Morocco and China step up work on agriculture and water security
Morocco and China say they will deepen cooperation to improve water security and strengthen farming systems.
MOROCCO – Morocco’s Minister of Agriculture Ahmed El Bouari met China’s Minister of Water Resources Li Guoying in Marrakech.
They met on the sidelines of the World Water Congress and held a discussion that centered on water security and food needs in both countries.
El Bouari said the two countries will keep working together because they share long-term interests in sustainable growth. He added that both sides want to improve water and farming systems in a way that supports stable economies.
El Bouari said he welcomed the progress in agricultural cooperation, especially in agronomic research, technology transfer, farming upgrades, and the growth of skills across sectors. He also reminded the Chinese delegation that Morocco joined the Belt and Road initiative in 2017.
He noted that the joint cooperation plan, which has been in place since January 2022, includes Green Belt projects that target dryland control and renewable energy.
Stronger technical cooperation
Both ministers agreed that Morocco and China need to exchange more skills and tools for irrigation, water management, and desalination. They also agreed to support fair sharing of water across different river basins.
El Bouari said Morocco hopes to gain more from Chinese experience in drip irrigation, water filtration, and inter-basin water transfer. He said investment in renewable energy and modern farming remains a priority.
Guoying said China wants to create joint solutions with partner countries, including Morocco, to deal with climate pressure and protect water supplies. He said China has made clear progress in water filtration and drip irrigation.
He added that stronger ties in advanced technologies will help both countries protect water sources and raise farm yields. He also said “Morocco and China face similar challenges in terms of water security, such as the need for desalination projects and equitable water distribution.” He noted that both sides can set shared priorities and exchange more experience.
Guoying said “knowledge and experience sharing between China and Morocco can help create concrete partnerships that address environmental challenges and strengthen food and water security in the region.” He added that Morocco and China will keep sharing skills in farming and water management with African partners.
The two ministers said they will keep working together to improve systems that support long-term water and farming needs. They also said cooperation should grow in ways that protect infrastructure and support the future needs of farmers in both countries.
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