The Structural Stagnation of Traditional Rural Domains: The Case of the Countryside North of Fes

Abstract

The countryside north of Fes is particular in having maintained contradictory forms of economic production. However, land resources, weak state intervention, the negative effect of history over geography, and of the geographical context over society, have not been able to control the rural population as a result of growing demographic pressure. This study sheds light on the many forms of structural underdevelopment in the countryside in this part of Morocco, whose rain-fed agriculture is characterized by poor harvests and instability. The underdeveloped ownership structure, the adoption of old agricultural systems, and the prevalence of small units of production that do not meet the basic needs of farmers and their families, and weak industrial and service activity also play a part. This study accounts for this the top priority given to irrigation-based agriculture by the state in terms of equipment and the social infrastructure, while the traditional countryside, such as north of Fes, remained underdeveloped.