Farming Knowleagde

Morocco is a traditional agriculture and animal husbandry country. Agriculture occupies an important position in the national economy and social life. The population of agriculture, animal husbandry and fishery accounts for 50% of the country's total population, with 9.256 million hectares of arable land. Agricultural output value accounts for 20% of GDP, and agricultural exports account for 30% of total export revenue. The main crops are wheat, barley, corn, fruits, vegetables and so on. Agriculture depends on the sky for food, with great ups and downs. The grain output in 2016 was 1,250 tons. The animal husbandry is relatively developed, mainly raising cattle, sheep, chickens, and camels. In 2016, the number of livestock on hand reached 24.44 million, an increase of 4.4% over the previous year. The fishery resources are extremely rich. The export of sardines ranks first in the world, and it is the largest fish producing country in Africa. Now it has 2609 offshore fishing boats, 500 ocean-going fishing boats, and thousands of small boats. 500,000 employees. In order to protect the fishery resources, the fishing moratorium was extended to 8 months, and the output declined for 3 consecutive years. In 2015, the fishing volume was 892,000 tons and the output value was USD 450 million. The output of sardines is 758,000 tons.

Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fishery

The agricultural population accounts for 50% of the country’s total population, with 9.256 million hectares of arable land. Agricultural output value accounts for 20% of GDP, and agricultural exports account for 30% of total export revenue. The main crops are wheat, barley, corn, fruits, vegetables and so on. Agriculture depends on the sky for food, with great ups and downs. In 2004, the grain output was 8.55 million tons. The animal husbandry is relatively developed, mainly raising cattle, sheep, chickens, and camels. In 2004, the number of livestock on hand reached 24.44 million, an increase of 4.4% over the previous year.

The fishery resources are extremely rich. The export of sardines ranks first in the world, and it is the largest fish producing country in Africa. Now it has 2609 offshore fishing boats, 500 ocean-going fishing boats, and thousands of small boats. 500,000 employees. In order to protect the fishery resources, the fishing moratorium was extended to 8 months, and the output declined for 3 consecutive years. In 2004, the fishing volume was 892,000 tons and the output value was 450 million US dollars. The output of sardines is 758,000 tons.

Agriculture Overview

Morocco is a traditional agricultural country, and agriculture occupies an important position in the national economy and social life. In 2001, the agricultural output value accounted for nearly 13% of the gross national product, and the agricultural workforce accounted for nearly 50% of the country’s total employment.

1. The development status of animal husbandry

Animal husbandry is one of the pillars of traditional Moroccan agriculture. The animal husbandry in Morocco is dominated by raising cattle, sheep and chickens, as well as many camels. Due to the different natural conditions, there are obvious regional differences in the way of animal husbandry in Morocco. In the areas on the western slope of the Atlas Mountains and the coastal plains where planting is the mainstay, animal husbandry appears in the form of farmers' sideline businesses, mostly in the form of house feeding.

2. Development of marine fisheries

Marine fisheries are Morocco’s main source of foreign exchange, and fishery exports account for 56% of agricultural exports and at the same time account for 16% of total exports. For a long time, marine fisheries have been the backbone of Morocco's economy. Morocco is regarded as the largest fishery market in Africa. However, in order to protect fishery resources, the fishing moratorium was extended to 8 months, and production has declined for three consecutive years.

3. The characteristics of planting production

Morocco's agricultural land is 8.7 million hectares, accounting for 13% of the country's land area, of which 1.2 million hectares are irrigated. Its unique geographical location and climatic conditions provide a diversified ecological environment, which provides the possibility of planting diversity. However, Moroccan agriculture is of the type of "depending on the sky for food". In years with abundant rain, agricultural production increases. However, in recent years, drought has become a structural constraint on agricultural production. Agricultural production has failed year after year, and the situation of agricultural production is quite severe. How to deal with the challenges brought by drought to agricultural production and achieve food self-sufficiency is one of the major issues facing the Moroccan government.