Morocco is entering a more promising agricultural season, with cereal production set to reach 44 million quintals, marking a remarkable 41% increase compared to the previous year. This significant rebound comes after a challenging season, during which the sector experienced a 4% decline. Minister of Agriculture Ahmed Bouari announced the positive forecast during a parliamentary session, sharing optimism about the country’s agricultural growth, which is expected to reach 5.1% this year.
The improvement in agricultural production is attributed to several factors, notably favorable weather conditions and increased support for farmers. In March, rainfall began to improve, with a total of 295 millimeters recorded by the end of April. While this is still 20% below the long-term average, it represents a 15% increase from the previous year. This uptick in rainfall has contributed to better dam reserves, with water storage for agricultural purposes reaching 5.31 billion cubic meters, up from 4.38 billion the previous season. The overall dam filling rate now stands at 38%, a crucial indicator of the country’s water availability for irrigation.
In preparation for the season, the government took several steps to support farmers and ensure higher yields. Nearly 740,000 quintals of certified seeds were sold, a 10% increase from the previous year. Additionally, authorities subsidized 1.3 million quintals of nitrogen fertilizers, benefiting approximately 78,000 farmers. To further safeguard the crops, insurance coverage was extended to 661,000 hectares of cereal crops, legumes, and oilseeds, offering protection against unforeseen challenges such as drought or disease.
Farmers planted a total of 3.11 million hectares with autumn crops this season. Of this, around 2.6 million hectares were dedicated to cereals, while 400,000 hectares were used for forage crops and 100,000 hectares for legumes. Despite these efforts, only 10% of the total area was irrigated, highlighting the challenges Morocco faces in terms of water availability for agriculture.
In addition to autumn crops, spring crop planting also progressed well, with a total of 158,000 hectares planted. Maize accounted for the largest share of this, covering 47% of the planted area, followed by chickpeas at 35%, sunflowers at 13%, and dry beans at 5%. Furthermore, sugar crop cultivation showed significant progress, with over 35,000 hectares planted with sugar beet and 1,155 hectares dedicated to sugarcane.
Vegetable production also saw steady progress. Farmers successfully completed 91% of the autumn vegetable plan, covering approximately 97,000 hectares. Winter vegetables, on the other hand, covered 65,000 hectares, reaching about 90% of the targeted area. These developments are a sign of resilience within the sector, as the country strives to meet its agricultural goals despite the hurdles posed by climate conditions.
This year’s agricultural indicators provide cautious optimism for Morocco, which has faced significant challenges in recent years due to drought and water scarcity. The recovery in cereal production and the broader agricultural sector is a testament to the country’s ongoing efforts to adapt to the pressures of climate change. With continued focus on improving water management, enhancing irrigation infrastructure, and supporting farmers with subsidies and insurance, Morocco is positioning itself to strengthen its agricultural sector and secure its food production for the future.
As Morocco looks ahead, these positive trends indicate a more stable and productive agricultural future, one that is increasingly vital to the country’s economy and food security.
