By Abbas Nazil
King Mohammed VI of Morocco chaired a high-level ministerial council in Rabat, where he reviewed the country’s comprehensive recovery plans for water management and agriculture.
This strategic meeting underscored Morocco’s intensified efforts to mitigate the impact of an unprecedented six-season drought, which has deeply affected the kingdom’s agricultural and livestock sectors.
The monarch specifically engaged the Minister of Agriculture, Ahmed Bouari, on the current status of agriculture and the effectiveness of recent interventions.
In response, Minister Bouari emphasized the positive effects of the recent rainfall, especially in March, which brought much-needed relief to various agricultural activities.
According to the minister, the rainfall significantly boosted cereal production and revitalized both autumn and spring crops.
The water replenishment also benefited fruit trees, enhanced vegetation cover, and improved conditions for livestock across the country.
Recognizing the critical situation faced by Moroccan herders due to the prolonged drought and livestock depletion, King Mohammed VI instructed the government to ensure the success of the herd rebuilding operation.
He called for a professional and transparent approach, grounded in objective criteria, and directed that local authority-supervised commissions oversee all support management operations.
This move aligns with the broader objective of revitalizing the livestock sector and safeguarding rural livelihoods.
Earlier in the year, the monarch took a groundbreaking decision by canceling the Eid Al Adha sacrifice ritual — a deeply symbolic and traditional practice in Morocco.
This exceptional measure was introduced in response to the critical decline in livestock populations and aimed at aiding the country’s broader goal of restoring agricultural and water system stability.
As part of the recovery strategy, the government also banned the slaughter of female goats and sheep, underscoring a commitment to rebuilding breeding stocks.
In parallel with the agricultural review, King Mohammed VI evaluated Morocco’s water management recovery strategy.
Minister of Water, Nizar Baraka, presented updated statistics showing a notable improvement in the national dam filling rate, now at 40.3%.
This development translates into a mobilization of approximately 6.7 billion cubic meters of water, enough to supply Morocco with potable water for around one and a half years.
This marks a significant rise from the 28% filling rate recorded earlier in the year, when reserves barely reached 4.6 billion cubic meters.
Despite the gains in water storage, Minister Bouari noted that agriculture remains the most affected sector due to prioritization of water supplies for drinking and industrial uses.
As a result, irrigation areas continue to face stringent water regulations and rationing.
The meeting signaled a renewed commitment to integrated water-agriculture policy reforms, aiming to secure long-term resilience in the face of climate challenges.
