In collaboration with its partners, the Regional Directorate of the Agricultural Council, the Regional Directorate of the National Food Safety Office, the National Seed Marketing Company and the National Cereals and Legumes Office, the DRA initiated specific actions to support farmers in the face of climatic and economic challenges, diversify crops and strengthen food security, underlined the Management in a press release.
Noting that financial and technical support has been allocated for the main crops, she recalled that seed and fertilizer subsidies are granted by the State in order to support the region’s sectors, particularly cereals and legumes, with 610,000 hectares programmed.
In order to ensure the relaunch of production sectors at the regional level, measures adapted to each sector have been developed, said the DRA, explaining that around 200,000 quintals of certified autumn cereal seeds will be available at incentive prices, via 45 sales centers.
She also noted that during this year, support extends to new species of cereals, fodder and legumes, such as triticale, oats, vetch, fodder peas, broad beans, lentils and chickpeas, to encourage fodder crops and crop rotation.
“The subsidized prices of cereal seeds are as follows: soft wheat at 380 DH/quintal, durum wheat at 600 DH/quintal, barley at 380 DH/quintal, oats at 610 DH/quintal, triticale at 510 DH/quintal, bean/ fava beans at 800 DH/quintal, lentils and chickpeas at 1,150 DH/quintal, and fodder peas and others at 615 DH/quintal,” continued the same source.
Concerning subsidized nitrogen fertilizers, the regional agricultural market will be supplied with 503,200 quintals via 11 relay centers, with prices maintained at the same level as those of the previous campaign, reported the Management, noting that the proposed prices will be 240 DH/qx for ammonium nitrate 33%, 330 DH/qx for urea 46% and 150 DH/qx for ammonium sulfate 21%.
Furthermore, the regional direct seeding program for the 2024-2025 agricultural campaign will cover an area of 70,000 hectares, with the objective of 200,000 hectares by 2030, through the distribution of 49 seed drills. directly to agricultural cooperatives, as well as strengthening awareness and support for farmers to adopt this technique.
As for the multi-risk climatic agricultural insurance intended for cereals, legumes and oilseed crops, it aims to cover an area of approximately 245,000 hectares, by offering financial protection to farmers, securing their income and thus helping to encourage agricultural investments.
The DRA also aims, through the regional market gardening program, to install crops over an area of 55,000 hectares spread over the four seasons, by subsidizing the acquisition of seeds and plants of round tomatoes, onions and potatoes.
The region plans to plant 19,600 hectares of sugar crops thanks to the improvement of the water situation in the Gharb area and the renewal of producer prices of 80 DH/T for sugar beet and 70 DH/T for sugar cane, we continued.
In order to give new impetus to the red meat sector, the DRA will continue to implement measures to safeguard livestock thanks to the program to reduce the impact of the rainfall deficit and the effects of the economic situation (PRIDPEC).
Thus, 350,000 qx of barley programmed as part of the 3rd tranche are being distributed to 14 relay centers spread across the different provinces of the region, said the press release, noting that the program also provides for the equipment water points and the acquisition of tanks for watering livestock.
In order to replenish the herd numbers and stabilize the prices of red meat on the market, measures to encourage the importation of fattening calves and sheep are still in place, while provincial committees carry out visits to lazarets and fattening units to encourage importers and fatteners to speed up slaughtering in order to ensure a sufficient supply of red meat (cattle and sheep) to the markets.
For milk, the distribution of 333,500 qx of compound feed scheduled under the 3rd tranche of PRIDPEC continues under good conditions, during the current campaign, while the operation will extend to other animal species for the production of red meats.
In another aspect, vaccination campaigns for cattle against foot-and-mouth disease, sheep and goats against sheep and PPR are planned and the generalized identification operation for cattle according to the SNIT will be continued. The program also includes a campaign to treat hives against Varrosis.
In preparation for the 2024-2025 agricultural campaign, a meeting of the Regional Coordination Committee in Agriculture was held last Friday in Kénitra under the chairmanship of the Regional Director of Agriculture of Rabat Salé Kénitra, in order to examine the modalities of implementation implementation of these specific measures.
To succeed in this agricultural campaign, a large media and non-media awareness and communication campaign will be carried out by the DRA of Rabat Salé Kénitra, in coordination with members of the CCR, for the benefit of farmers in the region, the press release concluded.
Interview between Time.news Editor and Agricultural Expert
Editor: Thank you for joining us today. The recent initiatives by the Regional Directorate of the Agricultural Council, along with various partners, to support farmers during climatic and economic challenges have been making headlines. Could you provide an overview of these initiatives?
Expert: Absolutely, and thank you for having me. The initiatives are aimed at enhancing food security and diversifying crop production in response to the increasing challenges posed by weather variability and economic pressures. This is a collaborative effort involving several key organizations that provide financial and technical support specifically tailored to critical crops, especially cereals and legumes.
Editor: That collaboration sounds promising. What specific measures have been put in place to support farmers?
Expert: The DRA has acknowledged the importance of subsidies to alleviate financial burdens on farmers. They’ve allocated significant resources, with around 610,000 hectares designated for main crop support. Farmers can access certified autumn cereal seeds at reduced prices — there will be about 200,000 quintals available through 45 sales centers.
Editor: That’s a substantial amount. Could you give us an example of the types of crops and their subsidized prices?
Expert: Certainly! The pricing strategy is quite comprehensive. For instance, soft wheat is priced at 380 DH per quintal, durum wheat at 600 DH, and barley at 380 DH. There’s a wide range of legumes as well, where chickpeas and lentils are available at 1,150 DH per quintal. These prices are designed not only to assist farmers financially but also to encourage crop diversity.
Editor: Crop diversification is vital for sustainable agriculture. The article also mentions the introduction of new species like triticale and fodder crops. What benefits do these crops bring to the ecosystem and economy?
Expert: Introducing new species such as triticale, oats, and various legumes can significantly contribute to soil health and sustainability. They play a crucial role in crop rotation, which helps in reducing pests and diseases. Economically, these crops can enhance farmers’ resilience by providing alternative income sources and reducing reliance on a single crop, which can be risky in years of poor yields.
Editor: One of the notable points was about the multi-risk climatic agricultural insurance aimed at covering 245,000 hectares. How crucial is this insurance for farmers?
Expert: The multi-risk climatic insurance is a game-changer. It provides financial protection that can safeguard farmers’ incomes against unpredictable events like droughts or floods. This reassurance is vital for encouraging investments in agriculture, especially as farmers often hesitate to invest in new technologies or species without some form of security.
Editor: I also noticed an emphasis on livestock and red meat sector support within the initiatives. Can you elaborate on that?
Expert: Yes, the DRA is committed to reinforcing the livestock sector, especially in the context of rainfall deficits affecting feed availability. They plan to distribute barley as feed and enhance water supply systems for livestock. This not only aids in maintaining herd numbers but also stabilizes meat prices in the market — essential for food security and farmer livelihoods.
Editor: It sounds like a comprehensive approach that recognizes the interconnected nature of agriculture. What are some future goals, particularly concerning direct seeding and market gardening?
Expert: The ambitions for direct seeding are impressive, with plans to cover 200,000 hectares by 2030. This technique is beneficial as it minimizes soil disturbance and conserves moisture. Moreover, they are focusing on market gardening, with 55,000 hectares targeted for growing high-demand crops like tomatoes and onions, which can yield quicker returns for farmers.
Editor: This all seems like a step in the right direction. Final thoughts on the long-term implications of these initiatives for farmers in the region?
Expert: In the long run, these initiatives could transform the agricultural landscape by fostering resilience against climate change and economic fluctuations. A more diverse, sustainable agricultural practice can lead to improved food security and ultimately enhance the livelihoods of farmers in the region. What’s crucial is to continue supporting these efforts through education, technical assistance, and community engagement.
Editor: Thank you for sharing your insights. It’s clear that strategic support for agriculture can lead to positive changes and a more secure future for farmers and food systems alike.