Latest news with #ElBouari
Morocco World
17 hours ago
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco Invests $300 Million to Rebuild National Herd
Rabat – The Moroccan government will introduce a new support plan for livestock breeders to improve their working conditions and sustainably rebuild the national herd. Agriculture Minister Ahmed El Bouari shared the news on Tuesday at the House of Councillors. He explained that the plan adds to earlier efforts and comes at a moment when recent rainfall offers a rare window to revive livestock numbers after several difficult seasons. El Bouari outlined five main pillars that will shape the new approach. The first focuses on easing the debt load of small and medium-scale breeders. The government will allocate MAD 700 million ($70 million) to restructure loans for nearly 50,000 farmers. Half of all debts under MAD 100,000 ($10,000) will be cancelled, a measure that benefits about three-quarters of eligible breeders. A quarter of the loans, ranging between MAD 100,000 ($10,000) and MAD 200,000 ($20,000), will also be forgiven. For those with larger debts, the government will reschedule payments and waive late penalties. The second pillar deals with the cost of feed, one of the most urgent problems breeders face. Authorities will set barley prices at MAD 1.5 ($0.15) per kilogram, capped at 7 million quintals. Compound feed for sheep and goats will cost no more than MAD 2 ($0.20) per kilogram, again with a volume limit. This effort requires an estimated MAD 2.5 billion ($250 million) and seeks to ease financial pressure ahead of key livestock cycles. The third part of the program targets breeding females, especially as concerns rise over illegal slaughter. The state will grant MAD 400 ($40) for every female sheep or goat that breeders register and keep for reproduction. Officials hope this direct support will cover upkeep costs and discourage early slaughter, which undermines future herd stability. El Bouari also announced a nationwide animal health campaign as the fourth measure. The government will allocate MAD 150 million ($15 million) to protect 17 million sheep and goats from diseases that tend to spread more aggressively during dry periods. The fifth and final measure turns to long-term resilience. Breeders will receive technical guidance and support for genetic improvement through artificial insemination programs and advisory services. The government plans to invest MAD 50 million ($5 million) in this effort. El Bouari estimated the total cost of the new program at MAD 3 billion ($300 million) by the end of 2025. The government has also set aside an additional MAD 3.2 billion ($320 million) for 2026 to reward breeders who manage to keep their reproductive females. This year, Eid al-Adha sacrifice was called off in Morocco, largely due to the severe drought that has gripped the country for six consecutive years, and which has heavily impacted the national cattle. These measures strive to reverse the current decline and steer the sector toward recovery. Still, while the efforts are commendable, one must ask: are they sufficient to truly relieve the pressure? Tags: breedersCattleMorocco agriculturenational herd
Morocco World
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Morocco Supports Over 500,000 Small-Scale Farmers with Subsidized Feed
Rabat – More than half a million livestock farmers across Morocco, mostly smallholders, now count among the beneficiaries of a state-backed effort to ease the burden of feed costs. 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.
Morocco World
03-05-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Dakhla Seawater Desalination Plant Boosts Sustainable Agriculture and Economy
Rabat — Morocco's Agriculture Minister Ahmed El Bouari spoke of the importance of the Dakhla seawater desalination plant during his visit to the region on Friday. The minister described the project as innovative, environmentally sustainable, and socially inclusive. While creating a strong agricultural hub with significant economic impact for the region and the country, the plant is set to run entirely on wind energy and protect the groundwater. On the socioeconomic impact, the project will contribute to generating job opportunities for the young people in the region. 'This project will create over 25,000 permanent jobs,' El Bouari said. During the visit to check the advancement of agricultural and fishing-related development projects in the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region, the minister said the plant also aims to 'strengthen the region's water and food security.' The desalination plant is expected to produce 37 million cubic meters of water annually, the minister said. Of these, he noted that 30 million cubic meters will be targeted at irrigating 5,200 hectares of farmland, while 7 million cubic meters will supply drinking water to Dakhla city and the future Atlantic port. The government allocated the public-private partnership a total investment of MAD 2.6 billion (around $260 million). It includes a 60-megawatt wind farm to ensure a sustainable energy supply. The initiative will equip 219 farms, with 100 allocated to young farmers from the region, helping to develop the land and establish a new generation of agricultural entrepreneurs. Read also: Desalination Efforts: Agricultural Water Reserves in Morocco Reach 26% El Bouari also visited two commercial facilities being modernized in partnership with the Dakhla municipality, namely the wholesale market and the local fruit and vegetable market. These upgrades aim to improve distribution networks and health standards, with the wholesale market already 90% complete. In the fishing sector, El Bouari and the secretary of state in charge of sea fishing Zakia Driouch toured a seafood processing facility that is 95% complete. With a capacity of 140 tons per day, this MAD 127 million ($13.707) project will create about 500 direct and indirect jobs. 'Dakhla is now establishing itself as a national hub for seafood product development, with a growing industrial ecosystem,' said Driouch. She noted that byproducts from processing are also used to produce fish oil and meal, following a circular economy approach. The officials also visited an integrated project focused on small pelagic fish. This program plans to create six industrial units in Dakhla with a budget of MAD 1.16 billion ($125,202), generating 4,378 jobs. It also aims to increase locally processed resources and strengthen high-value industries. At the headquarters of the South Atlantic Maritime Fisheries Chamber, the minister and secretary launched a program to distribute radio beacons to artisanal fishing boats operating on the southern Atlantic coast. Funded by the Maritime Fishing department with MAD 20.6 million ($2,232), this program will equip 6,183 boats, including 3,207 in Dakhla, to improve safety at sea and working conditions for fishermen. The visit and follow-up of the development project in Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region reflects Morocco's commitment to developing southern provinces so they meet international standards and contribute to the country's role as a gateway to Africa. Tags: Dakhla desalination plantDesalination PlantMorocco
Maroc
24-04-2025
- Business
- Maroc
Morocco's AAA Initiative Seen as Key to Boosting Africa's Climate-Resilient Farming
Morocco's AAA Initiative (Adaptation of African Agriculture), launched by HM King Mohammed VI, is an ambitious continental effort to enhance agricultural resilience in the face of climate change, Agriculture Minister Ahmed El Bouari said on Wednesday. Speaking at the 5th Annual Ministerial Conference of the AAA Initiative during the International Agricultural Show in Morocco (SIAM), El Bouari said the platform brings together governments, researchers, and development partners behind a common vision for adaptation. 'Without strong action, Africa risks losing up to 25% of its agricultural production by 2050,' he warned. The initiative has already launched several partnerships, notably with the International Platform on Adaptation Metrics (IPAM), which supports the implementation of climate adaptation frameworks outlined at COP28 in Dubai and the upcoming COP29 in Belém, El Bouari said. He also highlighted the Agricultural Investment Project Incubator (APIA), developed with the African Adaptation Initiative, which aims to mobilize $780 million to fund sustainable agriculture projects across the continent. The AAA Initiative, he noted, has built its presence through increased scientific publications, regional collaboration, and participation in global forums, solidifying its role as a leading African platform for climate-resilient agriculture. Held under the theme 'Agroforestry and Climate Resilience,' the ministerial conference brought together African agriculture ministers, financial institutions, researchers, and development agencies to outline strategic directions for the sector's adaptation to climate challenges. (MAP: 23 April 2025)
Ya Biladi
22-04-2025
- Business
- Ya Biladi
Morocco's cereal production to surge by 41% in promising 2024-2025 season
Initial forecasts indicate that cereal production for the 2024-2025 agricultural season is expected to reach 44 million quintals, reflecting a 41% increase compared to the previous season, announced Ahmed El Bouari, the Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests, on Tuesday in Meknès. «The current agricultural season looks promising on all fronts. After a challenging start, March and early April saw significant rainfall, which has had a very positive impact on the agricultural situation across the Kingdom», El Bouari stated during the opening of a high-level international conference, held in conjunction with the 17th edition of the International Agriculture Fair in Morocco (SIAM), which runs until April 27 in Meknès. In this context, the minister highlighted that the condition of autumn cereal vegetation cover has significantly improved, contributing to higher yields, especially in favorable regions. With the improvement in spring crops, the recovery of livestock following recent rains, and strong performance in most other agricultural activities, the growth of the agricultural sector is projected at 5.1%, compared to a contraction of -4.8% in the previous season. SIAM 2025, which features 1,500 exhibitors from 70 countries, is organized under the theme «Agriculture and the Rural World: Water at the Heart of Sustainable Development». Serving as a key platform for agricultural policies, the fair is an essential opportunity to promote exchanges, strengthen international partnerships, and highlight concrete solutions to the challenges facing the agricultural sector.
