Morocco Launches Subsidized Barley Program for Drought-Affected Farmers

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests, "the barley will be made available to livestock farmers at a fixed price of 2 dirhams per kilogram; the state will cover the difference with the market price."

This approach is part of a targeted safeguard program that also includes "the coverage of transport from the barley sales centers to the town halls of remote and hard-to-reach communes at the provincial level concerned.

In plain language, the distribution operation is announced for Friday through the various provinces most affected by the lack or large deficit of rainfall, under the watchful eye of the ministry. The latter also closely monitors the evolution of the agricultural season through daily indicators of the situation across the national territory for any additional actions that may be necessary.

Speaking about the agricultural season characterized by a rainfall deficit in several regions, the Agriculture Department maintains that the lack of rain has particularly impacted the fallow pastures and forage crops necessary to cover the food needs of the national herd. The other crops in the favorable areas, although affected, according to the regions and in places, "do not present a worrying situation, especially with the latest rains that continue and will have a very positive impact".