The final production of the three main cereals for the 2020-2021 crop season is estimated at nearly 103.2 million quintals (Mqx) against 32.1 Mqx in 2019-2020, an increase of 221% compared to the previous crop year, said the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests.
This production is the result of an area of 4.35 million hectares sown with main cereals, practically similar to that of the previous year (+0.3%), said the ministry in a press release, adding that with this “very good” cereal harvest, the initial growth estimates for the entire agricultural sector should be confirmed with a forecast agricultural value added of 130 billion dirhams for the year 2021, i.e. a growth of over 18%, mirroring a stronger resilience of the agricultural sector.
The average output stood at 23.7qx/Ha, up 320% compared to the previous year, noted the same source. By species, cereal production is made of soft wheat (50.6 Mqx), durum wheat (24.8 Mqx) and barley (27.8 Mqx). The 2020-2021 crop year was distinguished by a good temporal distribution of rainfall and an occurrence of key stages of cereal development (tillering, bolting and filling), the ministry said.
In some regions, the harvest obtained exceeded initial forecasts, particularly north of Oum Errabia. The 2020-2021 crop year is historically the second best campaign after that of 2014-2015 despite rainfall comparable to a normal campaign.
This testifies to the technical progress made in the cultivation of cereals thanks in particular to the dissemination of genetic progress, the result of the use of certified seeds, the mechanization of cultivation operations and the introduction of new production and soil conservation technologies like direct sowing.
