Confronted with a multifaceted crisis — repeated droughts, collapse of livestock, soaring prices of red meat — the livestock sector in Morocco is at a decisive turning point. The Ministry of Agriculture is beginning to develop a new national strategy for the sustainable development of livestock, in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). This ambitious project is part of the “Green Generation 2020-2030” initiative.
With a budget of $137,000 allocated by the FAO under the technical cooperation program signed in October 2024, this initiative aims to lay the foundations for a modern, sustainable, and better-structured livestock sector. It includes two essential components: the development of a national roadmap for sustainable livestock development, and the establishment of a unified legal framework intended to replace outdated legislation.
The necessity for this overhaul is undeniable. Seven consecutive years of drought have ravaged pastures, forcing many breeders, particularly small and medium-sized ones, to part with their herds. The result is alarming: a collapse of 38% of the national livestock, leading to a sharp decline in animal production and an explosion in red meat prices.
In response to this hemorrhage, emergency measures have been implemented, such as the distribution of subsidies for the purchase of animal feed. However, these ad hoc responses are no longer sufficient. The challenge is now structural. It involves rethinking the entire value chain of livestock by integrating the imperatives of climate resilience, economic performance, and environmental sustainability.
The future strategy thus aims to promote livestock practices adapted to the climatic context, invest in animal genetics more resistant to drought, and encourage research and innovation in the field. A thorough regulatory review will also be conducted to harmonize texts, align national policies with international standards, and integrate the expectations of industry stakeholders.
This reform of livestock is part of a broader approach. In parallel, the ministry has initiated the revision of the 19 agricultural program contracts signed in 2023 with the inter-professions, in order to better respond to the new realities imposed by climate change and ongoing water stress. An initial phase of internal work is underway, before involving the inter-professions in redefining the objectives for 2030.
As water becomes a critical resource and agricultural models are called into question, Morocco seems determined to take control of the future of its livestock sector. The roadmap in development could very well be the cornerstone of a sustainable and intelligent renewal of the sector.
With Le Matin