Moroccan government to support farmers for 2003-2004 agricultural campaign

The Moroccan agriculture ministry announced this Wednesday a series of measures to support farmers in the 2003-2004 campaign and relaunch the drought-stricken agricultural sector.

The announced measures, that concern financing, insurance to farmers, irrigation, supply of materials, automation, and animal stock, seek to build on the good crops of the 2001-2002 positive season that produced around 7.8 million tons of cereals.

The state will carry on its support to the insurance of cereals crops against drought by extending the insured area to 300,000 hectares benefiting from a state support of 10% of subscriptions and extending 120 million DH (US$ 12 million) to compensate farmers in case of drought. A more rapid and easier insurance system is also mulled.

The train of measures also includes irrigation, water-management programs, subsidizing seeds and increasing the number of sites where fertilizers and seeds are sold. The ministry expects cereal seeds availability to reach around 100,000 tons with a wide variety likely to meet farmers demand. The ministry says it is in contact with the Moroccan phosphates company to guarantee a normal market supply of seeds.

In parallel, the ministry announces it will continue its activities of soil analysis, counseling in the use of fertilizers and control of imported and local products used in agriculture.

Premiums and incentives extended to people and companies investing in farming automation and agriculture companies will be maintained.