News in Brief:
– Despite ongoing drought, recent rainfall has provided partial relief for Morocco’s agriculture in the Rabat-Sale-Kenitra region, boosting production of various crops and improving forage for livestock.
– This is expected to increase milk and red meat yields, but other challenges persist.
As Morocco continues to grapple with ongoing drought conditions, recent rainfall has provided some much-needed relief for the country’s struggling agricultural sector, according to a statement from the Regional Directorate of Agriculture (RDA).
The statement highlights the positive impact of the rainfall on the Rabat-Sale-Kenitra region’s agricultural landscape, particularly for the 2023-2024 agricultural campaign. It is expected to contribute to increased production of autumn cereals, legumes, agro-pastoral crops, winter vegetables, and fruit trees.
Despite the initial water deficit faced at the start of the campaign, significant progress has been made in planting autumn and winter crops. Nearly 490,000 hectares have been sown with autumn cereals, exceeding 92% of the targeted program. Additionally, substantial areas have been dedicated to planting vegetables, sugar crops, and forage crops.
Also, the RDA stresses the implementation of direct sowing techniques to further improve agricultural efficiency. As of now, around 57% of the targeted 60,000 hectares have been cultivated using this method.
Supporting the livestock sector
Furthermore, In addition to supporting crop production, the statement details efforts undertaken to bolster the livestock sector. These measures include an extensive vaccination campaign to protect cattle, sheep, and goats from diseases, alongside the distribution of subsidised barley and compound fodder to alleviate the financial burden caused by rising fodder prices for livestock breeders.
The recent rainfall is not only benefiting crops but also improving forage crops in both irrigated areas and non-irrigated (Bour) land. This improvement is expected to mitigate the impact of water shortages on animal production, potentially leading to increased milk and red meat yields throughout the region.
While the recent rainfall offers temporary relief, Morocco continues to face a challenging drought situation. The RDA’s statement highlights the ongoing efforts being made to support both crop and livestock production amidst these difficult circumstances.
