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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?
