馃嚥馃嚘MoroccoNorth Africa
Morocco launches program to protect Saharan regions from climate change impacts
via Le Matin2 min read
Morocco's Ministry of Equipment and Water, through its Water Research and Planning Directorate DRPE, is implementing a new supervision system to address climate change impacts in the Saharan provinces of Tinghir, Zagora, Ouarzazate, Errachidia, Midelt, and Figuig. These regions face erratic rainfall, over-exploited groundwater, and inadequate sanitation in rural areas, making climate resilience a state priority. The initiative is part of the Blue Economy Program for Results PPR, co-financed by the World Bank, and aligns with Morocco's Nationally Determined Contribution NDC. A consulting firm will oversee the execution, control, and environmental monitoring of projects for two years, divided into two geographical lots. Interventions include liquid sanitation in rural centers, rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge thresholds, and environmental upgrades for rural schools. The latter component aims to integrate climate resilience into educational facilities, improving hygiene and sanitation to support girls' schooling. Beyond infrastructure, the program seeks to strengthen inter-ministerial coordination among environment, agriculture, water, and social protection ministries, and enhance institutional mechanisms for an integrated territorial approach to climate action. The DRPE's supervision mechanism serves as a governance laboratory, with its success and World Bank funding disbursements directly tied to PPR indicators.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Matin.
Morocco has achieved a new record in tangerine exports to the United Kingdom, sending 71,600 tons valued at over 60 million British pounds between October 2025 and April 2026. This represents a nearly 20% increase over the previous record, according to EastFruit. In February and March 2026, Moroccan tangerines accounted for more than half of the UK market for the first time. The UK is a highly competitive European market for tangerines, with strong consumption during Christmas and stable demand in summer. Historically, Spain dominated the British winter market, but post-Brexit phytosanitary rules have leveled the playing field. This Moroccan success comes as Spain faces drought and heatwaves impacting yields. While Morocco also experiences water constraints, investments in desalination and production support have helped stabilize its supply. The Nadorcott variety has been a key factor, with its licensing liberalization expanding access to over 3,000 Moroccan producers. Its harvest period from January to April aligns with a slowdown in Spanish exports to the UK. This trend is part of a broader increase in Morocco's presence in the UK fresh produce market, where it is already a major supplier of raspberries and blueberries.
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