The outlook for 1996 winter grains is favourable reflecting adequate cumulative precipitation since the beginning of the growing season. However, timely rains will be needed during the remainder of the growing season to prevent a decline in yields.
Following favourable weather in 1995, the production of wheat almost doubled to 1.4 million tons, after two successive years of below-average harvest. The increase in barley output was more pronounced and almost tripled to 700 000 tons.
Wheat imports, including semolina, in 1995/96 (July/June) are currently forecast at 4.2 million tons, a decrease of some 0.6 million tons from the previous year. Coarse grain imports, mainly barley and maize, are expected to drop by 150 000 tons to 1.7 million tons.
Wheat and barley crops, due for harvest from May, are reported to be in normal condition and main farming activities are progressing on schedule.
The production of wheat in 1995 is estimated at 5.7 million tons, which was sharply higher than the previous year. Maize production increased for the second consecutive year to 5.5 million tons as a result of an increase in area planted. Production of barley in 1995 almost tripled to 368 000 tons, also due to a sharp increase in area planted.
The imports of wheat and wheat flour in 1995/96 (July/June) is forecast to decrease by some 200 000 tons to 6 million tons. Coarse grain imports, mainly maize, are expected to decrease by 250 000 tons to 2.5 million tons.
Scattered mature adults of Desert Locusts were present in January at several locations along the southern coastal plains of the Red Sea and in adjacent interior areas.
Below-normal rainfall from September to November was followed by heavy precipitation which caused severe flooding at the end of January, particularly in the provinces of Tetouan and El Jadida where a total of some 20 000 hectares of agricultural land were submerged.
Some casualties and damage to crops and infrastructure have been reported. However, the rains increased the level of the country's water reservoirs to 4.3 billion cubic meters from 3.0 billion cubic meters last year when the country suffered record drought. The area sown to cereals in 1995/96 is estimated to be above average at 5.5 million hectares.
Following a prolonged drought in 1995, production of cereals fell to 1.9 million tons, the lowest for 30 years. The production of wheat was estimated at some 1.1 million tons, only one-fifth of the record harvest in 1994 whilst output of barley was only 16 percent of the previous year's output of 3.7 million tons.
In May 1995 the Government implemented a number of measures to alleviate the effects of drought. These include: increased imports of cereal for human and animal use, provision of adequate supply of drinking water for both rural and urban areas, vaccination of livestock, creation of job opportunities in rural areas, as well as measures to reschedule farmers' debts.
Wheat imports in 1995/96 (July/June) are forecast to more than double to 3.0 million tons whereas the import of coarse grains is forecast to increase to 850 000 tons, some 300 000 tons more than the previous year.
Control operations against late instar hopper bands of new adult Desert Locusts were undertaken in January in the extreme south-west of the country.
Prospects for the wheat and barley crops due for harvest from June are favourable, following above-normal rainfall. Pasture conditions are reported to be satisfactory, particularly in central and southern parts of the country. The area sown to cereals is estimated at 1.7 million hectares, an increase of 0.5 million hectares over the previous year.
The output of cereals in 1995 fell sharply due to persistent dry weather for the second successive year. Production of wheat and barley is estimated at 0.47 million tons and 0.11 million tons, respectively, which is considerably lower than normal and even below poor production in 1994.
To alleviate the effects of drought on farmers, the Government has decided to increase the producer prices of durum wheat by Dinar 15 to Dinar 275 (U.S.$ 267) per ton and that of soft wheat by the same amount to Dinar 240 (U.S.$ 233) per ton. Farmers can also buy imported barley at a subsidized price of Dinar 140 (U.S.$ 136) per ton. In addition a rescheduling of farmers debts for a period up to five years with interest payments by the state has been implemented for the second consecutive year.
Wheat imports in 1995/96 (July/June) are estimated at 1.4 million tons, similar to last year�s above-average level. Coarse grain imports are forecast at 0.9 million tons, unchanged from the previous year.