Drought Threatens Morocco’s Cannabis Crops, Farmers Seek Government Aid

The lack of rain and snow is negatively affecting the current agricultural season in Morocco, said Mohamed About, head of the Rif Mountain Association (Ligue de Jibel Rif), to Hespress. "The Rif mountain region (where cannabis, a major resource for the local population, is produced) is no exception. It is also directly affected by the lack of precipitation," he added. Fearing a dry season, the farmers in the region are calling on the government for help.

According to the explanations of Mohamed About, agriculture in the Rif mountains is different from the rest of the regions of Morocco, due to the nature of the terrain and the cold weather that prevails there. The plowing season begins in the Rif mountains in March, while it starts as early as the beginning of winter in the rest of the national areas. "The Rif mountains are relatively high and located in the north of the kingdom and therefore experience snowfall seasons more or less suitable depending on the weather. March therefore becomes the most suitable month for the start of the plowing season," explained the official, adding that the "delay in these areas forces the population to depend on irrigation instead of rain, because agriculture is still maturing throughout the summer months".