Divergence Between Productive Performance and Nutrition Security in Morocco
A Critical Analysis of Institutional and Socio-economic Trajectories
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.23882/emss26335Palavras-chave:
Nutrition Security, Agricultural Policy, Food Choice, Market Intermediation, MoroccoResumo
Background: Over the last two decades, Morocco has achieved significant agricultural modernization, notably through the Green Morocco Plan (2008–2018). However, this productive success has not mitigated the emergence of a "triple burden" of malnutrition, characterized by the coexistence of undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and rising obesity rates.
Objective: This article analyzes the structural and socio-economic disconnect between Morocco’s agricultural productivity and the nutritional security of its population.
Methods: We conducted a critical review of institutional reports (HCP, CESE, IRES, MAPMDREF) and academic literature published between 2008 and 2025 to cross-reference supply-side policies with demand-side economic realities.
Results: The analysis reveals a fundamental paradox: while food availability and agricultural GDP have increased, access to a healthy diet is hindered by systemic barriers. Key obstacles include excessive market intermediation ("chennaqa"), high food inflation (1.1% increase in late 2025), and structural water scarcity. These factors push consumers, particularly in high-GDP urban hubs, to substitute fresh "Beldi" products with cheap, energy-dense processed foods.
Conclusion: Productive performance alone is insufficient to ensure nutritional well-being. The study emphasizes the urgent need for integrated food governance and justifies the adoption of a unified analytical lens, such as the Integrated Behavioral Model for Food Choice (IBM-FC / MCI-CA), to decrypt the complex interactions between environment, market, and consumer behavior.
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Direitos de Autor (c) 2026 Hajar OUEDERROU, Mounir JERRY
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