HIBAPRESS – Rabat
Morocco and Japan signed, on Thursday in Rabat, an exchange of notes regarding a loan agreement worth 64.577 billion Japanese yen (about 3.9 billion dirhams), which aims to finance the hydro-agricultural development project for the south-eastern region of the Gharb plain.
This exchange was signed by the Minister Delegate in charge of the Budget, Faouzi Lakjaa, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Kingdom of Morocco, Nakata Masahiro, and the Director General of the Middle East and Europe Division at the Japan International Cooperation Agency, Toyama Kei, in the presence of the Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests, Redouane Arrach, and the Resident Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency in Morocco, Kawabata Tomoyuki. This project, which falls within the framework of national orientations in the field of hydro-agricultural development, especially the Green Generation strategy (2020-2030) and the National Program for the Supply of Drinking Water and Irrigation Water (2020-2027), aims to generalize modern water-saving irrigation techniques, especially drip irrigation, in order to improve the management of water resources. This financing supports a structural project that aims to improve the efficiency of water use and enhance sustainable agricultural production over an area of 30,000 hectares in the Gharb plain. It also includes the construction of main hydro-agricultural canals and related works, as well as securing existing infrastructure. Masahiro confirmed in a press statement that this signing represents an important stage in cooperation between the two countries, explaining that it is the largest project being implemented jointly by the concerned parties to support irrigation in a region facing critical water-related challenges. The Ambassador pointed out that Morocco remains a leading partner for Japan, highlighting the strength and nature of the friendly bilateral relations between the two countries, noting that the Kingdom's national priorities, especially the rational management of water and combating some illegal practices, receive continuous commitment from the Japanese side, which is proud to keep pace with these strategic orientations. He also praised Morocco's recognized expertise in the field of irrigation, expressing the satisfaction of Japanese officials with the level of cooperation achieved in this project. For his part, Tomoyuki confirmed that this project is a big step in modernizing irrigation in Morocco, in addition to responding to the growing challenges related to water scarcity. He added that this initiative will contribute to enhancing the resilience of the agricultural sector to the effects of climate change by enhancing the efficiency of water resource use, securing existing facilities, and introducing advanced irrigation techniques. He also highlighted Japan's continued commitment to supporting the Kingdom in its efforts to enhance food security and encourage sustainable and comprehensive agricultural development, explaining that this process represents a model of the strength of Moroccan-Japanese cooperation and its direct contribution to national priorities related to the management of water resources. This initiative contributes to enhancing food security by expanding and securing irrigation networks in the Gharb plain, responding to increasing pressure on water resources, and mitigating the effects of drought, while strengthening the bonds of Moroccan-Japanese cooperation for sustainable and comprehensive agricultural development.
