The 2022-2023 agricultural season recorded a national cumulative rainfall of 247 mm up to July 20, 2023, down 32% compared to a normal season (362 mm) and up 22% compared to the previous season (202 mm).
The temporal rainfall distribution was characterized by delayed rains at the start of the season as well as early cessation of rains, the ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests said in a press release.
Regarding the water situation, the agricultural season experienced a significant water deficit, while large dams recorded low filling rates, particularly in Haouz and Tadla regions, the ministry noted, adding that in the exception of Gharb and Loukkos regions where irrigation continued normally, the other large areas suffered restrictions or even a cessation of irrigation.
Concerning temperatures, this season was marked by significant variability in minimum and maximum temperatures, leading to disruptions in crop production cycles, notably tomatoes in February and cereals in March and April, the ministry pointed out in its review of the 2022-2023 agricultural season.
It added that this agricultural season is part of a climatic sequence of 5 difficult years, marked by the succession of dry years (4 out of the last 5 years), noting that the vegetation index of this season was significantly lower than the average.
The ministry also recalled that an emergency plan of 10 billion dirhams was devised and launched in July by the government in application of the High Royal Directives aimed at mitigating the effects of the difficult climatic situation and the global situation on farmers and the rural economy.
Other 5 billion dirhams were allocated to the protection of animal capital, through the subsidy of barley and imported feed intended for livestock and poultry, and 4 billion dirhams to the protection of plant capital, through subsidizing the prices of some inputs such as seeds and fertilizers to enable a reduction in production costs for a series of vegetables and fruits.
In addition, an envelope of one billion dirhams was allocated to strengthening the financial capacities of Crédit Agricole du Maroc with a view to supporting farmers.
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