As part of the TOP course at the Andreas Hermes Academy, I was able to participate in a study trip to Morocco. During the trip, we got to know the country, its agriculture, culture, and people. We visited the region between Casablanca and Rabat.
Morocco is an economically emerging country in northwest Africa. Its strategic location between Europe and Africa makes it an important player in international trade. In addition to agriculture, tourism, industry, and mining play a central role in the country's economy. Morocco has a total area of around 446,550 km² and a population of about 37 million people. The annual rainfall varies greatly depending on the region: in the northern areas, it averages 600 to 1000 mm, while in the southern desert regions, it is often less than 100 mm per year. Agriculture is a central economic sector in Morocco, employing about 40% of the workforce. The country has around 9 million hectares of agricultural land, of which about 15% is irrigated. Water scarcity is a critical problem, especially in the dry regions. The main agricultural products are cereals (wheat, barley, maize), citrus fruits, olives, grapes, and vegetables. Morocco is one of the world's largest exporters of phosphate fertilizers, as the country has extensive phosphate deposits.
The trip made it clear to me how different agricultural structures can be worldwide and how important sustainable and cooperative developments in agriculture are. I was particularly impressed by the professional structures of agriculture on site. For example, marketing is well organized with cooperative dairies, people can continue their education in vocational training institutions, and authorities such as food safety agencies ensure safe food. However, agriculture is hampered by water scarcity in the region between Casablanca and Rabat. Farmers are clearly feeling the effects of climate change. Rainfall in the region is now only about 200 mm per hectare per year. The trip also made it clear to me how important trade is. In conversations, our local contacts showed us how important cattle exports are to them and expressed their displeasure with a proposed ban. In addition, trade in agricultural products such as oranges, avocados, and vegetables can be a way to increase the added value from agriculture. The trip also made me realize the favorable conditions under which agriculture takes place in Central Europe compared to many other regions. Fertile soils, reliable water supply, and well-developed infrastructure offer great opportunities – we need to use and appreciate these even more consciously.
The trip to Morocco sharpened my view of international agricultural markets and economic contexts. It made me realize how important the transfer of knowledge between different agricultural systems is and what challenges and opportunities arise from global trade. I take away valuable insights from this trip, particularly about the need for innovative solutions in agriculture and the importance of international cooperation. The experiences have motivated me to continue engaging with agricultural and economic developments in Africa.
