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Agriculture Investments

Morocco Allocates MAD 10.3Bn for Agricultural Development in Earthquake-Affected Regions

Key Takeaways

  1. Morocco Allocates MAD 10.3Bn to develop agriculture in regions affected by the September 8 earthquake.
  2. The program focuses on both agricultural and forestry sectors and is based on assessing damages.
  3. The agricultural component, costing MAD 7.6 billion, includes infrastructure development, upgrading rural markets, and revitalizing animal production.
  4. The forestry component, estimated at MAD 2.7 billion, aims for soil and water preservation and ecotourism development.
  5. The program will be implemented over five years in two phases, starting with an emergency phase in October.

Morocco’s Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests, Mohamed Sadiki, announced that the government has allocated MAD 10.3 billion to develop agriculture in regions affected by the earthquake that struck the kingdom on September 8.

Agricultural Component

The program’s agricultural component, costing MAD 7.6 billion, is based on three main points:

  • Infrastructure Development: This includes the creation of 1,153 kilometers of rural agricultural circuits, the construction of stone dykes to protect against erosion, and the rehabilitation of 718 kilometers of canals in small irrigation schemes.
  • Upgrading Rural Markets: The program aims to rehabilitate 33 weekly rural markets and 13 slaughterhouses, including three dedicated to poultry. It also plans the development of 680 shelters and animal stables.
  • Revitalizing Animal Production: This involves 40 solidarity agriculture projects, the distribution of 650,000 quintals of barley, and compensation for livestock losses suffered by breeders in the affected areas.

Forestry Component

The forestry component of the program, estimated at MAD 2.7 billion, focuses on:

  • Preservation of water and soil.
  • Rehabilitation of water basins and forests.
  • Development and promotion of ecotourism in the Toubkal National Park.
  • Distribution of 5,000 heating stoves and 10,000 tonnes of firewood.

Implementation Phases

The program will be implemented over five years, divided into two phases:

  • First Phase: An emergency phase beginning in October with a budget of MAD 611 million to repair earthquake damage and allow farmers to resume activities.
  • Second Phase: Aimed at strengthening the development of these regions through new projects that align with the “Generation Green” strategy to modernize production systems, create employment, and improve farmers’ income.

Photo by Hatim Belyamani on Unsplash 

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