Latest news with #GreenGeneration
Zawya
7 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
African Development Bank approves $117mln to empower women, youth entrepreneurs in Morocco
RABAT: The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a €100 million loan to support Morocco's inclusive solidarity-based agriculture programme, focused on empowering women and young people. The project aims to generate sustainable economic opportunities for women and youth, boost food security, and strengthen the resilience of small-scale farming against climate change. It will stimulate entrepreneurship through tailored financing and incentive mechanisms and by bolstering technical and financial support systems. The programme will also facilitate the deployment of new agricultural production and service infrastructure, helping to anchor women in local value chains, strengthen their skills, and boost their productivity. These actions will encourage the emergence of women entrepreneurs across agriculture, agro-processing and digital technologies. It will support the new roadmap for employment by promoting rural entrepreneurship. "Women who have the ambition to undertake and succeed in agriculture are our priority," said Achraf Tarsim, head of the African Development Bank country office in Morocco. 'Through this new operation, we will support them step by step to build a modern, inclusive and resilient agriculture, capable of revealing the full potential of those who aspire to innovate and create value and employment in their territories." Aligned with Morocco's priorities, the programme will support the implementation of the Green Generation 2020-2030 Strategy, Morocco's plan for transforming agriculture into a more inclusive, sustainable and efficient sector; the National Solidarity Agriculture Program, and the National Youth Entrepreneurship Programme. For more than 50 years, the AfDB invested nearly €15 billion in more than 150 high-impact projects in strategic sectors such as transport, water, energy, agriculture, social protection, governance and finance.
Zawya
21-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Morocco: African Development Bank approves €100 Million to empower women and youth entrepreneurs in building inclusive and sustainable agriculture
The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group ( has approved a €100 million loan to support Morocco's inclusive solidarity-based agriculture program, focused on empowering women and young people. The project aims to generate sustainable economic opportunities for women and youth, boost food security, and strengthen the resilience of small-scale farming against climate change. It will stimulate entrepreneurship through tailored financing and incentive mechanisms and by bolstering technical and financial support systems. The program will also facilitate the deployment of new agricultural production and service infrastructure, helping to anchor women in local value chains, strengthen their skills, and boost their productivity. These actions will encourage the emergence of women entrepreneurs across agriculture, agro-processing and digital technologies. It will support the new roadmap for employment by promoting rural entrepreneurship. "Women who have the ambition to undertake and succeed in agriculture are our priority," said Achraf Tarsim, head of the African Development Bank country office in Morocco. 'Through this new operation, we will support them step by step to build a modern, inclusive and resilient agriculture, capable of revealing the full potential of those who aspire to innovate and create value and employment in their territories." Aligned with Morocco's priorities, the program will support the implementation of the Green Generation 2020-2030 Strategy, Morocco's plan for transforming agriculture into a more inclusive, sustainable and efficient sector; the National Solidarity Agriculture Program, and the National Youth Entrepreneurship Program. For more than 50 years, the African Development Bank Group has supported the Kingdom in a partnership based on a shared and integrated vision of development. Over the period, the Bank invested nearly €15 billion in more than 150 high-impact projects in strategic sectors such as transport, water, energy, agriculture, social protection, governance and finance. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB). About the African Development Bank Group: The African Development Bank Group is Africa's premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information:
Morocco World
22-04-2025
- Climate
- Morocco World
Morocco's Farming Season ‘Promising' as Rain Boosts Crops and Livestock
Meknes – Morocco's farming season is 'promising by all standards' after recent rainfall and grain harvest are expected to jump by 41%, to reach 44 million quintals, says Morocco's Agriculture Minister Ahmed El Bouari. Speaking at the high-level talk on farming and water during the 17th International Agricultural Fair in Meknes (SIAM), El Bouari explained that March and early April brought much-needed rain. 'It had a very positive impact on the agricultural situation in various regions of the Kingdom despite a difficult start to the season,' he said. That rain has helped crops grow better and given a real boost to farmers. 'The vegetative cover of autumn cereals has greatly improved, especially in the best-suited areas,' the minister added. El Bouari also pointed out that the rain has helped grass grow back. This will help with raising the herd count, a key goal after years of drought. 'This will support the royal message urging citizens to refrain from the Eid ritual slaughter this year, allowing national herds to reproduce and gradually return to pre-2020 levels,' he said. The ministry is also putting together a full support plan to help herders and improve livestock production. 'We are preparing an integrated programme to support breeders and increase national herd productivity, a necessity to achieve food security in this field,' explained Bouari. The rain hasn't just helped the land and livestock, it's also improved the country's water situation. 'The blessed rains of this season have contributed to a tangible improvement in the water situation, which bodes well for a bold irrigation programme this summer,' he said. The government will roll out a new irrigation plan soon, working closely with the Ministry of Water. At the same talk, Bouari reminded everyone that Morocco has faced its longest drought in recent years. 'Our country has experienced, over the last seven years, the longest drought period marked by a severe rainfall deficit, which negatively affected the agricultural sector and rural economy,' he said. But thanks to early planning and investment under the Green Morocco Plan, the country kept farms running and markets stocked. 'We will continue to implement the Green Generation strategy, prioritizing human development and adapting agriculture to national and international changes,' El Bouri said. A big part of the plan is using water more wisely. The goal is to get more farms using water-saving drip systems, boosting coverage from 54% now to over 70% by 2030. 'We are confident that ensuring irrigation water supplies, in line with the royal directives, will enhance our country's resilience to climate change and preserve our competitiveness in global markets,' he said. El Bouari added that 'His Majesty has instructed us to ensure drinking water for all citizens and cover at least 80% of irrigation needs across the country, whatever the circumstances.' Wrapping up, El Bouari said the goal is clear: 'To steer discussions toward concrete and realistic proposals to align water and agriculture policies, bolster irrigation efforts, and reduce the agricultural sector's vulnerability to climate change.' Tags: farmingMoroccoSIAM 2025Water irrigation program
