Latest news with #Bouari
Ya Biladi
23-05-2025
- Business
- Ya Biladi
Morocco to spend 6.2 billion dirhams on livestock replenishment program
Morocco will allocate 6.2 billion dirhams to a livestock replenishment program aimed at reviving herds severely affected by years of drought, Agriculture Minister Ahmed El Bouari announced on Thursday. Spanning 2025–2026, the program will dedicate 3 billion dirhams in 2025 and 3.2 billion in 2026. It includes measures such as debt relief and restructuring for livestock farmers, as well as subsidies for animal feed, Bouari said during a press briefing following the Government Council meeting in Rabat. The program will also support farmers who retain breeding female livestock and will include veterinary campaigns, genetic improvement, and artificial insemination efforts, he added. On May 12, during a Council of Ministers, King Mohammed VI urged the government to implement a livestock replenishment program, emphasizing that support operations should be managed by committees under the supervision of local authorities. This initiative follows the King's February 26 message, in which he urged Moroccans to forgo the Eid Al-Adha sacrifice due to the country's ongoing economic and climate-related hardships that have led to a sharp decline in livestock numbers.
Morocco World
22-05-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco Launches MAD 6.2 Billion National Program to Restore Livestock Sector
Rabat – Morocco's Minister of Agriculture, Ahmed Bouari, announced on Thursday the launch of a new national program aimed at rebuilding the country's livestock sector and supporting farmers affected by persistent drought and climate fluctuations. The plan allocates MAD 3 billion ($300 million) in funding through the end of 2025, with an additional MAD 3.2 billion ($320 million) earmarked for 2026. The latter will be provided as direct financial support to livestock breeders committed to preserving reproductive females. Speaking at a press briefing following Thursday's Government Council meeting, Minister Bouari emphasized that the initiative aligns with royal directives and is a direct response to the harsh impact of irregular rainfall and prolonged drought on agriculture and pasturelands. The program is built around five main pillars and will be implemented through local committees under clearly defined criteria. The first pillar focuses on relieving livestock farmers of debt. Approximately 50,000 farmers will benefit from debt relief measures worth MAD 700 million ($70 million). These include a 50% cancellation of both principal and interest for debts under MAD 100,000 ($10,000), which covers 75% of the beneficiaries, a 25% cancellation for debts between MAD 100,000 and MAD 200,000 ($10,000–$20,000) covering 11% of the beneficiaries, and the restructuring of larger debts over MAD 200,000 ($20,000+) with a waiver on late penalties. The second pillar allocates MAD 2.5 billion ($250 million) to support livestock feed . This includes subsidies of MAD 1.5 ($0.15) per kilogram for barley (covering 7 million quintals) and MAD 2 ($0.20) per kilogram for mixed feed designated for sheep and goats. The third component targets the preservation of reproductive females. Over 8 million ewes and goats are set to be identified by May 2026. Farmers will receive direct financial aid of MAD 400 ($40) per identified and non-slaughtered female. A fourth pillar involves a nationwide animal health campaign. With a budget of MAD 150 million ($15 million), the campaign will vaccinate and treat 17 million heads of livestock against drought-related diseases. The final pillar focuses on technical support and genetic improvement. MAD 50 million ($5 million) will be allocated to training and assisting breeders in enhancing herd quality. Minister Bouari described the program as a strategic step to address the economic and climate challenges facing Morocco's livestock sector, and called for collective efforts to ensure its success. Tags: Eid Al Adhalivestocklivestock in Morocco
Morocco World
05-05-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Agricultural Turnaround: Morocco Sees 41% Boost in Cereal Yields
Rabat – Morocco enters a more hopeful agricultural season as cereal production is expected to reach 44 million quintals, up by 41% compared to last year. The announcement came on Monday from Minister of Agriculture Ahmed Bouari during a parliamentary session. After a difficult previous season, the sector appears to be regaining momentum. Bouari told members of parliament that the agricultural growth rate should stand at 5.1% this year, a significant turnaround from last season's 4% decline. Rainfall patterns began to improve in March. Recorded rainfall reached 295 millimeters by the end of April. While this figure was still 20% below the norm, it was 15% higher than last year's levels. The increase contributed to better dam reserves. Water storage for agricultural purposes reached 5.31 billion cubic meters, compared to 4.38 billion last season. The overall dam filling rate now stands at 38%. Efforts to prepare for the season included the sale of nearly 740,000 quintals of certified seeds, a 10% increase from the previous year. Authorities also subsidized 1.3 million quintals of nitrogen fertilizers, benefiting 78,000 farmers. Insurance coverage extended to 661,000 hectares of cereal crops, legumes, and oilseeds. Read also: Kazakhstan Ships 60,000 Tons of Wheat to Morocco via Baltic Route Farmers sowed a total of 3.11 million hectares with major autumn crops. About 2.6 million hectares were planted with cereals, while forage crops covered 400,000 hectares and legumes 100,000. Only 10% of the total area was irrigated. As for spring crops, planted land reached 158,000 hectares. Maize took up the largest share with 47%, followed by chickpeas at 35%, sunflowers at 13%, and dry beans at 5%. Sugar crop cultivation also advanced. This season saw over 35,000 hectares dedicated to sugar beet and 1,155 hectares planted with sugarcane. The vegetable program moved forward steadily. Farmers completed 91% of the autumn vegetable plan, covering approximately 97,000 hectares. Winter vegetables covered 65,000 hectares, reaching about 90% of the targeted area. This year's indicators offer cautious optimism for Moroccan agriculture after a period of drought and uncertainty. Tags: agriculturecerealMorocco agricultureMorocco Droughtwheat
Morocco World
22-04-2025
- Climate
- Morocco World
Morocco's Farming Season ‘Promising' as Rain Boosts Crops and Livestock
Meknes – Morocco's farming season is 'promising by all standards' after recent rainfall and grain harvest are expected to jump by 41%, to reach 44 million quintals, says Morocco's Agriculture Minister Ahmed El Bouari. Speaking at the high-level talk on farming and water during the 17th International Agricultural Fair in Meknes (SIAM), El Bouari explained that March and early April brought much-needed rain. 'It had a very positive impact on the agricultural situation in various regions of the Kingdom despite a difficult start to the season,' he said. That rain has helped crops grow better and given a real boost to farmers. 'The vegetative cover of autumn cereals has greatly improved, especially in the best-suited areas,' the minister added. El Bouari also pointed out that the rain has helped grass grow back. This will help with raising the herd count, a key goal after years of drought. 'This will support the royal message urging citizens to refrain from the Eid ritual slaughter this year, allowing national herds to reproduce and gradually return to pre-2020 levels,' he said. The ministry is also putting together a full support plan to help herders and improve livestock production. 'We are preparing an integrated programme to support breeders and increase national herd productivity, a necessity to achieve food security in this field,' explained Bouari. The rain hasn't just helped the land and livestock, it's also improved the country's water situation. 'The blessed rains of this season have contributed to a tangible improvement in the water situation, which bodes well for a bold irrigation programme this summer,' he said. The government will roll out a new irrigation plan soon, working closely with the Ministry of Water. At the same talk, Bouari reminded everyone that Morocco has faced its longest drought in recent years. 'Our country has experienced, over the last seven years, the longest drought period marked by a severe rainfall deficit, which negatively affected the agricultural sector and rural economy,' he said. But thanks to early planning and investment under the Green Morocco Plan, the country kept farms running and markets stocked. 'We will continue to implement the Green Generation strategy, prioritizing human development and adapting agriculture to national and international changes,' El Bouri said. A big part of the plan is using water more wisely. The goal is to get more farms using water-saving drip systems, boosting coverage from 54% now to over 70% by 2030. 'We are confident that ensuring irrigation water supplies, in line with the royal directives, will enhance our country's resilience to climate change and preserve our competitiveness in global markets,' he said. El Bouari added that 'His Majesty has instructed us to ensure drinking water for all citizens and cover at least 80% of irrigation needs across the country, whatever the circumstances.' Wrapping up, El Bouari said the goal is clear: 'To steer discussions toward concrete and realistic proposals to align water and agriculture policies, bolster irrigation efforts, and reduce the agricultural sector's vulnerability to climate change.' Tags: farmingMoroccoSIAM 2025Water irrigation program
Morocco World
14-02-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco Ensures Steady Agricultural Supply Despite Drought, Minister Says
Rabat – Ahmed Bouari, Morocco's Minister of Agriculture, assured on Thursday that national markets have a steady supply of agricultural products despite scarce rainfall. Speaking after the government council meeting in Rabat, Bouari pointed out that dam reserves in major irrigated areas have dropped significantly for the third consecutive year. 'The water situation affects agriculture in these regions, which drive the sector and sustain rural employment,' he said. Despite these conditions , agricultural activity continues, and market supply remains stable. The minister acknowledged farmers' efforts in ensuring product availability. To support them, the ministry introduced measures, including distributing and subsidizing selected autumn cereal seeds, as well as about 1.3 million quintals, and nearly 200,000 tons of nitrogen fertilizers. El Bouari noted that poultry and egg production has increased from last year. The ministry intends to expand production while keeping prices affordable in the coming months. He also referred to an initiative aimed at making fish more accessible during the holy month of Ramadan. Earlier this year, Bouari led talks on price discrepancies between farm and slaughterhouse products and their costs in wholesale and retail markets. Moroccans are voicing their concerns daily over rising food prices, which show no signs of easing, especially with Ramadan and Eid Al Adha just around the corner. Staples like meat, poultry, fish, and vegetables have become super expensive, while the ongoing drought further strains household budgets, making it hard to make ends meet. Tags: agriculturefood prices in MoroccoFood supplyMorocco economy
