Morocco launches agriculture projects in southern provinces

Morocco on Saturday gave the green light for several agriculture projects in the area of Laayoune, major city in the Moroccan southern provinces.

Agriculture minister, Habib Malki, who led a delegation to the region, visited a 226-hectare irrigated area in Foum El-Oued (near Laayoune) and dedicated a milk factory.

He also inspected a fodder-processing plant in Foum El Oued where the local population mainly lives on livestock breeding.

The minister also launched construction works of the Laayoune Farming institute to cost $ 60,000. The institute, whose construction will be completed in 24 months, will train 120 farm technicians.

The government will also construct a veterinary analyses lab in Laayoune.

In Boujdour, Malki announced a $ 10 million dollar budget, earmarked by the government, to fight drought effects in the region.

The amount will be used for livestock preservation and water supply.

The city of Smara will get $ 560,000 to fight drought.

Malki underlined at meetings with farmers' representatives that the moves are part of the government's endeavor to enhance the role of the southern provinces in the Kingdom's socioeconomic development.