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Rabat – Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Mohamed Sadiki said the recent rainfall in Morocco in March had an “immediate impact” on agriculture, particularly cereal.
In a statement to the press on Monday, the minister acknowledged that the 2021-2022 agriculture season witnessed a “large water” deficit that has not been seen since 1981.
March has been the rainiest month compared to any period in 2021 and the average for the last 30 years, Sadiki said, affirming that the impact of these downpours is “immediate” on crops that were not totally destroyed.
“We are almost on a million hectares of cereals which can experience an extremely significant catch-up,” the official said, highlighting the amount of the crop that could be saved by the recent rainfall.
He continued to add that the impact of the rainfall will reduce pressure on livestock and breeders, as well as improve meat and dairy production.
Nabil Chaouki, Director of Development and Production at the Agriculture Ministry said that March rainfall averaged 60 millimeters a day The number represents an increase of 46% compared to the 30-year average (41 millimeters) and 52% compared to the previous agriculture campaign in the 2019-2021 campaign.
He emphasized that the rainfall will have a positive impact on the development of Morocco’s agriculture campaign by accelerating the growth of spring crops, and cereal production, including wheat and barley.
The rainfall will also allow the improvement of dams reservoirs for agricultural use.
“The national average cumulative rainfall on March 28, 2022, at 6 a.m. is 145.3 millimeters, a decrease of 50% compared to the 30-year average and against 272.2 millimeters during the previous campaign during the same period,” he said.
Morocco’s rainfall varied depending on each region and from March 23-26, Tetouan in northern Morocco recorded an average of 17 millimeters and 86 millimeters (maximum) a day.
The number could have a positive impact on the agriculture sector, he said.
Morocco’s government acknowledged the water crisis amid climate change and lack of rainfall this year.
In response, the Moroccan government introduced in February a $1 billion program to tackle the water crisis nationwide and help drought-affected farmers.
Last week, the World Bank approved a $180 million loan to help Morocco’s agriculture sector amid agriculture challenges.
