The head of the Moroccan government, Aziz Akhannouch, participated this Monday, May 8 in the plenary session devoted to the answers to the monthly questions relating to the general policy, during which he addressed several subjects, in particular the situation of the agricultural sector, the dairy and the import of cattle, which have drawn criticism.
Thus in his answers, Aziz Akhannouch stressed that Moroccan agriculture cannot be exempt from the exceptional and transitional periods that the country is experiencing, and which have a direct impact on the productivity of agricultural crops and on the prices of agricultural products.
Indeed, the Head of Government mentioned that the COVID-19 pandemic had a direct impact on the balance of the agricultural sector, which negatively affected the distribution circuit of red meat and milk. He also pointed out that the dairy sector had experienced a crisis in 2019, and that the necessary measures had not been taken.
Climate change was also mentioned by the head of government, who underlined that the drought experienced by Morocco in 2022 was one of the most powerful of its kind for 4 decades, noting that without water, farmers will not be able to not cultivate their land and provide essential products. In this sense, Akhannouch called to pray to Gods for mercy and rain, and stressed that despite the difficulties encountered, all essential products are available.
The Head of Government also mentioned inflation, which was largely caused by external factors, but he stressed that the water issue is also an important factor to take into account.
In response to the criticisms that have accompanied the Kingdom’s importation of cattle from abroad, Aziz Akhannouch recalled that during the last 10 or 12 years, times were good and there was no inflation, but that if today there is no rain and the cattle industry is disorganized, there is no harm in importing 28,000 cattle out of a national herd of 3 million head. ” This is not the end of the world” , he added.
Akhannouch also pointed out that for the last four (4) years, the cows have been eating only barley without vegetables in their pasture, which does not allow them to produce good milk and fatten it to a higher quality. In this regard, he called for a logical discussion with citizens and recalled that the reorganization of the beef sector will take about two years.
