Ahmed El Bouari: We are working on a comprehensive program to support livestock breeders and increase the productivity of the national herd
The Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, Water, and Forests, Ahmed El Bouari, confirmed yesterday, Monday, during a session at the House of Representatives, that the ministry is preparing an ambitious and integrated program for the 2025-2026 season, aimed at supporting livestock breeders and increasing the productivity of the national herd.
In response to an oral question regarding support for small livestock breeders posed by the Authenticity and Modernity Party during the session, El Bouari highlighted that this program will provide opportunities for herd reproduction and enable a gradual return to better levels in the coming years. He added that solidarity agriculture is a key focus of this program through animal production projects in which the government covers the total investment costs.
He affirmed that small and medium-sized farmers are at the heart of the Green Generation strategy, through various completed programs and projects, as well as the extent of support directed to this group, emphasizing that 80% of livestock breeders are small-scale farmers managing fewer than 30 heads of sheep and goats.
In this context, the minister mentioned that more than 500,000 breeders have benefited from the distribution of subsidized feed, the majority of whom are smallholder farmers. Additionally, most of them benefit from free veterinary health campaigns, during which approximately 17 million heads of sheep and goats were vaccinated.
He stressed that 70% of the total incentives and direct aid provided through the Agricultural Development Fund have benefited small enterprises, including small livestock breeders.
