RABAT, Jan 27 (Reuters) - Morocco's economic growth is expected at 4.5 percent in 2017 versus 1.6 percent last year, and the government is targetting a deficit of 3 percent this year against 3.9 percent in 2016, the finance ministry said on Friday.

Agriculture accounts for about 15 percent of Morocco's economy and is the biggest employer, accounting for nearly 35 percent of the workforce. Grain harvest fell 70 percent last year after the worst drought in decades.

Last year the government had targeted a budget deficit of 3.5 percent.

The drop in global oil prices has also helped revive Morocco's public finances and reduced deficits in the region's biggest energy importer, giving the country more room to manoeuvre.

(Reporting by Aziz El Yaakoubi: writing by Patrick Markey) ((pat.markey@thomsonreuters.com; +213-661-692993; Reuters Messaging: pat.markey.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))