How abundant rain in Morocco could backfire, hurt crops and farmers

Rainfall in many parts of Morocco has been above normal compared with 2025 and above average for the season overall, easing a drought that lasted about seven years.

Winter rainfall was about 95% higher than the previous year and roughly 17% above the seasonal average, helping reservoirs fill. The country’s average dam-filling rate is now around 46%, and some reservoirs are full.

That might sound like good news for farmers, especially in a country where much agriculture depends on rainfall and irrigation is limited. But heavy rain can also create serious problems for crops and the people who grow them.

One of the main risks is waterlogged soil. When soil becomes saturated, plants cannot access oxygen through their roots, slowing growth or killing plants outright. Saturated soil also prevents water from soaking deeper, causing excess rain to run off rather than helping crops.

Heavy rain can also wash away essential nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, a process known as leaching. If nutrients move out of the root zone, crops may struggle even if water is plentiful. Farmers may need to spend more on fertilizer or face lower yields.

Excess rainfall can disrupt critical farming activities, including soil preparation, planting, fertilizing, and pest control. Wet fields can prevent machinery from entering, forcing farmers to wait for soil to dry. Delays can push back planting and spraying schedules, reducing crop potential and shrinking harvests.

Constant moisture can also encourage fungal diseases that attack roots, stems and leaves. In pastures and forage crops, excess moisture can promote mold, lowering feed quality for livestock. That can harm animal health and reduce milk or meat production.

Heavy rainfall can also cause soil erosion as water moves across the surface, washing away topsoil — the layer richest in nutrients. Losing topsoil reduces fertility and can make land less productive for future seasons, forcing farmers to spend more to restore soil quality.

In other parts of the world, excess rain has already caused significant crop losses. In India last year, heavy monsoon rains flooded fields and sharply reduced yields for crops such as soybean and cotton. Some farmers reported harvests of only 2 to 3 quintals of soybean per acre, down from expected yields of 10 to 12 quintals.

While conditions vary by country, the mechanisms of flooding and waterlogging are similar.

Morocco’s recent rainfall has helped end a long drought, but the pattern and timing of rain are crucial. Rain that falls in short, intense bursts can cause waterlogging and runoff. Rain that arrives during key crop growth stages can delay fieldwork and reduce yields.

Many Moroccan farmers rely on rain-fed agriculture, especially for cereals and pulses. These crops are particularly vulnerable if too much rain arrives at the wrong time.