MOROCCO is a perfect agricultural country due to a rich and various relief composed of vast plains all along the Atlantic coast and the Mediterranean which are subject to climatic influences of oceanic, Mediterranean, desert, mountain and continental origin.
This environment has always encouraged the establishment of important agricultural regions throughout the territory whose the products are distinguished worldwide for their authentic flavours and colours.
Moroccan agriculture has been grafted into the socio-economic environment of the country as a strategic lever for development benefiting from incentive support measures and plans from the public authorities, thus inducing continuous progress in the management of its resources, diversification of its productivity and profitability.
FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
Thanks to a dam’s network spread across the country and the extension of irrigated areas, the fruit and vegetable sector offer strong opportunities for export development. Indeed, by its geographical position and its climate, Morocco is positioned as an important international supplier of the citrus, tomato, and fresh, frozen or brine vegetables segments in addition to fresh fruits (melon, strawberry) as well as the table oils and olives.
The used culture modes of this sector are seasonal in the open field or in a greenhouse. The exports of this sector are growing continuously.
THE LOCAL PRODUCTS
The Moroccan regions biodiversity is fertile in various local products marked by organic characteristics and centuries-old preparation know-how of the rural population of these regions.
Aromatic plants Saffron, Chamomile, Rosemary, Argan oil, Orange oil capers, as many products which are grown or available naturally in these regions are sources of income for the local population which are organized into rural cooperatives whose the activity is centred on planting, harvesting or picking and drying these products.
Consumption and request for local organic Moroccan products are constantly evolving internationally and locally, more particularly in the cosmetics industry, which presents an opportunity and potential for commercial development for this sector
AGRI FOOD INDUSTRY
Due to the predominance of agriculture in Morocco, the Agri-food industry represents a value-added support and a strategic lever that allows to value and regulate agricultural production. The fruit and vegetable industry is an important component of the Moroccan industrial fabric dominated by the transforming and conservation of vegetables and fruit, followed by juices and tomato preparations.
The activity of preserving vegetables is the most important in terms of added value and exports. It includes, in particular, the canning of olives, pickles, capers, and small peppers. The fruit preservation activity comes in second position, in terms of added value and export, it mainly concerns canned apricots.
FOOD HEALTH SECURITY
Ensure the safety of food products from raw materials to the end consumer, including fishery products and animal feed.
Approve and control agricultural inputs (seeds, pesticides, fertilizers) and veterinary drugs.
Apply the laws and regulations relating to veterinary and phytosanitary health policy.
Evaluate health risks.
In order to ensure the sanitary control and protection of plant and animal heritage at the national level and at the borders, the Moroccan government has set up a strategic office for Food Sanitary Security (ONSSA) which manages authorizations on behalf of the State. relating to the preservation of animal and plant health and food products, including fishery products and animal feed.
It is therefore responsible for monitoring compliance with food standards, establishing effective food regulatory control systems (including to prepare for and react to emergency situations), to apply good practices. agriculture (land cultivation, aquatic cultivation, animal husbandry, horticulture), strengthen the use of food safety management systems
ONSSA : National food security office
GOUVERNANCE
Today and in order to consolidate the results of this plan, a new 2020-2030 strategy called “green generation” has been implemented based on two fundamental pillars, the human element and the sustainability of agricultural development.
Indeed, this program aims to increase the income of rural families with access to social protection, to assist young agricultural entrepreneurs with projects as well as to develop the skills of farmers through the deployment of agricultural advisers at the regional level.
In order to ensure sustainable development and deal with climate change, this plan recommends the introduction of new irrigation technology and soil conservation while improving the quality of production by adapting it to new consumption patterns.
Over the past decade, the Moroccan government has put in place a roadmap called the “Green Morocco Plan” which was based on several transversal projects involving all the administrations incharge of the sector and has been rolled out at the regional level.
The main objectives of this plan were to attract more investment to small and medium-sized family farms and large-scale farms in order to create jobs and allow local people to settle on their land.
The results of this program, which profoundly transformed Moroccan agricultural activity, were notable and effective in terms of agricultural GDP, the expansion of irrigated areas, with a strong increase in production and increase in exports.
This roadmap also recommends strengthening the distribution and commercial logistics of products as well as the reinforcement of sectors in order to double agricultural GDP, exports and enhance 70% of production.
Through this article we hope to have attracted your curiosity on the dynamics and the strong assets which characterize the Moroccan agricultural sectors whose qualitative and quantitative production is varied in order to meet the demand for quality Mediterranean products on the international market.
Food and beeyond
THE GATEWAY TO SUCCESSFUL OPPORTUNITIES
