Rabat – Morocco’s official livestock statistics have become the subject of heated debate after some Moroccan political parties raised doubts over the credibility of recent figures released by the Ministry of Agriculture.
The controversy began after the Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS) denounced what it described as inconsistencies in the ministry’s data.
This week, the Justice and Development Party (PJD) joined the criticism, calling the government’s figures “illogical and abnormal” and demanding the opening of an inquiry to establish accountability.
The dispute centers on the ministry’s announcement of 32.8 million heads of livestock, following a census conducted between June and August. The ministry framed this as an increase in numbers. However, only six months earlier, Agriculture Minister Ahmed El Bouari announced that Morocco’s livestock population had shrunk by 38% compared to 2016 levels.
Political repercussions
The contradictions go beyond mere statistics. In a statement, the PJD said the issue raises serious questions about transparency in the management of national resources. The party stressed that the discrepancies are particularly alarming given that the February census had been the basis for the government’s unprecedented decision to cancel Eid al-Adha sacrifice this year, citing shortages in sheep and cattle.
“Citizens were asked to make sacrifices based on data that now appear contradictory,” one PJD official noted, arguing that the public deserves clarity on how these figures were calculated and communicated.
Last week, PPS parliamentary group leader Rachid Hammouni formally requested an urgent meeting of the Commission on Productive Sectors in the House of Representatives. He called for the presence of the agriculture minister to explain what he described as “glaring discrepancies” in the official counts.
Broader implications
The livestock sector is central to Morocco’s rural economy and cultural life. Beyond its role in ensuring food security, it is closely tied to religious and social practices, most notably Eid al-Adha. Any disruption in supply directly affects households, markets, and farmers’ livelihoods.
The conflicting figures have therefore fueled public unease and reinforced perceptions of a disconnect between government communication and citizens’ lived realities. Farmers in several regions have complained over the past two years about rising feed costs, recurrent droughts, and shrinking herds, experiences that seem at odds with the latest claim of growth.
Call for accountability
The demand for a parliamentary investigation is not only about statistical accuracy but also about restoring public confidence. The two political parties argue that inconsistent figures risk undermining trust in state institutions at a time when transparency is urgently needed.
Whether the government will respond to these calls remains to be seen. For now, the debate is only showing how sensitive the issue of livestock has become as an economic indicator as well as a political flashpoint with implications for public trust, rural stability, and religious life.
