This is a drop of around 43% compared to the previous campaign, specifies the Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests in a press release.
The area sown with main cereals for this campaign is 2.47 million hectares compared to 3.67 million hectares in 2022/2023, a drop of 33%. The harvestable area is estimated at 1.85 million hectares, or nearly 75% of the sown area.
By species, this production is distributed over soft wheat (17.5 Mqx), durum wheat (7.1 Mqx) and barley (6.6 Mqx).
In terms of regional distribution, three regions contribute 84% to national production, Fès-Meknes at 37.1%, Rabat-Salé-Kénitra at 28.9% and Tangier-Tétouan-Al Hoceima at 37.1%. height of 18.2%.
Furthermore, the national cumulative rainfall as of May 22, 2024 is nearly 237 mm, down 31% compared to a normal campaign (349 mm) and up 9% compared to the previous campaign (217 mm) at the same date.
The filling rate of dams for agricultural use nationally is around 31%, compared to 30% the previous campaign on the same date.
Thus, the 2023/2024 agricultural campaign is part of a climatic sequence of five very difficult years. The temporal distribution of precipitation was characterized by a delay in rains leading to a long drought at the start of the season, negatively affecting the sowing of autumn crops.
Likewise, the significant variation in minimum and maximum temperatures which marked the campaign led to disruptions in crop production cycles.
Consequently, the rise in temperatures during the month of November, combined with the lack of rain, accentuated water stress in several cereal-growing areas of the Kingdom and caused significant losses in cereal crops, particularly in the Casablanca region.
Concerning tree crops, the improvement in climatic conditions from the month of February coincided with the fruit setting and flowering stage, which helped promote their development.
With regard to market gardening, maintaining the crop rotation program at satisfactory levels despite difficult climatic conditions and restrictions on irrigation in certain irrigation areas has made it possible to maintain supply at satisfactory levels.
Indeed, market gardening production during the summer, autumn and winter seasons made it possible to cover the needs of the national market for vegetables, in particular tomatoes, onions and potatoes, with a production of the order of 5.6 million tonnes.
The good weather conditions in March will have positive effects on spring rotations and will ensure normal and regular market supplies for the coming months.
Despite difficult climatic conditions, for the third consecutive campaign, and widespread water stress, the agricultural sector continues to ensure a regular supply of the national market thanks to the strong mobilization of the Ministry’s services and professionals in the sector, concludes the press release. .