Official expounds Morocco's agriculture policy at world forum
Morocco, Agriculture, 5/22/2001

Morocco, which is located in an arid weather region, has granted a particular importance to cover its population food needs, by promoting agriculture development and lasting exploitation of its natural resources, said Morocco's minister of agriculture, rural development, water and forests, Ismail Alaoui.

The official who took part at the second world forum on agriculture held this May 20-21 in St Louis, Missouri, explained how Morocco effected measures meant to mobilize water for irrigation needs, implement integrated development projects in rainy areas, promote the marketing of farming products and encourage investments and technology transfer in fishery. He further told the forum that brought together 700 representatives and officials from several countries that these actions have helped the kingdom reach satisfactory levels of food self-sufficiency (80% for cereals, 60% for sugar, 35% for edible oil, 100% for meat, 85% for milk and dairy products). Morocco has even surpassed self-sufficiency to export fruits, fresh and canned vegetables and sea products, he went on.

Regarding the sea fishery sector, Alaoui explained that the Moroccan policy is geared toward enterprise modernization and investment promotion while striving to preserve the resource and end foreign over-exploitation.

In agriculture, he said, Morocco, which is bound by the need to adapt to trade globalization, and commitments related to its agreements with the European Union and the World Trade Organization, is also endeavoring to guarantee food self self-sufficiency and improve the income and living standards of farmers. He also cited efforts to integrate agriculture in international economy, protect environment, preserve production potential, and maintain the safety and phytosanitary quality of its products.

To enforce this policy, efforts are focusing on lasting management of natural resources, development of farming enterprises, structural handling of farmers indebtedness and improving the living conditions of rural populations.

However, he went on, to succeed in these efforts to guarantee food security, Morocco needs regional and international financial and technological assistance, larger access to markets, and the creation of a world fund to help developing countries as part of solidarity of the haves with the have nots.

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