Morocco expects to increase its production of Navel oranges this season, which it mainly exports. According to Le360, despite the unfavorable weather conditions, the production of Navel oranges should reach 159,000 tons in the 2021-2022 harvest.
In total, citrus production in the irrigated perimeter of Moulouya should reach a volume of about 460,000 tons, i.e. 10% more than in the previous campaign, according to statistics from the Regional Directorate of Agriculture.
The area cultivated with citrus fruits in the irrigated perimeter of Moulouya reached 21,600 hectares this year, accounting for 17% of the areas dedicated to the same crops at the national level.
Citrus cultivation
In addition, the citrus sector in the Berkane region has made great strides in the field of controlled irrigation in recent years, with an area equipped with drip irrigation that currently accounts for 80% of the total area.
Citrus cultivation has a very positive impact on the local and national economy, accounting for 23% of the total value of plant production. In addition, citrus products account for 57% of the total volume of products of plant origin destined for foreign markets.
“Despite the low rate of rainfall and the lack of water from the dams and other water resources, the efforts made by authorities and farmers have made it possible to increase the region’s production yield in the 2020-2021 period from 18 tons per hectare to 22 tons,” Le360 stated.
