Morocco’s Green Morocco Plan: Infrastructure for Agri-Exports

Morocco’s agricultural transformation, anchored in the Green Morocco Plan (Plan Maroc Vert or PMV), has positioned the kingdom as a strategic agricultural exporter in North Africa. Launched in 2008, the PMV has been a defining feature of Morocco’s development strategy, with a clear emphasis on leveraging infrastructure modernisation to enhance agricultural productivity and strengthen high-value export chains.

The Strategic Foundation of the Green Morocco Plan

Morocco’s agricultural sector historically oscillated between state-led import substitution and liberalisation under structural adjustment reforms. Recognising persistent inefficiencies—low productivity, water scarcity, and rural underdevelopment—the PMV was designed as a dual-pillar strategy. Pillar I aimed at developing high-performance, market-oriented agriculture, while Pillar II focused on smallholder inclusion and rural development.

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Central to the PMV was a commitment to agricultural infrastructure modernisation. This included:

• Expansion and modernisation of irrigation systems (notably drip irrigation)

• Construction of cold storage and post-harvest handling facilities

• Upgrades to rural roads and market logistics

• Aggregation projects linking small farmers to larger export-oriented value chains

The aim was not only to improve yields but to align Moroccan agriculture with the stringent sanitary, phyto-sanitary, and logistical requirements of international markets, particularly the EU.

Infrastructure as a Catalyst for Export Growth

Morocco’s export-led agricultural strategy under the PMV focused on high-value crops such as citrus, olives, tomatoes, and berries. Export earnings from agricultural products more than doubled between 2008 and 2020, with key markets in Europe, Russia, and the Middle East.

To support this, the state invested in a multi-tiered infrastructure system:

a. Irrigation and Water Efficiency

Faced with water scarcity, the PMV prioritised irrigation modernisation. The National Irrigation Water Saving Program converted over 500,000 hectares to localised irrigation systems. This not only conserved water but also enabled precision agriculture for export crops.

b. Agri-logistics Platforms

The construction of agri-logistics hubs in strategic regions (e.g., Souss-Massa, Oriental, and Gharb) allowed better collection, sorting, packaging, and distribution of perishable goods. These hubs became essential for maintaining product quality in the cold chain from farm to port.

c. Port and Transport Connectivity

Investment in transport corridors, notably the Tanger-Med port and road/rail links to production zones, reduced export lead times. Efficient customs processing further supported Morocco’s role as a reliable agri-exporter.

d. Agropoles and Innovation Zones

The creation of regional agropoles (agriculture-industrial parks) facilitated the co-location of farmers, processors, and exporters. These zones provided incentives for agribusiness investment and fostered vertical integration within value chains.

Employment Impacts and Rural Transformation

The PMV’s emphasis on infrastructure and value chain development had complex labour market effects. While traditional jobs declined due to mechanisation, new employment opportunities emerged in agro-processing, logistics, and services.

• An estimated 250,000 direct jobs were created during the PMV’s implementation period.

• Skills training programs enabled rural youth and women to engage in higher-value agricultural work.

• Aggregation schemes empowered smallholder farmers through cooperative models and contract farming.

However, the benefits were uneven. While export zones flourished, rain-fed areas with poor infrastructure lagged behind, highlighting the need for more inclusive spatial planning.

Generation Green 2020-2030: Deepening the Infrastructure Agenda

The Generation Green strategy, launched in 2020, builds on PMV’s gains with a stronger focus on human capital and climate resilience. Infrastructure remains pivotal, but with new priorities:

• Digitisation of agricultural processes (precision farming, real-time market access)

• Mobilisation of collective lands for young agripreneurs

• Expanded cold chain networks to reach remote areas

• Renewable energy integration in irrigation and processing

The goal is to double agricultural GDP contribution and create 400,000 new jobs by 2030. This marks a shift from “growth through investment” to “growth through sustainability and inclusion.”

Conclusion: A Model for Agri-Export Infrastructure in Africa

Morocco’s Green Morocco Plan offers a replicable model for developing countries seeking to transform agriculture through infrastructure. Key lessons include:

• Align infrastructure with specific export value chains

• Blend public investment with private aggregation schemes

• Address spatial inequalities in infrastructure access

• Integrate climate-smart and digital technologies early on

As global demand for safe, traceable, and sustainably produced food grows, Morocco’s experience underscores the importance of integrated, future-oriented infrastructure in turning agriculture into a high-value economic engine.

Morocco’s ability to maintain policy continuity while upgrading its infrastructure toolkit makes its agricultural sector not only more competitive but more resilient—an increasingly vital asset in an era of global supply chain disruptions and climate volatility.