An interview on Morocco’s agricultural transition, with Patricia de Vries, Agricultural Counsellor in Rabat
Dutch Greenhouse Delta collaborates closely with the Agricultural Councellor Network to strengthen international partnerships in horticulture. In this interview, Patricia de Vries – Agricultural Counsellor in Rabat – shares her perspective on the developments in Morocco. This country is facing challenges, but also investing heavily in modernising its horticultural sector.
This article was originally published by AgroBerichtenBuitenland on June 27th, 2025.
Since October 2024, Patricia de Vries has been working as Agricultural Counsellor at the Dutch Embassy in Morocco. With an extensive career in Latin America and a background in agricultural engineering, she is now getting to know the Moroccan context. Her first impression upon arrival? “Rabat feels like a fairytale – but the challenges are significant.”
A new chapter
Patricia de Vries has worked for nearly 40 years at the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature. About half that time she served abroad as agricultural counsellor – from Mexico City to São Paulo, Prague, Brasília, and Bogotá.
“I’ve worked in many parts of the world, but Morocco was never really on my radar. I had never been, and didn’t have a clear picture of the country. But I’ve been positively surprised by both the country and its people. After more than six months, I really feel at home here.”
On a personal level, this posting meant a new adventure too: her husband joined her, along with their two Brazilian dogs, aged fourteen and twelve. “They make every relocation a logistical puzzle – but they’re family. Wherever we go, they go.”
Rabat by the sea
Her first impressions of Morocco were overwhelmingly positive. “Rabat is safe, clean, well-organised, and above all: welcoming. People are proud of their country and make a real effort to make you feel at home.”
The coastal location and mild climate add to the quality of life. “I love being outdoors, walking the dogs, and enjoying nature. My favourite place? The Chellah, a historical necropolis overlooking the Bouregreg river, full of storks. That’s where I truly unwind.”
Getting started
Still, the start of her posting wasn’t always easy. “There have been personnel changes, and the team was temporarily smaller. That meant slowing down and rebuilding from the ground up. First we focus on getting the basics right, then we build a strong agenda and a solid team.”
A country shaped by agriculture
One thing stood out right away: the role of agriculture in Morocco. “On paper the sector may seem small, but in reality agriculture is central to the economy and employment.” At the same time, there’s a stark contrast between two very different realities.
“Morocco has two parallel farming worlds. On one hand, a high-tech, export-driven horticulture sector that’s well organised and growing fast. Dutch involvement is already strong here – in cultivation, trade, technology, and supply. On the other hand, there’s a traditional sector made up of small family farms, often without access to irrigation or modern tools. This side of agriculture is being hit hardest by ongoing drought. And the gap between the two worlds is growing.”
According to Patricia, the transition is still leaving many farmers behind.
The challenge: water
The biggest challenge? Water. “After seven years of drought, the situation is critical. The climate is changing. Water availability determines what is possible in agriculture. Without rainfall or irrigation, there’s simply no agriculture.”
The Moroccan government is making major investments to increase supply: new dams, river links, irrigation canals, and nine desalination plants planned by 2030.
“When the urgency is clear, things can move incredibly fast here. But there’s still little focus on water saving, reuse, and efficiency. That’s where opportunities lie for collaboration with the Netherlands.”
Opportunities for Dutch involvement
Patricia sees clear potential for Dutch businesses and knowledge institutions, particularly in water-smart solutions.“We can contribute to climate-smart agriculture, precision farming, irrigation technology and water management – provided we listen carefully and align with Morocco’s needs. It’s not about Dutch solutions for Moroccan problems.”
Several Dutch companies are already active in Morocco – some since the 1990s – including Enza Zaden, Rijk Zwaan, and Koppert. All of them work through strong local partnerships.
“Put simply: no relationship, no business. If you think you can just come and do a quick deal, you’re better off staying home.”
Two tracks, two priorities
Policy-wise, Patricia sees two tracks. In the modern, export-driven sector, the focus is on trade, innovation, and earning capacity. “That’s where the business opportunities lie, also for Dutch companies.”
In the traditional sector, different priorities dominate: food security, rural income, and inclusion of youth and women. “These issues are politically more important for the Moroccan government. But they also touch on Dutch policy priorities like migration, security, and regional stability. Both tracks matter.”
Biodiversity as a connector
A third focus area for Patricia is biodiversity. “Morocco has 38 wetlands that serve as wintering grounds for Dutch migratory birds like the black-tailed godwit and lapwing. If we want to protect those populations, we need to take action here too.”
Recently, Patricia secured a project focused on protecting these birds in Morocco. For her, it’s not just a step in nature conservation, but also a gateway to dialogue, networking, and broader cooperation.
Strategic alignment
In her role, Patricia looks for ways to align with larger programmes. “The EU and FAO are both very active here in agriculture. By connecting strategically, the Netherlands can make more impact with limited resources.”
She also points to Morocco’s broader export profile: one quarter vegetables, one quarter fruit, one quarter fish – and the rest a mix of other products.
“The fish sector is often overlooked, but it’s big here – and interesting for Dutch companies in aquaculture, feed, and processing.”
Invest in relationships
Finally, Patricia has clear advice for Dutch companies interested in the Moroccan market: “Invest in relationships. Doing business here is all about trust. You need to be physically present, find a reliable partner, and really build a connection. Without trust, nothing moves.”
The opportunities are there. “The Moroccan government is surprisingly open and solution-oriented. They want to move forward. But in their own way – and rightly so. If we respond to that with respect and real partnership, we can achieve a lot together.”
Partners in Business: collective strength
There is growing interest from Dutch businesses in developing the Moroccan horticulture sector. Several projects are already underway, some with support from the Dutch government.
A new Partners in Business (PIB) programme will soon launch in Morocco, focusing on the combination of horticultural technology and water management. According to Patricia, this public-private programme is a unique opportunity for the Netherlands to present a shared message in the Moroccan market. “There is momentum. Climate change, drought, crop diseases, and stricter quality demands are creating strong demand for innovative yet affordable solutions – the kind the Netherlands can offer.”
Patricia emphasises: the PIB programme is not about pushing Dutch products. “We want to contribute to Moroccan solutions. And who knows – those solutions might lead to innovations that can be used elsewhere in Africa too.”
The PIB is coordinated by Dutch Greenhouse Delta. Companies interested in participating or learning more can contact Mirjam Boekestijn and Giovanni Angiolini.
