The average cumulative rainfall recorded up to April 2024 has reached 224 mm, up 9% compared to the same period last year, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests, Mohamed Sadiki, said Tuesday.
Speaking at the House of Councilors’ question time, Sadiki underlined that although this figure remains 27% lower than a normal agricultural year, i.e. the average of the last 30 years, the overall dam reserves used in agriculture currently stands at 31%, compared to 32% last year, or around 4.3 billion cubic meters (m3).
The minister pointed out that this situation has had an impact on the share of water allocated to large irrigated areas, which does not exceed 680 million m3 for the current agricultural season, of which 300 million m3 have been used since the start of the year, noting that the irrigable area in these large areas does not exceed 400,000 hectares out of a total of 800,000 ha, i.e. a 44% decline.
Concerning the state of crops to date, he noted that the area sown with autumn and winter crops, particularly autumn cereals, amounts to around 2.5 million ha, compared to 4 million ha during normal seasons, a 31%, drop adding that recent rainfall in some regions could improve the cereal situation.
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.