Morocco Faces Worst Drought in Over Four Decades

Moroccan Minister of Agriculture, Mohamed Siddiqi, stated on Friday that "the government is working to strengthen production chains by supporting prices of seeds and fertilizers to reduce production costs and encouraging the cultivation of plants that can adapt to climatic conditions, amid the worst drought crisis Morocco has experienced in over four decades." He noted, during a press conference held on the sidelines of the 15th International Agricultural Exhibition in Meknes, that "there are government initiatives to ensure price stability," adding that "the balance between agricultural policy and food policy is a global issue today, not just in Morocco." He confirmed that "the government aims to ensure the availability of essential products such as potatoes, tomatoes, onions, and grains," explaining that "the main obstacle is water scarcity due to drought." The minister further stated that "the major impediment is water amid the drought that Morocco experienced last year, extending into this year," adding, "We are utilizing every drop of water we have to produce what is currently available." In recent weeks, prices of vegetables and fruits have reached record levels, contributing to unprecedented increases in inflation rates and prompting the government to reduce exports of certain products to lower their prices in the local market.