Moroccan government announces package of drought effects-alleviation measures

The Moroccan government has announced a package of measures to alleviate effects of a second drought season, including farmers debt-rescheduling and supporting the modernization of production tools.

Agriculture and rural development minister, Ismail Alaoui, told a cabinet meeting on Thursday debt rescheduling, to extend over seven years, will benefit farmers affected by water scarcity. Rescheduling will be conducted at rates ranging between one and five points.

cereal insurance against drought will be maintained and cover 300,000 ha of soft and hard wheat and barley. The government will also subsidize seeds prices. Starting July 1st, the price of phosphates fertilizers was also reduced by 7 to 14%.

The price of agriculture machinery will continue to be subsidized and an important program to encourage irrigation and the price of energy will be cut for the agriculture sector.

Regarding sugar, production price will be revised to stand at 348 DH per ton for sugar beet and 220 Dh per ton for sugar beet.