Intended to accelerate the repair of damage and the resumption of agricultural activity, this large-scale program focuses on several areas. These include the rehabilitation of rural roads, the distribution of sheep and goats to affected farmers, the restoration of small and medium-sized hydraulics, the upgrading of hydrological stations, as well as the rehabilitation of irrigation canals (séguias), recovery units and cooperative headquarters.
In many douars in Al Haouz province, such as El Bor and Marigha, farmers are benefiting from financial assistance for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of their homes. Thanks to these reconstruction efforts, they are celebrating a return to normalcy, finding a new “home” and relaunching their agricultural activities with great determination and enthusiasm.
In this context, Zineb Bensassi, head of the Agricultural Production Sector Project Implementation Service, stressed that “following the earthquake of September 8, 2023, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests implemented the emergency program which aims to rebuild animal capital through the distribution of 138,879 quintals of barley for the benefit of 17,449 breeders” in the province of Al Haouz.
“Some 11,890 heads of sheep and goats were distributed to 1,189 breeders, and the operation is still ongoing,” she added in a statement to MAP, noting that the rehabilitation of damaged seguias, a length of 43.2 km, has been scheduled in order to revive the arboricultural sectors, in addition to the demolition of four seriously damaged production units, the rehabilitation of 19 units for the valorization of agricultural products as well as the establishment of a marketing platform for local products in Asni.
In a similar statement, Moulay Idriss Ben El Haj, one of the farmers who lost his livestock following the earthquake, highly praised the “continuous and organized” support of the authorities as well as the various initiatives aimed at ensuring the return of farmers and breeders to their activities.
“These initiatives give us a sense of security. The support provided by the State and the parties concerned will help us rebuild our lives and continue agricultural activity,” added Mr. Ben El Haj, who benefited from the operation of distributing sheep and goats to disaster-stricken breeders.
For his part, Rachid Jadbak, another beneficiary from the El Bor douar, welcomed “the exemplary commitment and constant mobilization” of the provincial authorities and institutional actors who continue to supervise and monitor efforts to support and assist disaster-stricken farmers.
“This livestock aid is of vital importance for our survival. It will allow us to diversify our diet and generate income,” he said.
It is clear that the emergency programme for reconstruction, rehabilitation and agricultural upgrading in the areas affected by the earthquake is contributing significantly to the strengthening of agricultural projects and the acceleration of development in the affected areas.
The objective of this program is to create wealth and diversify activities to promote local agricultural products, with an emphasis on improving the population’s income and strengthening the implementation of the “Green Generation” strategy.
2024-09-10 09:24:31