This course explores agricultural systems in geographically diverse regions of Morocco, the impacts of water scarcity on food production and society and approaches to mitigating and adapting to climate change. Morocco lies in the northwest corner of the African continent. It occupies a land area roughly equal to that of the state of Texas. Despite its relatively small size, Morocco stands out for its notable role in the fight against climate change. Due to declining rainfall and an increase in the severity and frequency of drought in recent decades, the Moroccan government has taken a comprehensive approach to reducing negative impacts on its citizens and promoting climate resilience. Agriculture, which comprises nearly 15% of the GDP of the country and employs nearly 40% of the population, is an important target for these efforts. Food security and economic stability are tightly linked to water availability. We will explore how agricultural systems in different regions are adapting to increasing water scarcity using diverse approaches including modification of production practices and technology. We will also consider the critical involvement of youth in agriculture. Despite improvements in agricultural productivity in recent years, the future of Moroccan agriculture is uncertain. While climate change is a clear threat, diminishing interest in agriculture among Moroccan youth is a growing concern. Youth ages 15-26 years old comprise about 26% of the country's population. Migration of youth from rural areas, especially in the mountain and dry-land regions, has accelerated in recent years largely due to increasing water scarcity and economic hardship. This represents the loss of human capacity in rural areas, increasing stress on resources in urban areas and the potential for growing social unrest. We will speak with community groups, organizations that work with young Moroccans and with young people themselves to understand the challenges they face and to learn about education and training efforts to promote youth participation in the agricultural economy. In addition to learning about the unique agricultural systems of Morocco, students in this course will gain appreciation for the history, culture, and traditions of the country. For more than five thousand years, Morocco has been the stage for cultural and economic exchange between Northern and sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and Western Europe. Its modern culture is a beautiful and fascinating blend of Berber, Arab, Jewish, and Western European influences. This program involves pre-departure, in-country, and post-return activities and assignments. Pre-departure work will acquaint you with the country and culture of Morocco and introduce concepts that we will use throughout the program. In Morocco, you will experience the people, culture, and agriculture first hand. You will attend lectures, visit farms, converse with producers, meet with leaders of agricultural cooperatives and business owners and interact with Moroccan youth and leaders of organizations who work with youth. You will work independently and with a group to collect and interpret information and prepare presentations. We will visit historical and cultural sites of interest, interact with the people, and enjoy Moroccan cuisine. These experiences will provide rich opportunities for reflection and journal writing. Upon return to the U.S., you will finish the final reflection and complete the course survey.
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