2023-04-29 09:30:34
The forecast production of the main cereals (common wheat, durum wheat and barley), for the 2022/2023 agricultural campaign is estimated at nearly 55.1 million quintals (Mqx), against 34 Mqx in 2021/2022, announcement, Friday, the Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Waters and Forests.
This is a considerable increase of around 62% compared to the previous campaign, the ministry said in a press release, indicating that this production comes from an area sown in main cereals of 3.67 Million Hectares against 3.57 Million Hectares in 2021/2022, an increase of 2.8%.
By species, this production is spread over soft wheat (29.8 Mqx), durum wheat (11.8 Mqx) and barley (13.5 Mqx), details the same source.
In addition, four regions account for 82.9% of national production, in particular, Fès-Meknes (27.1%), Rabat-Salé-Kénitra (26.5%), Grand Casablanca-Settat (16.9 %) and Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima (12.4%).
In addition, the press release underlines that on current April 27, the current agricultural campaign recorded a cumulative rainfall of 207 mm, i.e. a decrease of 36% compared to a normal year (322mm) but an increase of 13% compared to the previous campaign (184 mm) on the same date.
The start of the campaign was characterized, notes the same source, by unfavorable climatic conditions with a delay in the first rains and a notable water deficit and an inadequate spatiotemporal distribution, in particular from the month of September until the 1st decade of the month of November 2022 and having delayed the installation of autumn crops and negatively impacted the state of the rangelands.
The rains were concentrated in the period of the second dekad from November 2022 to the end of February 2023 with light precipitation in March and early April in certain regions.
Likewise, the current campaign is characterized, continues the press release, by unstable temperatures, with low minima in February and March and above the levels of the previous campaign from April.
Regarding the filling rate of dams on April 27, it is 33%, against 31% in the same period of the previous campaign, the ministry said, adding that the total national reservoir for agricultural use reached nearly 4 .48 billion m3 against 4.26 billion the previous campaign over the same period.
Apart from the regions of Gharb and Loukkos where irrigation continues normally, the other large perimeters have suffered restrictions or even the cessation of irrigation, the press release specifies, noting, in this sense, that large dams show low occupancy rate, particularly in the Haouz and Tadla regions.
And to specify that the agricultural campaign is also part of a climatic sequence of 5 difficult years marked by the succession of dry years (4 out of the last 5 years).
Regarding the forecast production of the main tree species, it is on the rise, after having experienced a remarkable drop in 2022, under the effect of unfavorable climatic conditions, indicates the ministry.
“The relatively better favorable conditions than those that prevailed in 2022 allowed good flowering, announcing a foreseeable return to normal for citrus and olive production. The exceptionally favorable climatic conditions in the south of the Atlas also announce an increase in the date campaign compared to last year”, according to the press release.
Regarding the spring vegetable production, it allowed a recovery of the market for the main vegetables, namely tomatoes, onions and potatoes.
Indeed, the early production in progress made it possible to supply the national market and to cover the needs and to respond to export. The joint efforts of professionals and the Ministry have made it possible to regulate the tomato market while continuing to export. Low temperatures in February and March disrupted harvests and led to price increases per period.
With the exception of potatoes, the prices of green onions and tomatoes are down and are at normal levels, the same source points out, adding that as for the installation of spring market gardening, the program proceeds normally.
It should be noted that the inflation which has caught up with the agricultural sector has greatly impacted production costs with a notable increase in agricultural inputs, particularly those imported such as nitrogen fertilizers and phytosanitary products.
After a succession of dry years, the 2022/2023 campaign is characterized by correct vegetation cover on the rangelands, particularly in the south, Timahdit and the mountain areas.
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