2024-07-12 12:28:27
According to a press release from the Regional Directorate of Agriculture (DRA), the spring crop program has been reviewed and strengthened, with projections of significant areas, namely 1,600 hectares for spring cereals, including grain corn, 19,580 hectares for food legumes, essential for regional food security, 19,300 hectares for fodder crops, mainly silage corn, 22,250 hectares for oilseed crops, contributing to the production of vegetable oils and 11,000 hectares for spring market gardening, mainly composed of onions, tomatoes, squash and zucchini.
In the fertile area of Gharb, a significant effort is being made to cultivate spring vegetables over an area of 11,000 hectares, the statement added, stressing that these spring vegetable crops aim to meet local needs for fresh produce, while contributing to the supply of the national market during the summer period, thus offering a double opportunity for farmers and consumers.
Despite the challenges announced at the start of the campaign being constrained by the delay in the rains, the efforts of the farmers, supported by the support, guidance and close coordination between the different services of the Department of Agriculture at the regional level, made it possible to successfully carry out the autumn and winter crop programmes.
The significant rainfall during the month of March, which reached an average cumulative of about 154mm, brought a long-awaited relief, heralding favorable prospects for spring crops, rangeland vegetation cover, as well as for the filling of dams, among other benefits, heralding positive prospects for farmers in the region for the coming season, the same source added.
Thus, the spring crop program at the regional level foresees the establishment of an area exceeding 73,700 of various crops, with particular emphasis on major crops such as corn, chickpea, sunflower and dry bean, provided that these favorable weather conditions continue.
Furthermore, this agricultural campaign, which looks promising, demonstrates the commitment and resilience of farmers in the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra region in the face of climatic and economic challenges, the press release underlines.
The rainfall recorded during the current agricultural campaign has also contributed to improving the condition of fodder crops in irrigated and Bour areas. The available fodder resources, particularly corn, berseem and alfalfa, will also contribute to ensuring good production performance for milk and red meat, the press release continues.
Regarding the health status of the herd, the situation is satisfactory, the press release said, highlighting the vaccination campaigns carried out during the 2023-2024 agricultural campaign, namely 379,759 heads of cattle vaccinated against foot-and-mouth disease (i.e. 84% of the objective), 1,809,011 heads of sheep (i.e. 90% of the objective) and 159,618 heads of goats (i.e. 80% of the objective), in addition to the distribution of 150,000 doses to vaccinate hives against the Varroise for the treatment of approximately 200,000 beehives.
2024-07-12 12:28:27