Agriculture in Morocco is considered one of the most important sectors affecting the reality of society and the state in general.
Agriculture in Morocco
The size of the agricultural area in Morocco
Agriculture – as a population activity – includes agriculture and the associated agricultural and animal production activities. This activity is sponsored in the state by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fishing, Rural Development, Water and Forests.
The agricultural area is estimated at about 8.7 million hectares, more than half of this area is devoted to the cultivation of cereals. Although the cultivation of cereals occupies 52% of the area of agricultural land, it brings the state an income of only 19%.
agricultural sector problems
The agricultural sector in Morocco was suffering from several problems and facing difficulties represented by drought, lack of investment opportunities, and lack of adequate income for the working farmer or for the state. Therefore, in 2008 the government adopted the “Green Morocco” scheme, which aims to promote agricultural activity in general.
future plans to improve agriculture
The “Green Morocco” plan has adopted a plan whose lifespan is between 10 and 15 years. This plan aspires to reach, during this period, a doubling of the agricultural gross domestic product, and the creation of one and a half million (1.5 million) additional job opportunities. It also aims to improve agricultural income and combat Poverty and improve and raise investment opportunities in the agricultural field.
The most important decision to support agriculture
This is done through a number of steps, including the following:
- Replacing the areas of grain cultivation with high-value-added crops. While we note that grain crops of all kinds achieve a very simple income, although they occupy the largest area of the agricultural area, we find that vegetable crops that do not exceed an area of 3% of the total agricultural area achieve a total income of 13%.
- Focusing on improving, developing and supporting forms of agriculture, so that two forms of agriculture are achieved in the agricultural environment: the first is: modern agriculture that uses mechanization and depends on technology, and the second is: solidarity farming and this term is intended to support simple agriculture and support farmers working in it to advance their situation and benefit from their production.
- Increasing investment opportunities in the agricultural field.
- Focusing on the production of agricultural chains that achieve investment, good returns and sustainable development, such as the production of chains of citrus, olives, dates, vegetables, and others.
- Linking these agricultural production chains to food industries such as the meat industry, fruits and vegetables, the milk industry, the grain industry and its derivatives, confectionery and chocolate products, and other industries.
Morocco Green Plan results
The Ministry of Agriculture issued a report on the results of the “Green Morocco” scheme in 2018 (6), in which it announced the following results:
- The crude agricultural internal product and agricultural exports doubled: the internal product witnessed a growth rate of 5.25%, surpassing the rest of the other government sectors, bringing the agricultural activity back to the fore as an influential economic force in the country. The country’s agricultural exports also doubled.
- The agricultural sector witnessed an improvement in the income of the worker and the realization of new job opportunities.
- Achieving food security and succeeding in achieving results for various sustainability plans, such as achieving an economy and valorizing approximately 2 billion cubic meters of irrigation water per year.
Livestock production in Morocco
- Poultry: In 2013, the production of white meat reached 500,000 tons. Poultry farming decreased in farms, where it did not exceed 10 % of production. Poultry meat is the most consumed meat in Morocco with 17 kg/person/year, or 50 % of the total meat consumption (red and white meat). Egg production is 5 billion, and as for white meat, it covers 100 % of the national needs
- Milk production: Milk production has risen sharply over the past ten years. It doubled between 2002 and 2012 and reached 2.5 billion litres. This growth was achieved thanks to the import of a herd of high-quality dairy cows, the improvement of production techniques and the control of epidemics
- Sheep: Morocco ranked 12th in the world in terms of number, with about 19 million heads in 2012
- Goats: In 2010, the number of goats was estimated at 5.6 million. Production reached 23 000 tons. There are mixed herds combining milk and meat and some dairy farms are more specialized in the production of fresh cheese
- Beef: Beef production represents 52 % of the total red meat production. Consumption is also rising: 8 kg/person/year in 2013. Objective: to improve productivity and bring it up to international standards regarding slaughtering and cutting
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