Morocco’s Agricultural Development Agency (ADA) has launched a new public-private partnership operation to make 5,249.32 hectares of privately owned agricultural land available for the development of agricultural projects. This initiative, which will be promoted in nine regions of the Kingdom, aims to attract investors by offering them numerous opportunities, such as tree plantations, vineyards, livestock and annual crops.
According to Moroccan media reports, the cooperation agreements can last up to 40 years, depending on the nature of the projects, and are part of the Green Generation strategy (2020-2030) aimed at boosting the agricultural sector while stimulating employment in rural areas.
The ADA will invite prospective investors to apply for the management of 5,249.32 hectares under 96 agricultural projects. This area will be divided between Casablanca-Settat (1,158.57 ha), Marrakech-Safi (675.46 ha), Draâ-Tafilalet (1,006.37 ha), Rabat-Salé-Kénitra (524. 78 ha), Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima (563.82 ha), Oriental (398.16 ha), Fez-Meknes (802.19 ha), Souss-Massa (62.48 ha) and Béni Mellal-Khénifra (57.45 ha).
Under the regulations governing this operation, the partnership agreement between the selected investor and the state will be concluded for a period of 40 years from its entry into force for projects relating mainly to tree and vine plantations, as well as agro-industrial infrastructure projects.
For livestock projects, on the other hand, the duration is 25 years. For livestock projects involving processing units, such as slaughterhouses or cutting plants, the lease term will be extended to 40 years, while for annual crops projects the lease term is 17 years. Bidders have until 30 September to submit their bids.
It should be noted that the public-private partnership for agricultural land consists of the long-term lease of such land to developers who undertake, within a contractual framework with the State, to carry out agricultural investment projects that will enhance the value of the land and at the same time create jobs in rural areas.
These lands are awarded through calls for tenders launched by the ADA and supervised by an inter-ministerial committee composed of, among others, the Directorate of Rural Affairs of the Ministry of the Interior, the Directorate of State Property of the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Moroccan Agency for Investment and Export Development. The leasing of state-owned agricultural land is in line with the main axes of the Green Generation strategy (2020-2030), in particular the second pillar on the sustainability of agricultural development.