Casablanca – Morocco has significantly expanded its support for livestock breeders and agricultural production, allocating billions of dollars to safeguard the national herd and ensure a stable supply of essential crops. These initiatives form part of a broader government strategy to strengthen food security, stabilize market prices, and enhance the productivity of the agricultural sector.

Ahmed El Bouari, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests, announced that 977,000 livestock breeders have benefited from direct financial support totaling $460 million. The assistance aims to preserve Moroccan livestock breeds, particularly the Sardi breed, and support the restructuring of the national herd.

“The goal of these programs is to protect our livestock breeds, enhance domestic meat production, and maintain a stable supply to the national market,” El Bouari said during a weekly session of oral questions at the House of Councillors. He noted that stakeholders across the feed sector are fully committed to supporting these initiatives.

Integrated support program for livestock breeders

The ministry has launched an ambitious, integrated program with a total budget of $1.32 billion for 2025–2026. The program provides direct financial support to breeders for purchasing feed, safeguards breeding females, and includes debt rescheduling measures for livestock farmers. It also encompasses vaccination campaigns and technical guidance to improve breeding practices and livestock productivity.

Since its launch in May, the program has achieved substantial progress, including the registration of 32.8 million livestock and the creation of a comprehensive database of 1.2 million breeders. The government has completed livestock tagging for 25 million animals, representing 92% of the counted herd, ensuring that only registered and tagged animals are eligible for financial support.

More than 1.1 million breeders have had their support applications processed, representing over 92% of registered breeders, with $460 million disbursed to 977,000 beneficiaries in under a month. The ministry has established a call center and local committees to handle complaints and monitor applications, ensuring transparency and prompt responses.

Boosting vegetable and crop production

Alongside livestock support, the government has prioritized high-demand vegetable production, allocating 100,000 hectares of farmland to ensure consistent national supply. In total, around 5 million hectares have been programmed for major autumn crops, focusing on cereals, while sugar crops continue to receive support, covering 61,000 hectares.

To facilitate cultivation, the ministry has provided 1.5 million quintals of certified seeds, including 1.2 million quintals from SONACOS at subsidized prices, alongside 650,000 tons of nitrogen fertilizers at the same rates as last season. These measures aim to reduce input costs for farmers and boost agricultural productivity.

Navigating challenges in the new agricultural season

The current agricultural season faces challenges from initial rainfall shortages and successive years of drought, which have affected water availability. Despite these constraints, the sector has recorded approximately 6% growth compared to the previous season, reflecting resilience and the effectiveness of government support measures.

El Bouari emphasized that the combined initiatives—direct support for breeders, livestock registration and tagging, and the expansion of vegetable and crop programs—are designed to stabilize food supply, protect consumer purchasing power, and strengthen Morocco’s agricultural infrastructure.

The government’s strategy highlights the growing importance of modernizing agricultural practices, improving data-driven management of livestock and crops, and ensuring that farmers have access to the necessary inputs and technical assistance. Analysts note that such measures are critical as Morocco seeks to secure its food systems amid climate variability and global market fluctuations.

By targeting both livestock and crop sectors, Morocco aims to safeguard national production, stabilize domestic prices, and reinforce food security, while supporting rural livelihoods and ensuring sustainable growth within the agricultural economy.