Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

World

King of Morocco allocates one billion dollars to combat drought effects

King of Morocco

Rabat, (Business News Report)|| King Mohammed VI of Morocco has announced the allocation of one billion US dollars to combat the effects of drought affecting the country.

The King announced the decision during his meeting with Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, and Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests of Morocco, Mohamed Seddiqi.

The Moroccan agricultural season witnesses a significant decrease in rainfall. The national average of precipitation was only 75 mm, recording a 64% deficit compared to a normal season.

The statement pointed out that this current climatic and water situation negatively affects the course of the agricultural season, especially autumn crops and the provision of pasture for livestock.

The emergency program aims “to mitigate the effects of the delay in rainfall, reduce the its impact on agricultural activity, and provide assistance to the concerned farmers and livestock breeders.”

The amount to be allocated to finance the program is 10 billion dirhams (940 million euros). It aims to protect animal and plant capital and manage water shortages, as well as finance market supply operations with wheat and fodder and reduce the financial burdens of farmers.

The program also includes “financing innovative investments in the field of irrigation”.

Despite the improvement in crops in 2021, the drought significantly affected agriculture at the beginning of 2022.

The Moroccan Royal Court said that “this current climatic and water situation negatively affects the conduct of the agricultural season, especially autumn plantings and the provision of pasture for livestock.”

According to official data, dam reserves are at their lowest levels, as the rate of fullness barely reached 33 percent on Wednesday, compared to 48 percent at the same time last year.

The Kingdom’s economy, which has been severely affected by the health crisis, also depends heavily on the agricultural sector, which is the main contributor to the gross domestic product by up to 14 percent.

In early February, rain prayers were held in all mosques in Morocco.

The drought is expected to gradually increase in Morocco until 2050, due to the impact of a decrease in rainfall (-11 percent) and an increase in temperatures (+1,3 degrees Celsius), according to the Ministry of Agriculture.

Meanwhile, a report by the Ministry expected that this would lead to a “decrease in the availability of irrigation water by more than 25 percent.”

Finance

In an interview with ET Now, Dabur India Director Mohit Burm..

Science

The 147th Open championship will be at Carnoustie Golf Club in Scotland. Jan Kruger/R&A Golfers ..

Tech

Enlarge Oliver Morris/Getty Images) In response to an Ars re..

Tech

Enlarge/ You wouldn't really want to use Nvidia's ..