Morocco continues to face a significant gap between food availability and food security, particularly in rural areas, despite its strong agricultural production, a senior Health Ministry official said Saturday.
Speaking at the 18th International Agriculture Fair in Meknes, Hasnaa Kmih, head of the National Nutrition Program at the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, said the country’s latest national nutrition survey revealed persistent child malnutrition alongside rising obesity rates.
“The issue is not an admission of failure, but rather a call for collective action,” Kmih said during a scientific session held at the annual agricultural forum.
According to the 2020 national nutrition survey, 15% of Moroccan children under the age of 5 suffer from stunted growth, a form of chronic malnutrition that is often irreversible.
At the same time, about 10.7% of children in the same age group face overweight or obesity problems, creating what officials described as a “double burden” of malnutrition and overnutrition.
Kmih said the rate of undernutrition can double in some rural areas, reaching nearly 30%, with three regions particularly affected: Beni Mellal-Khenifra, Marrakech-Safi and Draa-Tafilalet.
She noted the paradox that these regions are among Morocco’s main agricultural zones, yet their populations — especially children — are among those most affected by poor nutrition.
“The major contradiction is that these are agricultural regions, yet their residents, particularly the youngest, suffer the most from malnutrition,” she said.
In response, Morocco has adopted a multi-sector national nutrition strategy for 2024–2030 built around five main pillars.
The strategy includes direct nutrition interventions, sustainable food systems, food diversification, food fortification, reformulation of products to reduce sugar, fat and salt, as well as reducing food waste.
Kmih stressed that improving nutrition also requires diversifying crops and ensuring affordable access to locally produced legumes, fruits and vegetables.
She said only 10% of Moroccan households currently achieve adequate dietary diversity by consuming at least five food groups per day.
She also highlighted the need for stronger nutrition education through agricultural advisers and community mediators to promote healthier eating habits, reduce food waste and improve public awareness.
Kmih said the Health Ministry remains committed to coordinating with the Agriculture Ministry, with support from the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, to make food systems more nutrition-focused.
“Malnutrition is a societal problem, and its solution can only be collective,” she said.
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