Morocco’s Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Ministry in charge of the budget have decided to cease irrigation subsidies on the cultivation of avocado, watermelon, and citrus fruit.
A joint resolution to this end was signed by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Rural Development, water, and Forests Mohamed Sadiki and the Minister Delegate to the Ministry of Economy and Finance in charge of the budget, Fouzi Lakjaa.
“The crops that are not eligible for support for the localized irrigation projects stipulated in the second paragraph of Article 6 of the joint decision are: avocado trees, new citrus trees, and red watermelons,” indicated the first article of the resolution.
The second article of the resolution stipulates that the decision applies to grant applications for local irrigation projects submitted from July 11, 2022.
Several Moroccan environmental associations, including Morocco Environment 2050, have been pleading for the Moroccan government to end the cultivation of watermelon and avocado, one of the most water-intensive crops, as the country is currently facing its worst drought in over three decades.
Source: moroccoworldnews.com