REGIONAL REPORT AH ighG Techr Age in Meorocnco: Plan to stimulate Growth

OROCCO, located in the cities such as Fes and Meknes. The Agricultural development is still seen as the important northwest of the African Central Hills, that run along the springboard for development in other sectors of ’s Mcontinent, has a total area middle of the country and extend economy. The local Authorities have therefore made of 450 000 km² (bigger than from northeast to southwest, con - substantial efforts to improve the productivity of Germany, slightly smaller than stitute the third geographical unit. agriculture. The Royal Estates, farming themselves neighbouring Spain) and 35 mil - They consist of the mountain lion inhabitants. It is bordered in ranges of the Central, Upper and thousands of hectares in a very High Tech fashion, have the west by the Atlantic Ocean, in Lower Atlas, which run almost par - almost always pioneered the introduction of the most the north by the Mediterranean allel to one another. The peak modern farming techniques in the country. As the cities grow Sea, in the northeast by Algeria (Mount Toubkal) is in the Upper and the number of people left farming the land decreases, and in the southeast and south by Atlas at 4,165 metres above sea there is an ever increasing need to intensify agricultural Mauritania. level; the famous city of Marrakech production. The country has therefore undertaken an Geographically, the country can be and other important economic/ divided into four units: The Coastal agricultural centres such as Beni extensive programme of education and technology transfer Plains, which extend along the Mellal are located just at the foot that will – hopefully – help to solve the most crucial problem entire Moroccan coastline, are of the mountains. The Desert Hills, that the country is facing: a desperately low water use narrow on the Mediterranean that are extensions of the south - efficiency. It is essential for the State to develop Coast and wide on the Atlantic ern slopes of the Upper and Lower irrigation: within the context of the Green Morocco Plan Coast. Some of the most impor - Atlas Mountains, constitute the launched in 2008, the Ministry of Agriculture has set up a tant cities are located there: fourth unit. They have a very small Rabat, Casablanca, and Agadir. economical and agricultural National Irrigation Water Saving Programme (PNEEI), which These plains are crossed by the weight. sets out, among others, to increase the number of hectares majority of the rivers and valleys of under microirrigation. So far, only slightly more than one the country; the second unit can AGRICULTURE CONTRIBUTING million hectares have been equipped with irrigation systems be called the Northern Hills, that 19% OF GDP by the State, out of the 8 million hectares of arable land run parallel to the Mediterranean The average population density is available in Morocco. According to the first figures released Sea and are called the El-Reef 72 – inhabitants/km² (versus 61- Mountains with their peak reach - inhabitants only 10 years ago) but by the Ministry, the national irrigation water-saving ing 2,456 metres above sea level; on the coastal areas the popula - programme was aiming to install adapted irrigation systems they are home to other important tion density is higher. It is low in on an extra 550,000 hectares over a period of 10 years. The State is allocating a budget of 37 million DH to the programme and a number of loans from banks have been lined up also for this purpose. At present, 270,000 hectares have been converted (half of this in 2008), with an additional 50,000 hectares due to be put under irrigation in 2014. This goal will ultimately be achieved by 2020, even if the total number of hectares under adapted irrigation systems is still low. New Ag International went to analyse the ins and outs of today’s Moroccan agriculture.

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the mountains and desert zones, of Morocco in 2013 is a combina - Over the years, the Government 45,000 ha of which almost where it is concentrated around tion of revenues from agriculture, has taken various measures to 40,000 ha of table ) also the oases. 45% of the population Phosphates mining and process - improve yields, including the provi - benefit from productivity gains. is rural and more than 50% of the ing, new industries (cars, etc…) sion of certified seeds (at 40-60% Altogether the trend in Morocco active population lives directly or and tourism of course. of the cost), subsidies for farm has been similar to that of many indirectly from agriculture. The machinery and irrigation equip - countries in the Mediterranean agricultural sector contributes CEREALS STILL THE BACKBONE, ment (30-70% of the purchase basin: an increasing importance of 19% to the national GDP, divided FRUITS & UP cost) and subsidies for soil testing cash crops, in particular those between agriculture (15%) and Cereals (see table 1), have always to optimize fertilizer application. crops that can be exported and agro-industry (4%). This sector been the backbone of Moroccan Among other broad acre crops, earn hard currency (early season employs over 4 million people agriculture. Almost all farms are beet remains of importance vegetables in particular but also including about 100,000 in agro- cropping some cereals. with record yields, while the sun - dates and citrus). Within this industry. largely leads with 3.2 million flower acreage has continued to trend, protected cropping has Apart from the southern desert hectares (of which 1.1 million ha substantially decrease during the again gained momentum. hills, agriculture is found every - of Durum wheat), followed by bar - last 10 years. Cotton has almost where in the country and has ley. The 2013 grain harvest was disappeared. MORE THAN 10,000 HA always been a pillar of the eco - concluded on a very positive note: Olives represent almost a million OF GREENHOUSES nomic development (that started almost 10 million tons (30% hectares, nearly double from ten Protected cropping was intro - with the building of big dams in above the 5 year average), of years ago after a national plan duced in Morocco about 40 years the sixties). This is a major differ - which 7 million for wheat alone was implemented. Other tree ago. In the early nineties the ence with neighbouring Libya and (40% above the 5 year average crops (almonds in particular) are acreage covered was already close Algeria where the weight of Oil and 81% above the 2012 crop). also on the increase. Apples and to 5,000 ha. In the meantime it and Gas in the economy is far Being largely rain-fed, cereal pro - peaches are becoming more High has exponentially increased to more important than that of agri - duction in Morocco is highly vari - Tech, as well as a number of veg - reach roughly 11,500 ha today, of culture. The US$ 103 billion GDP able. Even in good years like 2013, etables (e.g. string beans, onions, which only 500 ha are glasshous - Morocco relies heavily on wheat strawberries, tomatoes) that fea - es (nurseries and floriculture), imports to cover its consumption ture an upgrading of cropping slightly above 1,000 ha are mini- needs. techniques. Grapes (currently tunnels (strawberries and mel - ons/watermelons) and the rest – close to 10,000 ha is plastic greenhouses. Historically, vegetable crops were the first crops grown under green - houses in the country. A major step occurred in the early eighties when greenhouse banana was introduced. The Royal Estates were

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the first ones to test the technique Agadir). This region alone pro - importance of irrigation is of canals to transfer water from (they have had a pioneering role in duces about 60%, 50%, and 40% course not the same from one dams to the citrus areas that are the introduction of a number of of the national output for vegeta - crop to the other: Whereas only at high risk. other innovations in the High Tech bles, bananas and flowers respec - 7% of cereals are under irrigation, To cut a long story short, it is fair Ag sector in the country). tively. all citrus and most of to say that the country loses more Greenhouse banana today repre - are irrigated as well as an increas - than half of its reserves of water sents about 5,400 ha, i.e. 40 % of 1.3 MILLION HA IRRIGATED, AND ing acreage of the trees. Of because of the badly managed the total greenhouse area. New A TREMENDOUS WASTE OF WATER course all greenhouse crops are system of irrigation!! protected crops have been intro - With 1.3 million hectares irrigated irrigated. Over the past 30 years, Morocco duced (pineapple and table grapes and an area equipped for irriga - Morocco, a country at the fore - has had to cope with 20 dry years in particular) but the acreage has tion from 1.45 to 1.65 million front of Water Use Efficiency? with 3 episodes of drought, each remained anecdotal. The bulk of hectares (depending on the Unfortunately not! Less than 15% of which lasted for four consecu - the acreage (60%, i.e. close to sources of information), the irri - of the water produced by dams is tive years. This situation has 8,000 ha) is early season vegeta - gated area has not really pro - used as drinking water, while agri - further fragilized the country bles and is by far the num - gressed during the past ten years. culture absorbs a staggering 80%, and placed it in the category ber one crop, covering more than About 1 million ha is managed a large chunk of which is wasted of a water-stressed country. 5,000 ha. through public irrigation schemes or lost through poor irrigation Consequently, Morocco has to Most of the greenhouse area is while 300,000 ha are in the hands methods. An example? The Souss- face the challenges of scarcity of spread along the Atlantic Coast, of private investors. The irrigated Massa River Basin, in southern water resources (WR), and it is with a high concentration in the acreage contributes about 50% of Morocco, covers approximately now imperative for the country to Souss -Massa valley (East of the agricultural earnings. The 27,000 km2. With a year-round manage the increasingly scarce growing season, irrigated agricul - WR as efficiently and as economi - Table 1: Some key figures for Agriculture in Morocco ture in the river basin produces cally as possible. Such manage - (all figures in million ha/tons) 1990 2001/2002 2012/2013 more than half of the country’s ment necessarily involves more unless otherwise indicated exported citrus and vegetables. pro-active and sustainable utiliza - Total area 45 45 45 Approximately 90% of the water tion of irrigation water. To that arable land 998use is for irrigation. Although it end, the Government of Morocco agricultural area 30 31 30 mostly comes from surface water has developed a National permanent pastures 21 21 21 Irrigated area 1.2 1.2 1.3 Fertilizer Consumption(x 1000 t nutrients) 350 362 227 Cereals 5.6 5.1 5.4 of which wheat 2.7 2.6 3.2 Maize 0.4 0.4 0.2 2.4 22 Sugarbeet ( x1000ha) 64 59 36 Sunflower 161 61 17 Cotton (x 1000ha) 18 0.3 0 Grapes ( x1000 ha) 50 48 45 Olives (x 1000ha) 365 550 968 Fruit area( x1000ha) 254 300 364 of which almonds 107 140 151 and groundwater sources, these Irrigation Water Saving citrus 73 76 103 sources are not sufficient to sus - Programme (PNEEI) aimed at apricots 13 14 12 tain current agricultural practices, making the best economical and apples 21 27 32 and groundwater resources are positive use of irrigation water. dates 22 47 71 being depleted. This priority was confirmed by the figs 39 44 51 This over-pumping of the alluvial New National Water Strategy banana (in ha) 1500 4000 5400 aquifer has resulted in water level finalized in 2009 by the Water and Vegetable area (in x1000 ha) 173 182 186 declines ranging from 0.5 to 2.5 Environment Secretariat (SEEE). of which meters per year during the past The said strategy, which should tomatoes 26 18 16 four decades. Continuation of mobilize additional investment Onions 17 30 30 Potatoes 51 62 59 these declines has made pumping estimated at EUR 7.5 billion over String beans (in ha) 1200 8000 5600 uneconomical in some locations the 2009-2030 period, consists in melons and watermelons 39 31 35 already in 2010. Groundwater the implementation of six action Strawberries(in ha) 160 2560 3300 level declines in some areas plans, one of which is especially Greenhouses (in ha) 5800 11500 11500 already have prompted major devoted to efficient management Source FAO, IFA, Ministry of Agriculture actions, such as construction of of water demand. The plan of 54 www.new ag international.com REGIONAL REPORT

nutrients was close to 360 KT in 2000 (its highest level ever, even if still modest – about 50 kg nutri - ents/ha), it is now down to 227 KT nutrients, back to the level of the late seventies! The import, export and distribution of fertilizers in Morocco have been liberalized in 1990. The import taxes have been totally waived and the subsidies as well. While most Nitrogenous (Urea, Ammonium Sulphate and Ammonium Nitrate) and all Potassic (MOP and SOP) fertilizers are imported, the Phosphates (ASP, DAP, MAP and TSP) and most NPKs are locally produced. The dis - tribution of these mainstream fer - action comprises: (a) efficient irri - starting to position themselves. experts, the main reason why the tilizers is mainly in the hands of gation actions (conversion to Irrigation with pivots has not acreage of pivots has gone down long established private compa - localized irrigation accompanied reached the level where it should is that drip equipment is now sub - nies while new players have also by an extension programme); (b) be: pivots were first introduced in sidized 100% while it is only 70% come to the market. Some distri - water development actions. The 1981 when the King offered the for the pivots. bution companies also produce expected impacts of this strategy first equipment to the El Kheir There is little doubt that all types blended formulas for specific crops include more sustainable use of cooperative (region of Beni Mellal) of pressurized and to a certain and regions. water resources (WR) through a after their performance was tested extent also mechanized irrigation Actually, the market had been change in consumer habits and and documented on cereals grown systems have progressed with the stagnating for a number of years. improvement in irrigation tech - in the Royal Estates. proper financial means and incen - The consumption today represents niques, as well as development of The first project was followed by a tives having started to be put in only slightly more than 15% of the high-value added cultivation number of other investments (e.g. place by the Moroccan authorities theoretical need. According to offi - methods. This strategy is being 500 ha in Lahsasna, Settat in the frame of the National cial surveys, more than 50% of the implemented within a contractual province, 1000 ha in the Central Irrigation Water Saving farms do not use any fertilizer! and consultation framework, Bahira region). At the end of Programme (PNEEI). At the same About 1/3 of the total quantity which outlines the responsibilities 1996, 425 pivots were installed in time, the problem of salinity of irri - goes to citrus, sugar beet and veg - of stakeholders. In this connection, the country, representing an irri - gated land will have to be better etables. Cereals (3/4 of the culti - agreements have been signed gated acreage of about 21,000 addressed: more than one third of vated land) represent less than between the SEEE and the 16 ha. Since then the acreage cov - the irrigated acreage is having a 40% of the total consumption. regions of the country. ered seems to have reached a salinity problem! As one may expect, irrigated crops plateau and even declined! The are the main consumers of plant DRIP & SPRINKLER IRRIGATION: most recent estimate by industry A FERTILIZER MARKET nutrients (60% of total) while they CONTRASTED GROWTH experts is that only 14,000 ha are AT ITS LOWEST LEVEL only represent less than 20% of Most of the improvements in irri - today equipped with pivots, within SINCE THE LATE SEVENTIES! the land actually cropped. As the gation systems to-date have come an official figure of 135,000 to What happened to the consump - trend towards cropping more irri - from the private sector: In this sec - include all sorts of mechanized tion of fertilizers in Morocco? gated cash crops is increasing, it is tor, mechanized irrigation that rep - systems! According to industry While the total consumption of more than likely that the con - resented only 10% of the acreage at the end of the eighties now cov - Table 2: Evolution of the value of total agriculture production and food production in Morocco ers more than 50%. Value [Millions of 2004-2006 Int$] Annual growth rate [%] Microirrigation, which had a bad 1997 2002 2007 2012 1997- 2002- 2007- 2002 2007 2012 start, now covers close to 320,000 Total agricultural production 5356 6100 6744 8976 2.64 2.03 5.88 ha ( compared to less than 50,000 Food production 5264 6008 6638 8863 2.68 ha 10 years ago). The market is supplied by a number of compa - Table 3: Evolution of crop production value per ha in Morocco nies where the names of Spanish Value [Millions of 2004-2006 Int$] Annual growth rate [%] manufacturers and American 1997 2002 2007 2012 1997- 2002- 2007- brands emerge as leaders but 2002 2007 2012 Crop production per ha of land in use 361 440 492 624 4.04 2.26 4.87 where Asian companies are also www.new ag international.com 55 REGIONAL REPORT

sumption of commodity fertilizer focus for the government. in broad acre crops may not However, the limited amount of increase again, to the possible arable land, which comprises only exception of some nitrogenous 13.5% of Moroccan territory, com - fertilizers. bined with unstable climate condi - As part of efforts to upgrade tions, constrains the sector’s per - Moroccan agricultural INRA, OCP formance and has led to signifi - Group and the Ministry of cant swings in output in past Agriculture agreed to collaborate years. The small size of most plots, to develop a program which which average 5 ha or less, and includes: Soil fertility maps at the the lack of irrigation also conspire national level, Soil Fertility evalua - to drag down performance. tion and the establishment of As a result, the country has sought interpretation norm for different to dramatically revitalise the sector crops. The results of this program with a comprehensive overhaul, will constitute an important tool spearheaded by the Ministry of for the rational use of fertilizers. ingly popular. Foliar spraying is not foliar liquids, with additives such Agriculture’s Green Morocco Plan only increasingly popular in the as humic & fulvic acids, etc. are (Plan Maroc Vert, PMV). Launched ON THE INCREASE: case of iron: the generally high pH being used, with a market for such in 2008, the plan is targeting a THE SPECIALITY PLANT NUTRITION soils, also containing high active products currently estimated at significant increase in production AND CROP STIMULATION MARKET Calcium, dictate that TE’s such as between 600mt and 800 mt. The volumes as well as an improve - While the trend in the consump - Manganese and Zinc are nearly combined development of protect - ment in the sector’s socioeconom - tion of commodity fertilizer has always deficient. Boron and cop - ed cropping, High Tech olive (and ic returns, particularly in terms of been negative, the situation is dif - per too are often lacking. While other fruit) tree growing and ferti - poverty reduction, employment ferent in the specialities, with an most of these deficiencies (except gation should ensure that the and GDP contribution. increase of about 25% over the Boron of course) have been tradi - growth of the speciality plant The programme consists of two past 10 years. The market is still tionally addressed through the nutrition and crop stimulation phases and should attract modest and dominated by application of raw sulphates, the markets is still there in the future. Dh150bn ( €13.43bn) in invest - straights: 10,000 mt Potassium situation has been changing: more New suppliers have come – ment and create 1.5m jobs by the Nitrate, 5,000 mt Soluble SOP, Spanish and Italian companies are time it is completed. 3,500 mt Calcium Nitrate, and Table 4: Top Crops Production “naturally” at the forefront – fol - Green Morocco Plan focuses on quantity in Morocco (2012) only 1,250 mt of soluble NPKs, to lowing the steps of those who two pillars. First, the accelerated which must be added about 20- Commodity Quantity [t] have pioneered the introduction of development of a modern and Wheat 3878000 25,000 mt of straight Nitrogen high value products competitive agriculture, vital for Potatoes 1656891 products (Urea and AS) used in the (Agronutrition, etc…) the national economy, through the Sugar beet 1626670 fertigation/foliar spray segments. Olives 1315794 realization of a thousand new All these are on the increase as Tomatoes 1219071 THE PLAN “ MAROC VERT”: projects with high added value in well as finished liquids for foliar Barley 1201388 A GOVERNMENT INITIATIVE TO both productions and agro-food. spray and to a less extent for ferti - Oranges 961738 BOOST MODERN AGRICULTURE Second, the plan provides support gation. Well known world players Tangerines, mandarins, Given the prominent place to smallholder agriculture through hold the lion’s share of the market. clementines, satsumas 877111 Morocco’s agricultural sector the implementation or profession - One other market of growing Onions, dry 855764 occupies in the country’s economy; alization of 545 projects of small importance in Morocco is that of Table 5: Top Ten Crops Export boosting production has been a farms in difficult rural areas, there - micronutrients. Perhaps the best- quantity from Morocco (2011) known and most frequently recog - Commodity Quantity [t] nised deficiency is that of iron Tomatoes 392435 chlorosis. This is widespread in cit - Tangerines, mandarins, rus and peaches but also on clementines 348509 apples, pears, vines and strawber - Oranges 171615 ries. The most traditional way to Olives Preserved 85328 address the problem has been and Fruit Prp Nes 67877 Chillies and peppers, green 61539 still is the soil application of Other melons EDDHA chelates – the current (inc.cantaloupes) 52683 market is estimated at 200-250 Pumpkins, squash mt -, but complementary foliar and gourds 41782 sprays (EDTA chelates and other Olive oil, virgin 36004 Fe Specialities) have been increas - Vegetables fresh nes 35869 56 www.new ag international.com REGIONAL REPORT

by promoting greater productivity, resources. The PNEEI, as well as greater recovery of production and A sizeable potential for Biopesticides the National Water Strategy for - sustainability of farm income. This The 1st of July of 2014, the Office National de Sécurité Sanitaire des mulated in 2009 by the Water and second pillar also seeks the con - Produits Alimentaires (ONSSA, National Health and Food Security Environment Secretariat, provide version of cereal crops with higher Office), which regulates the registration of plant protection prod - support to the Green Morocco value added (or less sensitive to ucts in Morocco, following the last meeting held on 27 June 2014 Plan. The project will intervene in 3 precipitation) and processing of by the commission of pesticides for agricultural use, has included water basins (2 with high water local products. and made public officially, the registration of the biofungicide stress levels: the Oum Rbia and To strengthen the projects of these Actinovate, and the bioinsecticides NOFLY and Mycotrol, products the Moulouya, and the 3rd basin, two pillars, PMV is based on proj - of Futureco Bioscience, with the references F11-2-047, F11-2-046 the Loukkos the selection of which ects consisting of the so-called and F11-2-048 respectively. was based on the desire to offset cross-sector framework redesign Although the Moroccan authorities and laws favor the registration the imbalance between cost of and improvement of water policies and trade approval of agrobiological products, three years have energy and the relatively low lev - and land tenure. passed since Futureco Bioscience deposited all the information els of development). Furthermore, the regional declina - needed to make this possible: Reports of efficacy trials, safety for In Tadla and Doukkala regions, tion of the Green Morocco Plan in human and animal health and for the environment as all the tech - land development is based mainly farms aims to build a regional vision nical information required were deposited. on cereal cultivation, sugar beet, and a regionalized agricultural pro - “This milestone in the history of Futureco Bioscience products, market gardening, tree planta - duction, eco-balance between two makes our company become one of the first companies at the head tions, fodder crops and stock- pillars and to mobilize regional and of the distribution of biopesticides in the North African country mar - breeding (especially in Doukkala). national funds, credit agencies, and ket, a market with an enormous potential”, says Jamal In Moulouya basin, fruit cultivation investors as well as other donors Bourakhouadar, Agronomist, Manager of BioGrow Maroc. (citrus fruits, olive trees and wishing to support Morocco in the Other companies involved in biopesticides, such as Koppert, are grapes) is the main agricultural implementation of this Plan. Hence considering the local market potential so important that they also production, whereas sugar cultiva - the creation of 6 agropoli (Meknes, have set up a subsidiary in Morocco. tion, market gardening, ground - Berkane, Souss, Gharb, Tadla and nuts, and cereals are the major Haouz). A specifically created enhance their competitiveness. program which addresses key crops in Loukkos Agency for Agricultural Devel - Morocco has mapped out an challenges such as food security basin. Agro-industrial activity opment (ADA), oversees the imple - ambitious national strategy for the and Morocco’s integration into the (sugar refinery, flour-milling, dairy, mentation of Green Morocco Plan. development of the agricultural global economy”. He also said olive trituration units, tomato pro - sector. Dubbed “Plan Maroc Vert”, that “developing a liberalized and cessing units, etc) is experiencing A PLAN SUPPORTED this strategy, which is backed by diversified market environment rapid growth in all the four areas, BY FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS the WB, is expected to double the will boost the performance of the and the relevant professional In 2013, the World Bank approved value-added of the sector and turn agri-food sector and contribute to organizations are dynamic (dairy a $203 million loan for Morocco the agri-food business into a sta - reducing rural poverty” in the cooperatives, citrus farmers’ asso - to support the efforts made by the ble source of growth, competitive - country. This new WB loan extend - ciations, etc.). North African country to modern - ness, and broad-based economic ed to Morocco was the second in The project is financing the con - ize its agricultural sector expected development in rural areas. For the a series following the first struction of irrigation infrastruc - to create 1.5 million jobs by 2020, World Bank Maghreb Country approved in March 2011. These ture within these 3 basins cover - offer better opportunities to small Director, “the Plan Maroc Vert financial contributions support key ing about 20,000 ha, as well as and large-scale farmers and (Green Plan) is a comprehensive reforms envisaged in the national irrigation water development Plan to strengthen domestic mar - measures and capacity building Table 6: Evolution of the Production of selected commodities in Morocco [x1000 t] kets, help small farmers, enhance activities for the stakeholders agricultural services, and improve involved (executing agencies, 1996 2001 2006 2011 the delivery of irrigation water. Agricultural Water Users’ Wheat 5916 3316 6327 6018 All Cereals 10104 4603 9242 8689 In 2010 already, the African Associations [AUEA], etc.). When Oilcrops 229 118 163 344 Development Bank (ADB) loaned completed at the end of 2014 in Morocco, 53.59 million euros to theory, it will directly affect 5,853 Table 7: Evolution of Fertilizer Consumption and fund the national irrigation pro - farms, with a target population of Irrigated Acreage in Morocco (in x 1000 mt Nutrients & x1000 ha) gramme. The project is supporting almost 30,000 inhabitants. 1970 1980 1990 2000 2012 the implementation of the Total Nitrogen 37.1 114.8 164.0 207.6 170.0 National Irrigation Water Saving CREATING A STRONGER Total Phosphorus P2O5 34.7 95.5 125.0 108.8 25.0 Programme (PNEEI), whose pur - AGRO-INDUSTRIAL SECTOR: Total Potash K2O 16.0 40.9 61.0 51.0 32.0 pose is to protect water resources A KEY TO ACCELERATED Of which Potassium sulphate - 18.4 25.5 15.5 NA and improve the living conditions MODERNIZATION OF AGRICULTURE Total N + P2O5 + K2O 87.8 251.2 350.0 367.4 227.0 of rural populations through sus - The “game” of supplying the Total Irrigated Area 920 1217 1258 1305 1317* tainable management of these Moroccan market with High Tech Source: IFA and FAO. *The total area equipped for irrigation is 1458,000 ha www.new ag international.com 00 REGIONAL REPORT

Ag inputs is very open today: no Table 8: Morocco Evolution of Fertilizer Consumption on hindrance for setting up distribu - Arable Land and Land Under Permanent Crop (kg nutrients/ha) tion networks, no hindrance for 60 s importing any product, no hin - t n

e 40 i r drance for exporting, no hindrance t u n 20 for travelling, no hindrance for g k getting access to information, etc. 0 So why is the market not growing Year 2003 2006 2009 2012 as rapidly as it should? The key - Sources: FAOSTAT, FAO of the UN, Accessed on August 5, 2014. words to the answer are: technol - FAOSTAT, FAO of the UN, Accessed on August 12, 2014. ogy transfer at farm level, educa - efforts and know-how need to be such as aeronautics and automo - tion and…overall economic implemented”. biles, are now drivers of growth growth: during the nineties, and The future will tell whether the and areas of innovation for the despite a number of various criticism was objective, not just Moroccan economy. These areas “adjustments”, the latter has polemics. Analyzing the past per - can help Morocco overcome the been only 2.4% /year on average, formances of the economy and difficulties encountered by certain i.e. hardly above the demographic what has been achieved in the traditional sectors such as textiles. growth. Certainly not the best per - meantime, it would seem that However, a stronger Agro-industri - formance that this beautiful – some of the critics are not fully jus - al sector would also help boost however contrasted in many tified: The Moroccan economy the growth of agriculture. respects – open country is expect - proved resilient in 2013 with a ed to achieve. growth rate of 4.7% after 2.7% in In today’s complex and rapidly A number of people openly criti - 2012 and a forecast of 3.2% and evolving wold, Morocco displays cize the Government vision, saying 4.6% for 2014 and 2015 respec - several troublesome vulnerabili - “For Morocco to defy the norms tively, however driven mainly by ties. In particular micro farms and and declare itself an agricultural domestic consumption and public landless rural households made up country with real and genuine investment, but also by a good 40 % of the rural population in desire for progress is foolish and agricultural year. 2008, but they owned only 5% of plain absurd. For Morocco to The reforms that have been under - irrigated lands and 8% of cultivat - achieve a sustained development way for several years in favour of ed lands. Not much has changed in the magnitude of countries such the private sector were strength - until now. Farming is only part of as Turkey and others it needs a ened in 2013 by a fiscal reform their income. Temporary migration modern agriculture yet supported and the continuation of the reform of the rural youth to urban centres by an industrial sector worthy of of the compensation fund, which and monies the latter send home its name, the development that represents a key step in reducing complement their income. Yet, the Moroccan citizen can benefit public spending. agriculture still plays also an from, not the beautiful hotels, the Morocco has invested in consis - essential social role, giving some 5 star residences and the marinas tent sectoral strategies to accom - basic security, anchoring popula - that he will not set a foot in. The pany the reforms undertaken since tion to the rural areas and avoid - choices are clear, Morocco can’t the early 2000s, which helped ing further migration to cities. If make it with the current agricul - accelerate the economy’s structur - this “social” agriculture would dis - tural policy, and Morocco will fail al transformation and promote appear, resulting increments in the at the first drought session, more new products. New industries, size of the farms acquiring released lands would be limited while the cost of the reconversion of a million people could be con - siderable. The document ‘Agriculture 2030’ released in 2007 just before the “Maroc Plan Vert” was launched highlights the 750,000 small and medium farms whose develop - ment is a key condition for agricul - tural and rural progress. The “Plan Maroc Vet” runs until 2020. It is the main tool to achieve such development. I 00 www.new ag international.com