Measures Taken by SONACOS to Support Autumn Cereal Production in Settat
To bolster the upcoming agricultural campaign in Settat, SONACOS (National Seed Marketing Company) has implemented several measures to ensure adequate supply of seeds and fertilizers for autumn cereals.
A network of 16 sales points was established across the province, including 7 under the National Agricultural Advisory Office (ONCA) and 9 in the private sector. These points offered 26,819 quintals of selected seeds for major cereals (soft wheat, durum wheat, barley) and 3,000 quintals of fertilizer. During the campaign, approximately 13,210 quintals of seeds and 1,800 quintals of fertilizer were sold through these points.
The Ministry of Agriculture has also extended significant support for nitrogen fertilizers, crucial for agricultural productivity. These subsidies are part of broader programs aimed at bolstering the availability of essential production factors.
The recent rainfall in Settat (34 mm until November 1) has further facilitated the acquisition of necessary inputs and land preparation activities, covering 14,000 hectares so far.
To ensure a successful agricultural campaign, the provincial director of agriculture emphasized the collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Agriculture, ONCA, and ONSSA in providing farmers with:
Production factors and guidance on land preparation.
Access to various types of fertilizers and selected seeds.
Additionally, measures have been taken to mitigate the effects of rainfall deficits through increased support for direct seeding techniques. The ministry has also distributed enriched barley (84,000 out of 209,000 quintals) and subsidized compound feed (62,000 quintals) to farmers.
The Ministry of Agriculture has further implemented various programs to encourage increased production of autumn cereals. Farmers can receive subsidies ranging from 40,000 to 70,000 dirhams for tomato seeds and plants, along with support for nitrogen fertilizers and dairy cows.