Agricultural sectors face water scarcity and demographic shifts

Agricultural sectors in Morocco and France are facing significant structural challenges ahead of upcoming political cycles. In the Doukkala region of Morocco, farmers are prioritizing water scarcity, rising production costs, and climate change as central issues for the 2026 legislative elections. Key concerns include the need for consistent irrigation, the rising cost of fertilizers, and a shortage of labor. Farmers are calling for increased desalination projects and better mechanization to stabilize strategic crops and livestock sectors.

In France, a study by Réseau Action Climat and the association SOL highlights an urgent need for agroecological transition. The French agricultural sector faces a demographic crisis, with projections suggesting it could lose nearly 50% of its workforce by 2035 due to mass retirements and low replacement rates. This demographic shift, combined with the sector's vulnerability to climate change and its contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, poses a significant threat to national food sovereignty.