Morocco is accelerating its agricultural transformation through a strategic partnership with Hong Kong-based Jungnong Group, a subsidiary of China’s Agricultural Development Group. The joint venture, backed by an initial investment of 220 million Moroccan dirhams (approximately $22 million), aims to pioneer high-tech, water-efficient farming systems in Morocco, addressing the country’s challenges of water scarcity and climate volatility.
Formalized via a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Morocco’s Ministry of Agriculture, the project focuses on three core pillars: implementing localized drip irrigation systems to reduce water use by up to 50%, rehabilitating saline and alkaline soils for cultivation of previously non-arable land, and producing high-value, low-water crops such as olives, pomegranates, almonds, and figs aligned with Morocco’s climate and export ambitions.
The venture will leverage advanced agtech tools, including soil nutrition management platforms and remote monitoring systems, potentially boosting crop yields by over 20% per hectare. A vocational training center will also be established to equip Moroccan workers with skills in precision agriculture and smart farming technologies, blending technological innovation with rural development.
Morocco’s largely traditional agricultural sector, with 70% of farms family-run, stands to benefit from modernization efforts that respect local knowledge. The project also serves as a strategic hub for Jungnong’s broader North African expansion plans, targeting replication in Algeria, Tunisia, and Egypt.
This initiative aligns with Morocco’s Green Generation 2020–2030 strategy and offers a model for climate-resilient, resource-efficient agriculture relevant to other Mediterranean and Sahel countries facing similar environmental pressures. By combining capital, technology, and value-chain integration, the partnership aims to contribute to sustainable food systems and regional economic growth.
