After seven years of drought, the northeast of Morocco is regaining its colors. From mid-December to mid-February, the Oriental region received 155 mm of regular rainfall, double that of the same period last year. For the agricultural sector, the return of water brings general relief, even if the shadow of drought continues to loom. A report with the breeders and farmers of the region, who oscillate between joy and caution regarding the future.
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In the Nador region, the rains are restoring confidence to the agricultural world
22-med – March 2026
• After seven years of drought, 155 mm of rain rekindles hope in the Oriental, while the Mohamed V dam rises to 90% capacity.
• Farmers and breeders oscillate between relief and caution, accelerating adaptation through drip irrigation and less water-intensive crops.
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If he had known that after seven consecutive years of drought, the rain would finally decide to fall, Mustapha Kerim would have planted not 60 but 120 hectares of sugar beets last October. “It’s been seven years that we’ve been waiting for a year like this,” rejoices this farmer from the Nador region. “It motivates us to return to the fields.” “In recent years, we have fought for the region to survive.” Like everywhere in Morocco, the agricultural sector in the northeast, specialized in citrus fruits, olives, and table grapes, has suffered greatly from the lack of water. “Even in irrigated areas, vast zones have been abandoned by farmers due to drought,” emphasizes Mimoune Oussar, president of the Chamber of Agriculture of the Oriental. “We have lost a significant number of hectares of citrus fruits in Berkane, and grapes in Nador.” Among the producers who have not left, many have gone into debt. “The drought has had a significant financial impact on the profession,” notes Rachid Hachi, who sells and installs irrigation systems for farmers in the region. “Some have invested all their money in their agricultural project, and faced with the low yields related to the drought, have not found a way to repay their loans or suppliers. Several of them are therefore bankrupt. Others are threatened with prison…”
Joy and Relief
The significant winter rainfall has been welcomed with joy and relief. The Mohamed V dam, the main reservoir in the region, which provides water for irrigation, is nearing its maximum capacity — 90% full today, compared to 18% last November and has even had to carry out preventive releases to avoid overflow. The same goes for the aquifers, which have been heavily relied upon due to the lack of water in the dam, which have been able to rise from 10% to 50% capacity in certain areas.
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