The 2018 crop year takes place in best conditions thanks to recent rains, which lifted harvest expectations to 98.2 million quintals, Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development Minister announced. Morocco witnessed an accumulated rainfall of 370 mm that is 16% up compared to a normal year, conducive to dam filling rate standing at 67% by mid-April, said Aziz Akhannouch. By the end of 2018, irrigated areas covered 590,000 hectares, which has been reflected in higher output and water saving. With 4 million jobs, agriculture is the biggest employer in Morocco representing 14 percent of Morocco’s GDP equivalent to 110 billion dirhams. Since 2008, 250,000 jobs have been created in the agricultural sector with a 65% rise in agricultural exports.

Source: The North Africa Journal April 24, 2018 10:30 UTC