Beni Mellal-Khenifra
Agricultural heartland; 44% of Morocco's phosphate (Khouribga); 70%+ national hydroelectric production; 15 dams; olive oil leader; 493k hectares irrigated.
Beni Mellal-Khénifra is Morocco's agricultural heartland with majority of economy from farming. Major crops include cereals, beetroot, olives, citrus, pomegranates; milk and meat production substantial. The region is Morocco's leading olive oil producer with sprawling groves across fertile central plains. The Ouled Abdoun Basin near Khouribga holds 44% of Morocco's phosphate reserves—Morocco controls 75% of global reserves. Khouribga (342,125 population, 2024) owes growth to phosphate since French protectorate discovery (1923). The region positions as strategic hub for renewable energy, agricultural economy, eco-tourism, and extractive industry. Hydraulic infrastructure includes 15 dams and 7 water transfer systems (3.5 billion cubic meter capacity) irrigating 493,500 hectares. Hydroelectric plants generate 1,860 million kWh annually—70%+ of national production. Automotive, IT, and food industry investments growing.