Morocco’s agriculture minister said Friday that the government is implementing a support program for farmers affected by recent floods in northern and western regions of the country.
Ahmed El Bouari, minister of agriculture, fisheries, rural development, water and forests, said the ministry is rolling out measures to assist farmers and livestock breeders in areas hit by heavy flooding.
Speaking during a visit to the rural commune of Souaken to assess damage, El Bouari said he held meetings with agricultural professionals and representatives of regional chambers in the Gharb and Loukkos areas to discuss steps aimed at restoring agricultural activity.
He said the program is based on three main pillars. The first focuses on supporting livestock breeders and preserving herds through continued distribution of animal feed to affected farmers, along with enhanced veterinary monitoring.
The second pillar aims to salvage the current farming season by encouraging spring planting. This includes distributing subsidized seeds and fertilizers to farmers in impacted areas.
The third component centers on rehabilitating hydro-agricultural infrastructure to enable farmers to resume irrigation operations in the coming weeks. It also includes repairing and reopening damaged rural and farm roads to facilitate access to agricultural lands.
El Bouari stressed that the ministry’s central and regional services are fully mobilized, in coordination with local authorities and other stakeholders, to help farmers resume their activities as soon as possible.
For his part, Abdel Salam El Bayari, head of the agricultural chamber of the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region, said floods in the Loukkos area caused significant damage to farmland and farmers.
He said the flooding affected various crops, including vegetables, fruits, orchards and sugar-producing plants. El Bayari praised the ministry’s intervention to secure livestock feed, saying farmers were pleased with the support, which he described as crucial to protecting herds.
However, he expressed hope that the ministry would introduce a comprehensive program capable of addressing the full extent of the damage, noting that many farmers are expecting direct financial compensation.
He also urged authorities to accelerate assistance efforts and encourage farmers to cultivate vacant land by providing seeds and fertilizers, adding that any direct compensation would be welcomed by those affected.
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