As of 2023, agriculture represents roughly 11% of Morocco’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product), with wheat as its largest crop. The country produces approximately 4 million metric tons of wheat annually. Because of Morocco’s semi-arid climate, farming has always presented unique challenges for the country. With the continued negative effects of global warming, these challenges have increased over the years. As crops rely on rainfall for 90% of their growing needs, one of the biggest challenges for Morocco’s agricultural industry is water scarcity.

Climate change has made droughts more frequent and severe by disrupting weather patterns and increasing evaporation. Morocco is facing its worst drought in decades due to significantly reduced rainfall and rising temperatures. Since late 2023, many agricultural regions, especially in the interior and south, have seen much less precipitation than usual. Water availability for crops, livestock, and reservoirs has declined, forcing farmers to increasingly rely on expensive irrigation or food imports to cope. However, with government support, Morocco’s agricultural industry is now getting a much-needed boost from drone technology.

Drones in agriculture are not new. Since the drone revolution began in the early 2010s, the agricultural industry has surprisingly led how this technology is innovated and applied. Farmers all over the world have been using drones throughout many aspects of their daily tasks. One of the first ways drones were used in this capacity was to collect new data sets on crops and to apply chemicals like pesticides and fertilizers. As the technology has advanced, complex, detail-oriented data sets on everything from growth cycles, hydration levels, overall plant health, harvesting readiness, pest management, and more are being conducted by drones with specialized sensors. Drones are even being used to monitor and herd livestock.

While many nations have benefited from agricultural drones, Morocco has been slow to adopt them because of cost restrictions. Until recently, the country has been heavily reliant on drones imported from countries like China and the United States. They are slowly building up a domestic drone manufacturing industry. Thankfully, drone prices have decreased, and as the country made clear at this year’s 17th Annual International Agricultural Show (SIAM) in Meknes, drones and artificial intelligence technology will be how Moroccan farmers battle native farming challenges such as drought.

For seven days, more than 1 million visitors flocked to north-central Morocco to view approximately 1,580 exhibitors boasting the latest in agricultural technology. The exhibitions were broken down into thematic hubs, several of which featured the latest in drone technology. Examples of some of the drone technology on display included drones that utilize infrared cameras to detect crop water stress, enabling farmers to pinpoint under-irrigated zones, and drones equipped with multispectral sensors designed to identify early signs of crop disease before symptoms appear.

SIAM also featured a variety of popular spraying drones from companies such as Indonesia’s PT Golden Agin Nusa with the Swan Sprayer Drone, and Morocco’s own drone wholesaler and service provider, DR Stone, which specializes in and displayed a range of DJI products at the event. These drones have features such as 20-50 liter liquid tanks, dual nozzles for even spray distribution, and automated altitude adjustment via LiDAR sensors to maintain adequate clearance above crops.

Reda El Arbaoui founded DR Stone in 2017 to promote drone and AI technology throughout Morocco, deeply understanding how vital these tools could be. “This year, more than ever, our work really matters,” Mr. Arbaoui said. “Morocco is going through a serious water crisis, and we need all the help we can get. AI helps farmers treat only what needs treating. This means less water wasted and fewer chemicals used.” He is confident that with the support of the Moroccan government, this will go beyond addressing agricultural trends. “Using less water and fewer chemicals isn’t just smart,” he said, “It’s the right thing to do.”

As Morocco continues to confront the escalating challenges of climate change and water scarcity, the integration of drone and AI technologies offers a promising path forward. By enabling more precise, efficient, and sustainable farming practices, these innovations not only help safeguard the country’s agricultural productivity but also contribute to conserving precious natural resources. With growing government support and increasing adoption among farmers, Morocco’s embrace of smart farming could serve as a model for other drought-affected regions striving to balance food security with environmental stewardship.

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