Reconfiguring the Moroccan Agricultural Model: A Systemic and Paradoxical Exploration

This paper examines the complexities of the Moroccan agricultural model from a systemic and paradoxical viewpoint. It highlights the fundamental contradiction facing Moroccan agriculture: balancing export-driven growth and global competitiveness with rising ecological challenges and social inequalities, especially amid increasing water scarcity. Despite a strong export performance, Morocco’s agricultural sector remains fragile because of environmental and social vulnerabilities worsened by climate change and resource limitations. By reviewing national policy development and analyzing the tensions between economic, social, and environmental domains, this study proposes an integrative governance framework grounded in paradox theory. Using case studies from key value chains, including fertilizers, fruits and vegetables, sugar, and wheat, the research underscores the need for systemic governance, and questions the traditional techno-economic model. The findings indicate that Morocco’s agricultural transformation must align with broader global trends in industry, technology, and geopolitics. Policies should aim to balance strategic sovereignty with global integration and ecological transitions. The paper emphasizes that Morocco’s strategic assets, including its advantageous position in agricultural inputs and its emerging scientific ecosystem, can support necessary advancements in the agri-food sector, ultimately fostering a systemic model that combines economic prosperity and national sovereignty.