Morocco Supports Over 500,000 Small-Scale Farmers with Subsidized Feed
Agriculture Minister Ahmed El Bouari announced the figures before the House of Representatives on Monday, addressing the mounting pressures small-scale herders face amid shifting weather conditions and market instability.
The subsidized feed program, rolled out in response to recurrent droughts, reaches a significant number of farmers who also rely on the government's free veterinary campaigns.
El Bouari reported that close to 17 million sheep and goats received vaccinations in recent drives, part of broader efforts to maintain animal health and protect rural livelihoods.
He also noted that nearly three-quarters of the Agricultural Development Fund's direct aid and incentives support small-scale farms.
The fund, often seen as the engine behind Morocco's rural resilience, channels resources to those with limited land and low livestock numbers.
El Bouari also talked about plans for a national program set to launch in the 2025–2026 season.
Designed as an integrated and long-term response, the initiative will center on solidarity-based agriculture, with the state fully financing animal production projects.
Authorities hope to reverse the decline in livestock numbers and help herders rebuild their flocks over the next few years.
At the heart of these efforts is the 'Generation Green' strategy, which the minister described as a roadmap tailored for small and medium-scale farmers. According to ministry data, 80% of Moroccan herders own fewer than 30 head of sheep or goats, a reality the strategy seeks to address through targeted support, infrastructure, and access to resources.
In February, Morocco officially announced the cancellation of the Eid Al Adha sacrifice, citing the ongoing drought and related difficulties that have severely affected the country's agricultural seasons and overall economy over the past six years.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Morocco World
3 hours ago
- Morocco World
Palestinians Flee Gaza Genocide, Swim to Ceuta from Morocco
Marrakech – Palestinian refugees fleeing the genocide in Gaza have begun arriving in Ceuta by swimming from Morocco. According to Spanish outlet The Objective, three Palestinians have recently reached the Spanish-controlled enclave after crossing the maritime border, seeking asylum and safety from the ongoing atrocities in their homeland. The influx of swimmers trying to reach Ceuta's shores has intensified since late July, making the Spanish enclave the latest front where migration from Morocco continues to increase. In response to this sharp spike in irregular migration attempts, Moroccan and Spanish authorities have significantly ramped up their joint security operations in recent days, as reported by El Mundo. The Spanish outlet reports that Morocco has deployed an unprecedented array of ground and maritime resources along its northern coastline, focusing on intercepting makeshift boats and preventing migrants – many of them unaccompanied minors – from reaching the Spanish enclave. While arrivals to the Canary Islands have begun to slow following agreements between the Spanish government and Mauritania, migratory pressure remains constant in Ceuta. According to the latest figures from the Spanish Ministry of Interior, 1,452 people entered Ceuta by land from January to July – a 7.2% increase compared to last year. These entries occurred via the border fence and through the breakwaters at Tarajal and Benzú. In just the last two weeks of this period, 361 people crossed into the Spanish-controlled territory. La Guardia Civil sources explain that official statistics don't fully capture the continuous attempts to enter the Moroccan Spanish-controlled city by sea. These maritime crossing attempts are, however, documented in internal reports accessible to the government delegation. This past Sunday's early morning hours saw one of the nights with the most attempts to cross into Spain. The journey migrants undertake is increasingly reckless. Swimmers only launch into the water when there's an easterly wind and dense fog covering the coast, conditions that favor their arrival. To avoid detection by La Guardia Civil, migrants are venturing farther out to sea rather than following the coastline near the breakwaters, putting their lives at serious risk. Their only lifesaving devices are tiny floats or vehicle tire inner tubes. At least 16 people have lost their lives in waters near the breakwaters this year, indicating the humanitarian tragedy unfolding in Ceuta. Ceuta's intense migratory summer The migrant population at Ceuta's Temporary Immigration Detention Center (CETI) reflects diverse nationalities beyond Moroccans, including Algerians, sub-Saharan Africans, Pakistanis, Afghans, Bangladeshis, Colombians, and Palestinians who have requested asylum in Spain. The Palestinian refugees are specifically fleeing the Gaza genocide, desperately seeking sanctuary on European soil. Just this Saturday, seven more Moroccan minors entered Ceuta by swimming from Morocco, adding to the intense migratory pressure the enclave has experienced since the beginning of summer. This occurred amid a severely overwhelmed reception system. According to data provided by the Government of Ceuta, the minors' area currently houses more than 480 unaccompanied foreign minors, despite having an optimal capacity of only 132 places. Weather conditions, especially the dense fog recorded in the early morning hours, have been crucial in facilitating these crossing attempts. Poor visibility combined with calm seas provides migrants with an opportunity to jump into the water and reach the Ceuta coast. On Saturday, fog and calm seas led dozens of people to attempt to reach the city through the maritime border at Tarajal. Local authorities anticipate that the current trend of maritime entries, favored by climate conditions and the proximity of the Moroccan coast, will continue in the coming weeks, while reception capacity remains at its limit without sufficient structural reinforcements. Read also: Over 80 Irregular Immigrants Swim to Ceuta in Summer's Largest Irregular Migration Wave
Morocco World
4 hours ago
- Morocco World
India's INS Tamal Concludes Exercise with Royal Moroccan Navy Ship Mohammed VI
Marrakech – India's newest stealth frigate, INS Tamal, completed a three-day port visit to Casablanca from August 6-9. This marks the third Indian naval vessel to visit Morocco in the past two years, in a sign of the growing maritime cooperation between the two countries. Commissioned in Russia on July 1, INS Tamal is returning to India via multiple European and Asian ports as part of India's broader maritime diplomacy efforts. During the port call, the ship's crew engaged in various activities aimed at strengthening bilateral naval relations. These included professional discussions with senior Moroccan military officials, cross-deck visits, sports competitions, yoga sessions, and cultural exchanges. The Indian Ministry of Defense stated: 'The port call at Casablanca is indicative of the importance India attaches to its relations with Morocco and the endeavour to strengthen the growing defence cooperation between the two nations. It also provided an opportunity for both navies to share best practices and explore new avenues of cooperation.' Key interactions occurred with Captain Rachid Sadrhazi, Commander of the 1st Naval Base; Captain-Major Hasan Akouli, Commander of the Central Maritime Sector; Brigadier General Jamal Kaztouf, Delegated Commander of Weapons for the Casablanca Area; and Rear Admiral Mohamed Tahin, Rear-Admiral Inspector of the Royal Moroccan Navy. Indian Ambassador to Morocco, Sanjay Rana, visited the ship, where he engaged with both Moroccan naval leadership and the Indian crew. As INS Tamal departed Casablanca, it conducted a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with Royal Moroccan Navy Ship Mohammed VI, demonstrating operational coordination between the two naval forces. This port visit builds on already substantial New Delhi-Rabat relations. Trade between the countries has shown steady growth, with India exporting $101 million to Morocco in March, while importing $46 million during the same period. The bilateral relationship underwent a profound diplomatic leap following King Mohammed VI's historic 2015 visit to India during the 3rd India-Africa Forum Summit Since then, Indian business presence in Morocco has expanded considerably, with Indian companies operating across various sectors, including automotive, IT, green technologies, and hospitality. The number of Indian companies in Morocco has grown from 12 to 40 in recent years. Notable Indian firms operating in the North African country include Tata Motors, Sterling and Wilson, Larsen and Toubro, Sumilon, and Furnace Fabrica. Defense cooperation now forms a critical axis of bilateral engagement. In 2024, Morocco received 90 military trucks from India's Tata Group. The same year, Morocco's military and TATA Advanced Systems Limited formed a partnership to domestically produce the WhAP 8×8 armored combat vehicle. INS Tamal will continue its journey home, making additional port calls that further India's diplomatic and maritime engagement across Europe and Asia. Tags: casablanca portMorocco and Indiaroyal moroccan navy
Ya Biladi
19 hours ago
- Ya Biladi
Activist Ibtissame Lachgar placed in custody over «blasphemous» t-shirt
Moroccan feminist activist Ibtissame Lachgar was taken into custody on Sunday, August 10, after posting a photo of herself wearing a t-shirt with «phrases offensive to the Divine Being», the Public Prosecutor at the Rabat Court of First Instance announced in a statement. The photo, shared on her social media account, was accompanied by a post «containing insults to the Islamic religion», the statement noted. The public prosecution has ordered an investigation into the matter and, «given the urgency», Lachgar was «placed in police custody in accordance with the law», the same source added. «The appropriate legal measures will be taken in light of the investigation's results once it is concluded», the statement specified. On social media, Lachgar's post has gone viral, drawing strong condemnation from many who called for her to be held accountable. Former Minister of Justice Mustapha Ramid also called for her prosecution, writing in a post: «The so-called Ibtissame Lachgar deserves to be questioned, if what has been attributed to her in some outlets, describing God Almighty in an inappropriate manner, is indeed true. This is not about a different opinion or personal belief, but about her deliberate insult to God Almighty, attributing to Him what should never be said or heard».
