Fez-Meknes: The 2025-2026 Agricultural Season Promises Good Prospects Following Improved Rainfall and Agricultural Practices
Indicators for the 2025-2026 agricultural season in the Fez-Meknes region point to a promising start, following several seasons marked by irregular rainfall. The notable return of precipitation, alongside the gradual development of agricultural practices, has revitalized rural activity and restored hope among farmers.
Kamal Heddan, the regional director of agriculture, confirmed that the current season marks a clear departure from the previous one. The water situation has significantly improved, creating favorable conditions for productivity to resume, alongside a structural transformation of farming systems in the area.
Rainfall measurements in the region averaged 275.7 mm, compared to 219 mm during the same period last year. Some provinces recorded higher amounts, such as Meknes with 424.4 mm and Ifrane with 350.5 mm, while areas typically more susceptible to water stress, like Boulmane, saw only 133 mm.
On the ground, these conditions have led to promising vegetation, as successive rains have aided uniform germination of late crops and promoted dense growth of early grains. The livestock sector also benefited from these circumstances, with an increase in forage mass, reducing breeders’ reliance on industrial feed and easing their burdens.
The autumn planting program indicates the achievement of approximately 78% of the targeted area, with around 618,495 hectares planted out of a goal of 790,505 hectares. Cereals account for the largest share at 519,085 hectares, mostly soft wheat, followed by food legumes and fodder crops, with completion rates of 69% and 82%, respectively, to ensure livestock feed.
This current season also reflects a strategic shift towards more resilient and sustainable farming, with a growing reliance on direct tillage techniques covering over 59,000 hectares, particularly in cereal production. Efforts are underway to diversify crops, including the introduction of rapeseed and aromatic plants, to mitigate the effects of monoculture, while irrigation continues on more than 20,000 hectares of major crops, including 12,000 hectares of grains, to address any potential water shortages in the spring.
In terms of support, regional services have established programs to provide certified seeds, high-quality raw materials, and develop winter vegetables, allocating about 9,600 hectares for crops like potatoes and onions to ensure a steady market supply.
Although agricultural authorities are cautious regarding final yields, the outlook appears positive, as regular rainfall in the spring could lead to higher grain productivity than the average of the past five years.
The impact of the current season extends beyond agricultural yields, as it boosts rural activity, creates local job opportunities, injects liquidity into the regional economy, and contributes to stabilizing farmers’ incomes. However, there remains a need to monitor plant health, manage fertilization rationally, and improve water use to ensure a sustainable and balanced agricultural season.
