Organic Farming Surges in Morocco: Production Triples as Farmers Embrace Sustainable Agriculture

"It (organic farming, ed.) has developed in Morocco from 4,000 hectares in 2010 to 12,000 hectares today (latest data from 2019, ed.), and in terms of production we have reached 120,000 tons, 21,000 tons are destined for export and the rest is marketed on the local market. It should also be noted that there is a strong political will in this direction and with regard to the development of organic production," summarizes Chibane Allal, an independent expert in organic agriculture, to Africanews.

Fattouma Benabdenbi Djerrari, a former sociologist turned organic farmer, owner of the Jnane Lakbir eco-farm located 20 km west of Casablanca, helps other farmers to switch from conventional to organic agriculture. "70% of agriculture is small farmers with less than five hectares, which means we can support them a lot to develop this agriculture, there are people to do it, there is already know-how that just needs to be readjusted, updated and corrected if necessary for sustainable agriculture, in any case all of Africa must move towards sustainable organic agriculture," she said.

Why choose organic farming? "I chose organic farming for several reasons, including offering the consumer a clean product. And I no longer use chemicals and fertilizers, which is why I prefer organic farming," explained the organic farmer Abdellah Laali. The transition from conventional to organic agriculture takes three to four years before the first products can be qualified as organic, it is specified.