Morocco streamlines $145 million aid to livestock farmers in record time

Thursday 13 November 2025 - 07:50

By: Dakir Madiha

Morocco streamlines $145 million aid to livestock farmers in record time

Morocco’s Agriculture Minister Ahmed Bouari has announced a groundbreaking achievement in agricultural subsidies, with the government transferring MAD 1.45 billion ($145 million) directly to over 352,000 livestock farmers in just five days. This initiative marks a significant shift towards efficiency and equity in distributing aid to the agricultural sector.

Speaking before the House of Representatives during a session on the 2026 budget, Bouari detailed how the payments, dispersed between November 5 and 10, were allocated to support animal feed and the preservation of female sheep and goats. The new system replaces the traditional practice of distributing aid through physical goods such as barley, which often led to inequalities.

A fairer and faster system

Under the old system, the government spent around MAD 1 billion ($107 million) annually on distributing animal feed and barley. However, this approach created disparities, with some farmers receiving disproportionate shares while others were left underserved. The introduction of direct payments aims to rectify these inequities, ensuring greater transparency and precision.

The ministry has processed 715,000 applications through its support fund, with 60% of applicants receiving confirmation of eligibility via text messages. Payments have already been credited to 488,000 bank accounts. Bouari highlighted the efficiency of the new system, stating, “We achieved in five days what used to take an entire year.”

This shift relies on a comprehensive registration system for farmers and their livestock, allowing targeted assistance. “Ninety percent of beneficiaries are small-scale farmers, whether in the mountains or the plains,” Bouari noted, emphasizing the unprecedented level of governance in this initiative.

Drought and water scarcity reshape priorities

Morocco is grappling with its seventh consecutive year of drought, which has significantly impacted water reserves and forced the government to prioritize human consumption over agricultural needs. Major cities such as Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech, and Settat have been affected by redirected water supplies.

“There can be no agriculture without water,” Bouari stated, acknowledging the challenges posed by the country’s insufficient investments in drinking water infrastructure. Currently, the agricultural sector uses only 420 million cubic meters of water for irrigation, a fraction of the 5 billion cubic meters it requires.

The water crisis has already led to significant changes in Morocco’s agricultural landscape. Citrus growers, for instance, have uprooted 35,000 hectares of trees due to water shortages. Despite these setbacks, Bouari projects a 55% increase in citrus production this year, with 125,000 hectares under cultivation.

Resilience amid challenges

Despite the drought’s impact, Morocco’s markets remain well-supplied, largely due to the success of the Green Morocco Plan. The country is expected to produce 2 million tons of olives this year, eliminating the need for imports. Bouari also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to seawater desalination projects, which are essential for ensuring long-term food and water security.

“We work within a coherent government framework, with a vision extending to 2050,” Bouari said. “Those who don’t control their food don’t control their decisions.”