Moroccan Minister of Agriculture Mohammed Seddiki announced an integrated program aimed at revitalizing the agricultural dynamics and bolstering development in areas affected by earthquakes.
The program has a budget nearing MAD 10.3 billion, $1 billion.
Responding to a central question during an oral questions session, Seddiki explained that this initiative is based on an assessment and inventory of damages sustained in the agricultural and forestry sectors.
He highlighted the program’s primary focus on creating action plans and determining the cost of interventions in both sectors.
Seddiki stated that its cost stands at MAD 7.6 billion. The program is based on three main pillars:
Infrastructure Development: This includes the establishment of 1,153 kilometers of rural agricultural paths, protection of agricultural lands from erosion through the construction of rock barriers, refurbishment and rebuilding of 718 kilometers of irrigation channels, creation of water points, and restoration of 92 facilities for agricultural product enhancement and cooperative headquarters affected by the disaster.
Rural Economic Facilities: Efforts here will revolve around the establishment and restoration of 33 weekly rural markets, 13 slaughterhouses, including three dedicated to poultry, and the development of 680 animal shelters, stables, and barns.
Rebuilding Agricultural Capital: The third pillar aims to rejuvenate animal production chains. It encompasses 40 projects for solidarity agriculture, distributing 650,000 quintals of barley, and compensating for the loss of sheep, goats, and cattle in the affected regions.
On the forestry side, the governmental official confirmed that the financial envelope for the program amounts to MAD 2.7 billion.
The emphasis will be on conserving water and soil, improving the forestry area by restoring water basins and forests, promoting eco-tourism in the Toubkal National Park, distributing 5,000 improved ovens, and providing 10,000 tons of heating wood.
The program comes as a pivotal step in supporting regions affected by natural calamities and ensuring their economic and agricultural resilience.
