Morocco Unveils $750 Million Plan to Boost Date Palm Production by 2030

On the sidelines of the 15th edition of the International Agricultural Show in Morocco, a program contract was signed to achieve ambitious goals. Worth 7.5 billion dirhams, this investment agreement aims to strengthen the date palm sector by improving distribution channels, quality, innovation, research and development, as well as the preservation of the natural resources of the palm grove. Its duration is 10 years. The planting of 3 million date palm plants to rehabilitate the traditional palm grove, including 2.6 million plants in the Drâa-Tafilalet region, 142,000 in the Oriental, 193,000 in Souss-Massa and 35,000 in Guelmim-Oued Noun is planned as part of this program contract. Similarly, an extension of plantations outside the traditional areas is planned. Two million vitroplants will be planted on an area of 14,000 hectares in the Drâa-Tafilalet, Souss-Massa, Oriental and Guelmim-Oued Noun regions, for a total targeted area of 21,000 hectares.

The purpose of the project is to produce 300,000 tons per year by 2030, which will not only reduce the dependence on traditional palm groves, but also boost exports. Morocco will work to increase its exports to 70,000 tons by 2030 compared to 3,600 tons in 2020. Other objectives to be achieved: promotion of sustainability and preservation of natural resources, use of drip irrigation, adoption of environmentally friendly agricultural practices and use of solar energy for irrigation and for the operation of processing units, establishment by 2030 of 10 units for the valorization of by-products.