The Agricultural Chamber of the Tangier-Tetouan region organised a sensitisation and information day in M'Diq dedicated to the measures taken within the framework of the Green Morocco Plan to help farmers. Opening this event, the governor of the M'Diq-Fnideq prefecture, Mohamed M'Rabet, recalled the Royal High Instructions that accompanied the launch of the Green Morocco Plan.
He also highlighted the importance of the agricultural sector in the economy of the M'Diq-Fnideq prefecture, which can play the role of a locomotive capable of supporting the socio-economic development of this part of the Kingdom. "The biological and ecological diversity of the M'Diq-Fnideq prefecture is a factor capable of facilitating the material aid reserved for farmers within the framework of the Green Morocco Plan," stressed Mr. M'Rabet. For his part, the president of the Agricultural Chamber of the Tangier-Tetouan region, Abdeslam Biari, made a point of recalling the policy of the Ministry of Agriculture and Maritime Fisheries, a policy that gives pride of place to supporting farmers in their projects and involving them within the framework of the Green Morocco Plan.
He highlighted the importance of this sensitisation day for farmers who are already aware of the importance of the programme. For his part, the provincial director of Agriculture gave exhaustive explanations concerning the procedures for granting material aid to farmers.
He particularly insisted on the importance that the Green Morocco Plan attaches to the qualification of skills and the grouping of farmers within the framework of agricultural cooperatives.
He also emphasised the substantial financial support that will be offered to small and large farmers as well as to breeders and any other person wishing to invest in this field. Finally, let us recall that the provincial directorate of Agriculture of Tetouan supervises more than 26,000 farmers managing a total area of 300,000 hectares, the majority of which is covered by oak and cork oak forests. Most of the farmers in the region are interested in this regard in the rehabilitation of old trees, beekeeping, and goat farming, which adapt to the rugged terrain of the region.
Questions to: Abdeslam Biari, President of the Agricultural Chamber of the Tangier-Tetouan region"We must take advantage of the aid granted within the framework of the Green Morocco Plan"What place does agriculture occupy in the economy of M'Diq-Fnideq, which has an eminently tourist vocation?
While tourism is active in particular during the summer season, agriculture in the M'Diq-Fnideq region is a permanent project throughout the year. Moreover, it is an activity that is in close correlation with several other socio-economic sectors. That is why we must take advantage of the aid granted within the framework of the Green Morocco Plan.
What could farmers gain by grouping themselves into cooperatives?Farmers who combine their efforts within the framework of a cooperative are generally exempt from taxes and can easily receive donations and aid to successfully carry out their agricultural projects. I cite as an example the Northern Dairy Cooperative, which dates back to the 80s and which has succeeded in establishing itself at the regional level.
What are the prospects for the Green Morocco Plan in your opinion?This important programme launched by His Majesty the King is a carrier of several opportunities for development and investment in the field of agriculture. It is a programme that also provides for material aid for large and small farmers who can benefit from adequate training allowing them to succeed in their projects.
