Drought will make Morocco lose millions of working days
Morocco, Agriculture, 3/28/2000

The severe drought currently hitting Morocco will make the country lose 52.5 million working days, Moroccan agriculture minister, Habib Malki, on Monday said.

The drought will also cause a $ 900 million loss in agriculture value-added, Malki said while presenting to the press a government program to fight drought.

Agriculture is facing a very critical situation, especially in non-irrigated areas, due to the shortage of rainfall. The sector contributes 20 % to Morocco's gross domestic product.

The minister deplored that Morocco will lose 75 % of its vegetables land. The situation will adversely impact other sectors including commerce, transportation and agri-business, he said, adding that the country's annual growth will also suffer from the drought.

To face up the situation, the government devised a $ 600 million program that will be implemented over 15 months, starting from April, Malki said.

Some 65 % of the amount will be earmarked to generating jobs for rural population, 19 % to livestock preservation, 9 % for water supply and 2 % for small farmers debt payment.

The government also worked out a large scale plan to deal with drought as a structural problem. The 20-year plan will seek to secure cereal production, rational management of irrigation water, farmers training and the consolidation of agricultural insurance, the minister said.

Previous Stories:
  Morocco adopts anti-drought moves   (3/27/2000)
  Minister deplores critical situation of grain production in Morocco   (3/13/2000)
  Hot winds and exceptional drought in Morocco, small farmers's debt written off   (3/9/2000)

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