Morocco’s Cereal Output to Reach 11.2 Million Tons

Meknes, 17/04/2017 (MAP) – Morocco’s cereal output is expected to hit a record 11.2 million tons this year, up 203 pc from the previous season, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Development, Water and Forests, Aziz Akhannouch, said on Monday in Meknes.

“This year’s cereal output is expected to hit record levels between the three main cereals: 5.4 million tons for common wheat, 3 million tons for barley and 2.5 million tons for durum wheat”, Akhannouch said at the opening ceremony of the 9th Agricultural Conference, held under the theme “Agriculture and food security through water”.

“The current season was marked by good rainfall, well distributed in space and time, with a moderate temperature, which has allowed for the supply and use of inputs”, the minister pointed out.

Thus, the level of sales of certified seed increased dramatically by 52% over the previous year, while the area sown with autumn cereals exceeded 52%, Akhannouch noted.

He added that remarkable growth in the production of all agricultural sectors, namely citrus fruits with a harvest of 2.4 million tonnes (+ 20%) and dates (117,000 tonnes).

The 9th Conference kicked off on Monday with the participation of Mr. Alpha Condé, Chairman of the African Union (AU) and President of the Republic of Guinea, the distinguished guest of this edition.