Morocco announces agricultural investments in southern provinces

Morocco has announced a large scale investment program to promote agriculture in the southern provinces.

Agriculture minister, Habib Malki, on Thursday in Dakhla (second major city in the region after Laayoune) announced that the government will earmark $ 700,000 to provide fodder for livestock breeders in the region.

The southern provinces rely mainly on camel and sheep breeding.

The government will also earmark another $ 400,000 to improve camel and sheep breeds in the few coming years, Malki said.

The minister stressed the need to use small irrigation to fight the effects of drought and desert encroachment in the region. He also announced that the government will set up next year in Aousserd a center to train farmers.

He added that the National Council of Youth and the Future will open next year a branch in Dakhla that will encourage dialogue on youth problems.