Ahmed El Bouari calls for enhancing the resilience of the grain supply chain to face drought and market fluctuations.
During the opening of a national seminar on ways to boost domestic production and achieve food sovereignty, the minister emphasized the urgent need for effective mechanisms to ensure sustainable production. He noted that the grain sector is faced with increasing challenges, including consecutive years of drought and ongoing disruptions in international markets.
El Bouari highlighted that this approach aligns with the royal directives of King Mohammed VI, which prioritize food security in national policies through the establishment of a comprehensive strategic stock system and the reinforcement of food sovereignty.
The government official pointed out that the grain supply chain is a fundamental pillar of food security and is crucial for the stability of rural areas. He reminded attendees that it has consistently received attention in public policies, whether through the Green Morocco Plan or the Generation Green Strategy, which focuses on sustainability and improving yield and quality of crops.
In this context, El Bouari outlined a series of integrated measures, including support for agricultural scientific research, the development of improved varieties, the expansion of the use of certified seeds, the adoption of direct sowing techniques, and the enhancement of irrigation capacity and storage capabilities, as well as improvements in marketing chain organization.
He also mentioned measures to stabilize the market by regulating the marketing of grains and establishing reference prices that incentivize domestic production while ensuring a stable supply of markets.
Despite these efforts, the minister stressed that current challenges necessitate enhancing the efficiency of the existing model, highlighting that the goal is to build a more resilient and competitive grain supply chain capable of improving farmers’ incomes and ensuring sustainable production.
He concluded by emphasizing that the seminar serves as an opportunity for exchanging experiences and formulating practical solutions, underscoring that the framework agreement related to the collection of soft wheat production represents a significant step toward market organization and improving the marketing of domestic production, within a partnership between the public and private sectors, noting that the success of this initiative relies on the engagement of all stakeholders through a participatory approach.
