Casablanca – The Moroccan government has announced a series of financial incentives aimed at supporting farmers in the marketing and storage of certified cereal and legume seeds for the 2025–2026 agricultural season. The measures, introduced through a joint decree issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests, together with the Delegate Minister in charge of the Budget, aim to stabilize input costs, improve access to high-quality seeds, and enhance overall agricultural productivity.
The decree, published in Official Gazette No. 7492 under Decision No. 2476.25, applies to both domestically produced and imported certified seeds marketed by approved seed companies. It covers multiple categories, including pre-basic seeds (3G), basic seeds (G4), first multiplication (1R), second multiplication (R2), and, exceptionally, second-generation multiplication seeds (GUR2) for soft wheat, durum wheat, and barley.
Technical standards and certification
The government has set clear technical requirements for the certified seeds. Wheat and barley seeds must have a minimum germination rate of 77%, while damaged seeds must not exceed 0.1%. All seeds must be treated and packaged in yellow bags with clear labeling to ensure traceability and quality control. These standards apply across both domestic production and imported seed batches.
Financial incentives for seed marketing
Financial support varies according to seed type and category. For domestically produced seeds, marketing subsidies are set at:
- Soft wheat: $26.29 per quintal
- Durum wheat: $24.22 per quintal
- Barley: $29.38 per quintal
- Oats and triticale: $18.55 per quintal
- Fava beans: $21.13 per quintal
- Lentils and chickpeas: $40.72 per quintal
- Forage peas and other seeds: $18.55 per quintal
Imported seeds receive higher subsidies to encourage the use of certified material. Pre-basic imported seeds can receive up to $82.53 per quintal, while basic imported seeds are eligible for $51.57 per quintal. Exceptional aid is also provided for imported first-multiplication seeds.
The subsidies are calculated based on the difference between the non-subsidized market price and the maximum allowable sale price for certified seeds. Maximum prices for farmers have been established to ensure affordability: soft wheat and barley at $39.18 per quintal, durum wheat at $51.55 per quintal, lentils and chickpeas at $118.56 per quintal, fava beans at $82.53 per quintal, oats at $62.84 per quintal, and forage peas at $63.34 per quintal.
Storage subsidies
To support seed availability throughout the season, the government also introduced a storage subsidy of $0.52 per quintal per month, applicable for up to nine months. This support covers a total of 400,000 quintals, whether domestically produced or imported. Storage subsidies are distributed according to the volume of remaining seed stocks at the start of the season, ensuring fair access for all certified seed companies.
Application and monitoring procedures
Approved seed companies must submit detailed applications to the Directorate of Production Chain Development within 12 months of the marketing season, with possible extensions in justified cases. Required documents include laboratory analysis certificates, stock verification reports, detailed sales invoices, and any loss declarations. Authorities review applications, prepare reports on quantities sold, and notify companies of approval or rejection within 30 days, extendable once by two months. Companies are required to maintain daily sales records and invoices for monitoring purposes.
Impact on agriculture and food security
These measures aim to improve farmers’ access to high-quality, certified seeds, helping them achieve better crop yields while stabilizing prices for essential agricultural inputs. By supporting both marketing and storage, the government seeks to ensure that seeds remain available throughout the agricultural season, contributing to Morocco’s broader goals of enhancing agricultural productivity, rural development, and national food security.
In addition, the subsidies are expected to strengthen the domestic seed industry by incentivizing certified seed production and marketing, while also ensuring that imported seeds meet strict quality standards. The combination of technical requirements, financial support, and monitoring measures represents a comprehensive approach to supporting Morocco’s agricultural sector during a critical season.
