Surge in Grain Production Expected in Morocco
In an optimistic forecast, Morocco's grain production for the agricultural season of 2025-2026 is anticipated to exceed 90 million quintals, marking a significant increase from the 44 million quintals recorded in the previous season. This remarkable turnaround is largely attributed to the substantial winter rains that have alleviated the country from seven consecutive years of drought. The announcement was made on Tuesday by the Minister of Agriculture, Ahmed El Bouari, during the International Agricultural Exhibition held in Meknès.
The Minister elaborated that the area planted with cereal crops has risen dramatically to approximately 3.9 million hectares, a notable increase from the 2.6 million hectares cultivated during the 2024-2025 season. This growth in cultivation area, along with the favorable weather conditions, is expected to propel Morocco's agricultural sector and stimulate economic growth, projected to reach 5% in the first quarter of 2026.
Challenges Amidst Agricultural Prosperity
While the winter rains have been beneficial for agriculture, they have not come without challenges. The heavy downpours have resulted in severe flooding in several regions, leading to tragic consequences. In December, 37 individuals lost their lives in Safi due to sudden flooding, marking the worst toll from such weather events in the last decade. Additionally, in February, further heavy rains resulted in four fatalities and prompted the evacuation of over 180,000 individuals in northern Morocco. The unprecedented rainfall has led to flooding across 110,000 hectares in the northwestern areas of Larache, Kénitra, Sidi Kacem, and Sidi Slimane, raising concerns about the balance between agricultural benefits and the potential for natural disasters.
As Morocco navigates these challenges, the emphasis remains on harnessing the positive outcomes of this season's rainfall to bolster its agricultural output while remaining vigilant in disaster preparedness and response. As reported by jeuneafrique.com.
