Morocco is taking a bold step into the future of farming, teaming up with China’s Jungnong Group to roll out a high-tech agricultural initiative aimed at transforming semi-arid regions into export-ready, green farming zones.
The agreement, signed with Morocco’s Ministry of Agriculture, brings in an initial investment of MAD 220 million (US $22 million) and is focused on three key goals: scaling localised drip irrigation, rehabilitating saline and alkaline soils, and cultivating low-water, high-value crops like olives, pomegranates, almonds, and figs.
At the heart of the initiative is digital innovation. Jungnong Group, an arm of China’s Agricultural Development Group, plans to introduce data-driven monitoring systems and soil nutrition management platforms designed to cut water use by up to 50%, while boosting yields by over 20% per hectare. In a region where water is increasingly scarce, this technology could be a game changer.
Beyond tech, the partnership is also about people. A vocational training centre will be established to train local workers in sustainable farming techniques and digital agriculture tools. The project is expected to create over 300 direct jobs, with a focus on skills transfer and long-term capacity building.
Morocco’s Minister of Agriculture described the project as “an integrated development model that merges technology with social impact,” underscoring its potential to drive both productivity and inclusivity in rural communities.
For Jungnong Group, the deal is more than just a single investment. It positions Morocco as a strategic gateway for expanding smart agriculture into Algeria, Tunisia, and Egypt, forming a key part of its South-South cooperation strategy across North Africa.
Analysts are calling this a “golden triangle model” that merges capital, technology, and value chains, creating a blueprint that could be replicated across other African nations facing similar challenges around food security and water scarcity.
As climate resilience and food system reform take centre stage globally, Morocco’s approach, blending sustainability with smart innovation, could become a leading example of how African countries attract and shape next-generation agricultural investment.
