Morocco Implements Checks to Boost Livestock Herd Through Breeder Compliance

The Moroccan Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, and Rural Development is actively engaged in a crucial national effort to bolster the country's livestock population. The ongoing verification process ensures that breeders are adhering to the program's core objective: retaining female sheep and goats essential for reproduction.

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This process, which began on March 24, is progressing significantly, having surpassed the halfway mark and currently nearing 60 percent.

This initiative, launched on March 24th, is a cornerstone of the national herd rebuilding program. Field data indicates a strong commitment from breeders, with over 60% of the targeted animals already accounted for. Local mixed committees are diligently monitoring the situation, confirming that the majority of breeders are indeed preserving their breeding stock, identified by plastic ear tags.

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The data collected in the field so far has shown a commitment from breeders to retain the female sheep and goats that were previously counted and tagged between June and August 2025, during the general livestock census.

Financial incentives are playing a significant role in motivating breeders. The second phase of payments has already been distributed to more than 400,000 breeders across Morocco, either through bank transfers or money orders. This financial support is crucial, especially given the current economic climate, which includes rising feed costs and veterinary expenses. The program aims to provide a much-needed buffer, encouraging breeders to hold onto their female animals rather than selling them, particularly as favorable vegetation conditions emerge in various regions.

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The mixed local committees responsible for field evaluation have observed that the majority of breeders are retaining female sheep and goats intended for breeding, which were previously tagged and marked with plastic ear tags.

The program's structure includes specific grants: 400 Moroccan dirhams for each retained ewe and 300 dirhams for each retained she-goat, as previously stated by the Minister of Agriculture. Nabil Rouissi, a breeder from Oulad Teima and a member of the National Association of Sheep and Goat Breeders (ANOC), confirmed the general success of the monitoring process, noting that most breeders are complying. He highlighted the importance of sustained support, especially outside the rainy season, to ensure the long-term viability of livestock farming in the Kingdom. The overall budget for this national herd rebuilding program for 2025-2026 is substantial, with a significant portion already allocated to the initial phase, benefiting over a million breeders.

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The monitoring operations carried out over the past three weeks have enabled the disbursement of the second installment for over 400,000 breeders in Morocco, either through bank transfers or financial remittances, pending the completion of the remaining breeder lists within the current month of April.