The Moroccan Minister of Agriculture, Mohamed Sadiki, affirmed this Monday that recent rains had a direct, positive impact on agriculture, especially cereals and grains.
The Minister chaired a meeting devoted to the agricultural season for spring plantings, that saw the participation of Tarek Sejlmassi, President of the Agricultural Credit Group for Morocco, and Hicham Belmarah, President and General Director of the Moroccan Agricultural Cooperative Insurance (MAMDA).
In a statement to the press, the official acknowledged that “this year has witnessed a very significant water deficit that we have not seen since 1981, but since the beginning of March the rains have returned regularly.”
He explained that the month of March was one of the rainiest months compared to last year, and compared to the average rate during the past thirty years, stressing that “the effect of rain was immediate on the crops that were not completely destroyed, such as grains.”
Sadiki stated that “about one million hectares of grain can be remedied well,” noting that the impact on the vegetation cover is important overall, especially in pastures.
The minister stressed that this would “greatly reduce pressure on livestock, breeders, meat and dairy production,” adding that “all indicators witnessed a recovery, especially prices of cattle.”
Currently, according to a ministerial communique, average national cumulative precipitation reached 60 mm this month, representing a 46% increase compared to the 30-year average, set at 41 mm. The average is also 52% higher compared to the previous season, which peaked at 39 mm.
Good agricultural results can also be expected for spring and summer vegetables, chickpeas, oilseeds, sunflowers, and corn.
Last week, the wali of Morocco’s Central Bank, Bank Al-Maghrib (BAM) said that prior to the March rains, national economic growth was estimated at 0.7% for 2022.
Only BAM took the ongoing precipitation into account and found that agricultural added value would increase by 17%, bringing growth to 4.6% by 2023.
add your comment
Terms of publication : Not to offend the writer, people, sacred things, or attack religions or the divine self, and refrain from racist incitement and insults.