Morocco’s annual dates production is expected to increase to 300,000 tons by 2030 up from 149,000 tons recorded in 2021.
According to latest data released by Moroccan ministry of agriculture, the target projected will be achieved through the implementation of the new agricultural strategy Green Generation 2020-2030.
The strategy will see planting of 5 million palm date trees, and enhancing of storage and packaging capacity. Morocco counts so far around 6.6 million palm trees spread on 51,000 hectares concentrated mainly in four regions, Tafilalet-Daraa, Souss-massa, Guelmil-Oued Noun and L’Oriental.
Green Morocco Plan
The Green Morocco Plan offers investment incentives and facilities to encourage young agricultural entrepreneurs, create jobs, increase economic opportunities in rural areas and speed up transition towards a more climate resilient agriculture.
Agriculture contributes almost 15% to Morocco’s GDP, and combined with the fishing and forestry sectors employs about 45% of Morocco’s workforce. It has an outsized impact on the economy due to highly variable rain-irrigation-based grain production, its role as an employer, and its role as a major export industry.
Morocco has recorded a significant harvest of 112,000 tons of all sorts of dates in 2017 as part of achieving the goal of reaching an annual production of 160,000 tons by 2020, up from 90,000 in 2010.
International Date Fair in Erfoud, Agriculture Minister Aziz Akhennouch said that Morocco is on track to achieve the Green Morocco Plan goals in the palm sector. He said that 1.8 million palms have been planted so far. This year’s output of 112,000 tons, down from 128,000 tons last year, is an achievement in view of the insufficient rainfall in main producing regions, he explained.
