Morocco expects 41% increase in cereal production this Season, Agriculture Minister confirms

Morocco anticipates a 41% increase in cereal production for the 2024-2025 agricultural season,with harvests expected to reach 44 million quintals,Agriculture Minister Ahmed El Bouari confirmed Monday at the Chamber of Representatives.

The agricultural sector is projected to grow by 5.1% this year,rebounding from a 4% decline in the previous season. This improvement comes despite overall rainfall being 20% below normal levels,though precipitation has increased by 15% compared to last season,with cumulative rainfall reaching 295 mm by April 29.

Water reserves in agricultural dams have risen to 5.31 billion cubic meters,compared to 4.38 billion cubic meters last season,representing a filling rate of approximately 38%.

The ministry has supported farmers with various interventions,including the distribution of 740,000 quintals of selected autumn cereal seeds (a 10% increase),subsidizing 1.3 million quintals of nitrogen fertilizers for 78,000 beneficiaries,and insuring 661,000 hectares of cereals,legumes,and oilseed crops.

The area planted with major autumn crops totals 3.11 million hectares,with 10% under irrigation. This includes 2.6 million hectares of cereals,400,000 hectares of fodder crops,and 100,000 hectares of legumes. Spring crops cover approximately 158,000 hectares,with corn representing 47% of this area,chickpeas 35%,sunflower 13%,and dry beans about 5%.

Sugar crops have seen significant improvement,with sugar beet planted on more than 35,000 hectares and sugar cane on 1,155 hectares. Additionally,farmers have achieved 91% of the planned program for autumn vegetables (about 97,000 hectares) and 90% for winter vegetables (65,000 hectares).

This positive agricultural outlook signals important recovery for Morocco’s rural economy and food security following challenging previous seasons.