Open Forum: Consequences of the livestock crisis in Morocco, issues and challenges to be met

By El Mostapha BAHRI, Consultant Economist

Recurring droughts for six years, constantly increasing prices of livestock feed, the fallout from the COVID 19 pandemic, energy prices and their impact on production costs and the standardized methods of intervention of the administration to support this sector, are all elements combined with others which are behind the high cost of red meat.

Moreover, the president of the National Association of Red Meat Producers has sounded the alarm on this situation which could compromise the future of this activity.[1].

It is in this context that the Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests held two working meetings on Tuesday, August 6, with the interprofessional organizations of the red meat and milk sectors. The objective was to discuss the measures necessary to maintain the balance of these sectors and strengthen food sovereignty in a difficult context of drought.[2].

This also involves the development of resilient fodder crops, particularly sorghum, the regulation of artificial insemination, the importation and sale of seeds, the development of the production of more productive mixed breeds, the protection of female sheep and cattle, and the establishment of a regulatory framework for cattle and sheep fattening units.[3].

Reading these measures, everything seems to reassure both breeders and consumers. However, the implementation of these measures is the real problem. Indeed, most of the programs set up by the various governments have only benefited one category of beneficiaries. It is always the same large breeders and/or farmers who benefit from the support.[4] while the small ones remain on the margins and receive crumbs and in most cases, they do not get any support; knowing that it is traditional agriculture that provides a living for the majority of the rural population and concerns about 80% of cultivated land. The consequences of this type of support, which has never reached the weakest link in the chain, namely the small farmer, has led to the reduction of the national dairy herd by 40%, according to a specialist in the sector[5] ; especially since dairy farmers with between 2 and 10 cows found themselves forced to sell their animals. Only large, well-structured structures resisted this situation.

This dualism that characterizes Moroccan agriculture and therefore livestock farming has led to great economic and social disparity. It has contributed to the accentuation of inequalities between the different regions of the country, as well as between small farmers and large ones. The consequences of this situation are the consecration of a two-speed agriculture and livestock farming, with significant impacts on the economic, social and territorial development of the country, particularly at the level of small farmers and livestock farmers.

In Morocco, all farmers engage in parallel with agriculture, raising a flock of sheep that they maintain during the slack periods between seasons. These flocks serve as a stock exchange in case of need for liquidity, farmers sell one or two sheep to quickly have liquid agent.

Furthermore, the breeders’ federations and professional associations, which were supposed to play an important role in the development of the livestock sector, defend the interests of a category of breeders and small farmers do not seem to be one of their concerns, given their absence from all official meetings. No one listens to the grievances of small farmers and breeders, who are disconnected and under-informed, or even not informed at all.

Even the federations and professional associations that attend official meetings face real problems and several limitations restrict their action and effectiveness. These include the weakness of their organizational capacities, the limits of their financial resources, the weak coordination with government authorities, their limited access to training and information and the low participation of its members in meetings.

Faced with the high price of meat, some economists have called for “support for awareness programs aimed at consumers on the importance of following a balanced and diversified diet, including alternatives to animal proteins.”[6]. » They also proposed an “action plan aimed at improving national red meat productivity, rationally using natural resources, stabilizing prices, and contributing to the achievement of food sovereignty.” The problem also remains the implementation of these recommendations.

It should be recalled in this context that the broad outlines of the Green Morocco Plan are structured around several ideas confirming the fact that agriculture must be the main engine of growth of the national economy, with colossal impacts in terms of GDP growth, job creation, exports and the fight against poverty.

Although the result is positive in terms of agricultural GDP and exports, it remains the case that when it comes to employment and the fight against poverty, all the figures confirm a critical situation.

Indeed, as far as GDP is concerned, the BAM report[7] indicated that after the launch of the Green Morocco Plan, agricultural activity showed a clear improvement, approaching an average annual growth of 7.5% between 2008 and 2017, significantly higher than that of the overall GDP which only grew by 3.8%.

Similarly, as regards agricultural exports, these reached during the year 2019[8] a value of nearly 40 billion dirhams, or 2.8 times the value recorded during the year 2009 (14.2 billion dirhams). In terms of volume, Moroccan agricultural exports reached approximately 2.3 million tonnes during the year 2019, thus recording a growth of around 64% compared to the year 2009 (1.4 million tonnes).

However, and regarding employment, the same body (BAM, mentioned above) has drawn up a clear assessment of the labour market in Morocco. The massive job losses recorded in recent years in agriculture (between 2018 and 2023) have reached 816,000 jobs. These losses have mainly benefited low-productivity tertiary activities, unlike many countries where the decline in agricultural employment has benefited the secondary sector.

The same observation was made with regard to the fight against poverty. Indeed, the High Commission for Planning (HCP) revealed in a note published in October 2022 that approximately 3.2 million additional people have fallen into poverty (1.15 million) or vulnerability (2.05 million) under the combined effects of the health crisis linked to covid-19 and inflation. Nearly 45% of this deterioration in poverty and vulnerability is due to the effect of the pandemic and 55% to the effect of rising consumer prices. Nearly seven years of progress towards the elimination of poverty and vulnerability have been lost, notes the same source. In 2022, Morocco finds itself with the level of poverty and vulnerability of 2014[9].

Finally, one of the ideas of MAROC Vert was to enshrine the fact that agriculture must be for all, without exclusion, through a differentiated strategy adapted to each type of actor, breaking with the classic conception distinguishing between modern agriculture and social agriculture and taking into consideration the diversity of actors and their intrinsic and socio-economic constraints.

Is this the case after more than 15 years of implementing this agricultural sector strategy?

In conclusion, the current situation of the livestock sector in Morocco, exacerbated by climatic, economic and health challenges, highlights the limits of public policies put in place to support this vital sector. Although several measures have been proposed to stabilize the red meat and milk sectors, their implementation remains problematic, particularly for small farmers who continue to find themselves on the margins of the support provided. The persistent dualism between large and small agriculture further widens economic and social inequalities, thus compromising the equitable development of the sector and further spreading poverty in rural areas with all the consequences on the rural exodus.

The success of future strategies will depend on the ability to integrate all stakeholders in the sector, strengthen the governance mechanisms of federations, professional associations, agricultural cooperatives and associations of small farmers and breeders, and ensure a more equitable distribution of resources and support. In addition, readjustments of the Green Morocco Plan seem necessary to adjust approaches and respond to current realities, characterized by the effects of climate change. It is essential to promote inclusive and sustainable agriculture, capable of guaranteeing food sovereignty while reducing regional and social disparities and preserving consumers’ purchasing power, which is deteriorating day by day. This is how Moroccan agriculture can truly become an engine of growth for all stakeholders.

[1] The 360 ​​of 07/12/2024.

[2] https://www.mapexpress.ma/

[3] https://lematin.ma/

[4] The New Tribune of 08/11/2024.

[5] Talk to a veterinarian.

[6] The League of Istiqlal Economists, electronic newspaper Rue 20, August 4, 2024,

[7] https://fr.le360.ma/from 07/30/2024.

[8] https://www.agriculture.gov.ma/

[9] https://lematin.ma/from October 13, 20222.