Union Raises Alarm on Rising Fuel Prices Affecting Agriculture
The Professional Union of the Agricultural Sector and Agricultural Equipment in the Fès-Meknès region has expressed significant concern and dissatisfaction regarding the ongoing increase in fuel prices, particularly diesel. The union regards these continuous hikes as a heavy burden on farmers and professionals within the sector, especially small-scale farmers who are the most affected.
In a statement shared with Telquel Arabic, the union highlighted that farmers are currently facing escalating challenges due to the substantial rise in production costs. Diesel is a key component for operating various agricultural machinery, including tractors, irrigation pumps, and transport vehicles. This situation has exacerbated financial burdens, particularly for small and medium-sized farmers, threatening the sustainability of agricultural activities and negatively impacting the sector's productivity.
The Professional Union criticized what it described as an unbalanced fuel pricing policy, pointing out that prices increase by one dirham or more at the time of a hike but only decline minimally, often by mere cents, during reductions. This raises questions about the transparency of pricing mechanisms and whether they consider the interests of production sectors, particularly agriculture.
The union also expressed astonishment over the exclusion of the agricultural sector, particularly machinery and equipment owners, from the fuel subsidies available to other sectors such as transportation, despite agriculture's strategic importance in ensuring national food security.
Moreover, the union indicated that the current situation intensifies pressure on farmers, particularly in dryland farming associated with cereal and legume production, which already suffers from low productivity and climate fluctuations, alongside recurring years of drought, putting a significant number of farmers at risk of halting production.
The union called for urgent intervention from relevant authorities to find practical solutions to alleviate the burden on farmers, demanding a review of fuel prices or direct support for agricultural professionals, similar to that provided to other production sectors. Additionally, it stressed the need for exceptional measures to support small and medium-sized farmers to ensure their continuity in the sector.
Furthermore, the union urged farmers to unite and engage in collective actions to defend their rights, preparing for the upcoming May 1st event as an opportunity to voice their demands.
As reported by ar.telquel.ma.
