Morocco has begun a comprehensive overhaul of its Agricultural Investment Code, a key law that has guided the sector since 1969. The Ministry of Agriculture announced a three-phase review process designed to modernize the framework, boost private investment, and align agricultural policy with the country’s current economic and environmental priorities.
The reform, scheduled to run over nine months, will start with a full evaluation of the existing code to assess its relevance in today’s institutional and economic context. The second phase will focus on identifying the legal tools needed to support Morocco’s agricultural ambitions, while the final stage will outline reform options and develop a roadmap for updating the legislation.
The current code governs essential areas such as irrigation, land management, production systems, and investment incentives. Officials say its modernization is crucial, especially as agriculture receives only a small share of national investment and foreign direct investment in the sector has declined sharply in recent years.
The initiative aligns with Morocco’s “Génération Green 2020–2030” strategy, which aims to increase productivity, improve rural livelihoods, and attract more private capital into the agricultural sector. Persistent drought conditions, which have contributed to the loss of nearly one million agricultural jobs since 2019, have added urgency to the reforms.
To address rural employment pressures, the government recently launched a national programme worth one billion dirhams to support job creation in rural areas.
Authorities expect that updating the investment code will help revive investor interest, strengthen sector governance, and improve resilience against climate challenges. However, experts note that the effectiveness of the reform will depend on balanced implementation and ensuring that smallholder farmers benefit alongside larger agricultural operators.
