Morocco's Minister Praises Gharb Region's Agricultural Achievements

Moroccan Minister of Agriculture Ahmed Boudra lauded the significant agricultural achievements in the Gharb region during a board meeting of the Regional Office for Agricultural Investment in Gharb (ORAOG) in Kenitra. The meeting reviewed the 2025 accomplishments and the execution of the 2026 budget, alongside an assessment of development projects.

Boudra emphasized the region's crucial role in national agricultural output, especially for grains, sugar crops, rice, milk, citrus, and berries. He called for continued modernization of the sector, enhanced sustainable water resource management, and accelerated implementation of structural projects. The minister also acknowledged the coordinated efforts of ORAOG staff, local authorities, professionals, and farmers in mitigating the impact of recent floods and preserving the agricultural season's momentum.

The ORAOG director presented technical and financial achievements for 2025 and the budget execution for 2026. The 2024-2025 agricultural season saw positive results, with grain production increasing by 37%, sugar crops by 44%, and pulses by 45%. Livestock feed production reached 3.82 million tons. Agricultural exports rose by 45%, with seven new processing units established. Efforts also continue in agricultural aggregation, solidarity farming, land redistribution, and modernizing marketing channels.

Regarding water management, ORAOG replaced approximately 180 kilometers of cement irrigation pipes with high-density polyethylene ones and equipped an additional 1,418 hectares with localized irrigation systems. The total equipped area now exceeds 62,500 hectares. The board also reviewed measures taken post-floods, including support for affected farmers, livestock preservation, and health monitoring, alongside an emergency program to repair damaged hydro-agricultural infrastructure. Financially, the office reported high execution rates, with 96% commitment and 90% performance for the 2025 investment budget. The revenue from irrigation water services increased by 49% compared to the previous year.

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The minister emphasized the importance of the Gharb region in national agricultural production, especially in the chains of grains, sugar crops, rice, milk, citrus, and red fruits, calling for continued modernization of the sector, strengthening sustainable water resource management, and accelerating the implementation of structural projects.