Essaouira: Launch of several projects under the Green Generation strategy

The Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests, Ahmed El Bouari, paid a field visit on Sunday to the territorial commune of El Korimate (province of Essaouira), focused on monitoring and launching several agricultural and rural projects implemented under the “Green Generation” strategy, notably solidarity agriculture projects and the programme for the promotion of local products.

During the visit, Mr El Bouari, accompanied by officials from agricultural services at the central, regional, and provincial levels, inspected two experimental platforms dedicated to the planting of carob trees and atriplex, covering a total area of 46 hectares.

On the same occasion, the minister oversaw the distribution of agricultural equipment, materials intended for the promotion of local products, as well as water tanks for the benefit of agricultural cooperatives and livestock breeders’ groups affiliated with the National Association of Sheep and Goat Breeders.

The visit also provided an opportunity to review solidarity agriculture projects and the diversification of production systems implemented for the benefit of small-scale farmers, rural women, and young people in the province.

In this context, ten projects were launched with total investments exceeding 132 million dirhams (MAD), benefiting more than 7,000 farmers.

Investments mobilised under the local products promotion programme in the province exceeded 18 million dirhams, benefiting 150 cooperatives bringing together more than 1,400 members. The aim is to strengthen the competitiveness of local products, improve conditions for their promotion, and support cooperatives.

Meanwhile, the programme for rangeland development and strengthening the resilience of pastoral livestock farming mobilises total investments estimated at nearly 15 million dirhams.

In a statement to MAP, the Provincial Director of Agriculture in Essaouira, Loubna Bousso, said that the province is experiencing dynamic and integrated agricultural development under the “Green Generation” strategy, through the implementation of ten structuring agricultural projects benefiting more than 16,000 beneficiaries, with a budget envelope of approximately 136 million dirhams.

These projects, she added, aim to strengthen plant production, notably through the planting of fruit trees such as argan, carob, and caper trees, as well as support animal production through the acquisition of goat and sheep breeding stock to improve breeds and ensure quality livestock.

Ms Bousso also stressed that the strategy contributes to job creation, particularly for rural youth and women, through the development of income-generating activities, the acquisition of agricultural equipment and tools dedicated to harvesting and maintenance, and the promotion of local products for the benefit of women.

She further noted that the province has a strong cooperative fabric and diversified local products, including argan oil, olive oil, and honey, which have enabled the province of Essaouira to win several gold and silver medals at national and international fairs.

This visit took place as part of the celebration of the International Day of the Argan Tree, organised under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, as an important step in highlighting the efforts made by the Kingdom to preserve, rehabilitate, and sustainably develop the argan ecosystem, considered an exceptional natural, cultural, and human heritage recognised internationally.