Measures to boost cereal-growth

Agriculture Minister Habib Malki announced a set of measures meant to boost cereal-growth in Morocco through investment, use of modern production means and improved marketing.

In a meeting held here in preparation for the 1999-2000 agriculture campaign, Malki said small farmers will have access to credit commensurate with their needs to help them use modern techniques in growing cereals. He said the state would set up an insurance system to guarantee crops and would, as a partner, pay 50% of farmers' subscription this season and provide $ 12 million (120 million DHS) as a contribution to compensations which, for the first time, record the participation of international re-assurance firms.

In terms of marketing, action will mainly focus on the guarantee of remunerative reference prices for farmers, stocking capacities and reduced transportation costs, he said.

According to Malki, these measures should secure a 60 million quintals production in a dry year, create 50,000 stable jobs and improve farmer revenues by $ 500 (5,000 DHS) per hectare and per year in irrigated areas, and by $ 200 (2,000 DHS) in non-irrigated areas.