Lesson Learned

The evaluator notes that a key explanation of farmers’ non-adherence to and respect of the Soil and Water Conservation Works by farmers was due primarily to the fact that farmers were neither adequately informed/trained on the utility, operation and maintenance, costs and benefits, of these works particularly on yields and environment.

The evaluator notes that a key explanation of farmers’ non-adherence to and respect of the Soil and Water Conservation Works by farmers was due primarily to the fact that farmers were neither adequately informed/trained on the utility, operation and maintenance, costs and benefits, of these works particularly on yields and environment. Consequently as farmers continued to practice intercropping after plantation of fruit trees, they were not careful in the use of agricultural machinery, which resulted in partial or complete destruction of these works. While the cost of these works was fully accounted for in the calculation of the ERR, their benefits were not considered, thus the same ERR could have been achieved with significant reduction of the investment cost. MCC and the Government of Morocco may wish to take stock of this important lesson, and take corrective measures in the implementation of ongoing Maroc Vert Program, as well as in similar future projects by both MCC and the Government of Morocco.