Rabat – Recent rainfall in Morocco has a positive impact on the agricultural prospects of 2018. The national average rainfall totaled 132.7 millimeters through January 16, reducing the deficit to 25 percent as compared to the average per yearly rainfall, revealed the Ministry of Agriculture.
At the start of the agricultural season, the deficit was 61 percent. The recent rainfall brought the deficit down to 36 percent.
The ministry added that the melting of snow will contribute to the decrease of the defect in Morocco and will replenishment the groundwater.
The state plant biomass production is also promising, said the Ministry, adding that there is sufficient production to meet the needs of the national livestock if the maintenance and nutrition prices remain stable.
Out of 4.93 million hectares, the planted area represents 4.68 million hectares, only 10 percent of which is irrigated. Of the arable land, 88 percent is planted with grain, 8 percent for fodder, and 4 percent with vegetables.
A total of 48,300 hectares is used for sugar crops, distributed between Doukkala (35 percent), Tadla (28 percent), Gharb (27 percent), Loukkos (6 percent), and Moulouya (5 percent).
For sugarcane, the planted area amounts to 12,409 hectares. If the rain continues to fall in the upcoming weeks, water available to farmers will continue to grow and will allow the cycle to catch up after the delayed arrival of the rain.
