that the project will cover about 30,000 hectares using water drawn from the Al Wahda Dam. The source said the plan will roll out modern irrigation systems across the area.
Authorities expect the new systems to raise water efficiency and help farmers maintain stable harvests. One official said “the work targets better control of water use so farmers can keep production steady even in dry years.”
The Ministry of Agriculture views this step as essential for the region’s future. A ministry representative said “farmers in the Gharb plain rely on irrigation for most of their output, so we want to give them tools that help them stay productive.”
Irrigated farming drives national output
Irrigation plays a major role in Morocco’s farming sector. Government data shows that irrigated zones produce about 45 percent of all farm value and account for 75 percent of agricultural exports.
These areas also generate 86 percent of the country’s industrial crops. With farming contributing roughly 10 percent of national GDP, officials see stronger irrigation networks as a way to support the wider economy.
Local analysts point out that the country cannot depend on rainfall alone. They note that Morocco has faced several dry seasons in a row, and water shortages continue to hurt farmers. The new project aims to reduce this pressure by supplying more reliable water to Gharb farmers.
Support builds momentum ahead of new planting season
The loan comes shortly after the launch of Morocco’s 2025 and 2026 farming season on November 14. The ministry plans to plant more than four million hectares of cereals and pulses during this cycle.
As part of this effort, the government wants to advance its program that supports extra irrigation for cereal crops. Officials hope to reach one million hectares under this program by 2030.
Government teams say the new Japanese loan will help them move faster toward that goal. One official said “this support gives us room to move forward with our plans and help more farmers prepare for the next seasons.”
The government expects work on the Gharb project to begin soon. Authorities believe the upgrades will give farmers in the region more stability as the country continues to deal with dry conditions.
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