Agriculture:
The agribusiness is an important sector in Morocco because it generates 15 to 20% of the GDP and employs about 40% of the workforce. This sector is considered one of the economic backbones of the Region of Guelmim Es-Smara, where the population is traditionally made of farmers and breeders.
The useful agricultural area (UAA) in the Region of Guelmim-Es-Smara is 210 000 ha including 15,000 ha of irrigated land.
The region is characterized by low rainfall due to semiarid Saharian climate. This low rainfall does not pose major problems, given the importance of underground water resources.
Agricultural products in the region comprise mainly cereals, tree cultivation and vegetable farming. Agribusiness is one of the main industries in Morocco. It is a processing industry which creates added value, which can meet domestic food needs and generates economic activity by means of exportation. Investment in food processing in the Region of Guelmim Es-Smara can be done through the development of certain sectors namely:
- Cereal processing: manufacture of semolina, pasta ...
- The manufacture of fats of animal and vegetable origin (olive oil, argan oil, butter ...)
- The manufacture of nectar and fruit juices
- The production of canned vegetables (fruit and vegetables, sweets, frozen food ...)
- Livestock production and manufacture of dairy products.
Morocco is adopting a new strategy for agriculture: the Green Morocco Plan. (PMV) This plan serves as an oriented program for agricultural development, growth driver of national economy over 10 to 15 years. This strategy focuses on the need to foster private investments, and aims to achieve projects and funding 1500 projects and fund 700 to 900 projects with a total cost of 10 to 15 billion dirhams annually. PMV :
- Encourages intensive production projects in the areas of livestock and crop production.
- Aims to upgrade the infrastructure of modern irrigation.
- Pursue improvement of the conditions setting the framework of free trade in the field of exporting agricultural products.
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