Government's Response to Severe Drought
In a recent address in Aïn El-Jouhara Sidi Boukhalkhal near Tiflet, Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch staunchly defended the government's decision to import sheep, labeling this action as an essential response to a series of unprecedented years marked by severe drought conditions. Speaking to a gathering of party members, Akhannouch provided a detailed overview of the government's performance in the Khémisset province and took significant time to counter criticism regarding the livestock sector, particularly concerning accusations of political opportunism.
Akhannouch articulated that the ongoing discussions surrounding red meat prices and the sheep livestock industry often overlook Morocco's unique climatic adversities. He criticized those who assess the situation under the assumption that agricultural conditions are typical, emphasizing that, as the Eid al-Adha holiday approached two years ago, the government faced a critical dilemma: either cancel the sacrificial tradition or import sheep from abroad. He highlighted this as a historic intervention for the Kingdom, driven solely by the severe structural challenges faced by Moroccan pastoralists due to water shortages.
Implementation of Sheep Import Initiative
To facilitate this initiative, the government established a direct subsidy program that allocated 500 dirhams for each imported sheep. Akhannouch noted that domestic businesses lacked prior experience in this specialized trade; thus, every shipment underwent stringent verification processes, particularly at customs, to qualify for public support. This operation resulted in the successful importation of nearly 800,000 sheep ahead of the religious holiday, with additional importations continuing to bolster the national herd's replenishment efforts.
As the climatic situation deteriorated and livestock losses reached alarming levels, prompting concerns about herd restoration, a royal decree was issued to suspend the sacrificial practice for that year to protect the remaining livestock. Following a return of rainfall the subsequent season, the government initiated a direct financial support program benefiting approximately 1.2 million sheep farmers, managed collaboratively by the ministries of Agriculture, Interior, and Finance, which included a comprehensive census and verification mechanism.
Addressing speculation surrounding his involvement in commercial import contracts, Akhannouch dismissed any suggestions that he acted as an importer. He emphasized that the citizens have directly benefited from the government's stabilization policies while the national livestock sector entered a phase of recovery. Furthermore, he responded to proposals for a parliamentary inquiry into the sheep import operations, stating that cabinet ministers are fully prepared to present themselves before lawmakers and provide any necessary documentation. Although he acknowledged that some minor irregularities might have occurred, he reaffirmed that the government succeeded in its primary goal of preserving the national herd during these extreme conditions.
In addition to discussing the livestock sector, Akhannouch reviewed the broader developmental achievements in Khémisset province, indicating that nearly 10 billion dirhams have been invested in the healthcare system, which has financed the construction and enhancement of several regional hospitals. He highlighted the government's increased investments in road infrastructure, educational institutions, and industrial zones aimed at creating job opportunities for local youth. Akhannouch reiterated the urgent need for more sustained capital inflows into the region and expressed confidence in the province's long-term economic prospects, citing the active engagement of foreign investors, several of whom have already established operations in the area.
As reported by middle-east-online.com.
