Senegal/Sefrou: olive growing, a key driver of local economic development

Olive growing in the province of Sefrou stands out as one of the most dynamic and buoyant agricultural sectors in the local economy. In addition to playing an active role in the region's socio-economic development, it generates a multitude of employment opportunities, both direct and indirect, and supports numerous players in the value chain.

The region's natural assets, starting with a climate and soil that are particularly favorable to olive growing, make it a veritable breeding ground for this activity. The presence of highly qualified growers also contributes to the richness and quality of the harvests, guaranteeing optimum yields every season.

According to the Provincial Department of Agriculture, the province of Sefrou is equipped with 25 modern olive-pressing units, spread across its territory, with an impressive processing capacity of 700 tonnes of olives per day. This infrastructure enables us to respond effectively to demand and make the most of local harvests.

The olive harvest season begins each year in November and can extend right through to the end of December. This period is all the more favorable as it coincides with Sefrou's proximity to the major cities of Fez and Meknes, thus facilitating the marketing of olives and their by-products.

Mohamed Bendriss El Amraoui, Head of the Project Execution Department at the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture, recently told MAP that the area planted with olive trees in Sefrou totals 31,500 hectares, or almost 27% of the province's arable land. Of this, around 25,300 hectares are arable land, while 5,800 hectares are irrigated, representing 18% of the total area.

Olive production this year is expected to reach 27,300 tonnes, up 15% on the previous year. At the same time, annual olive oil production could reach 4,000 tonnes, a significant achievement, thanks in particular to favourable climatic conditions, marked by early rainfall which improved the quality of the olives. These optimal conditions enable high oil yields, which can reach between 18 and 20% for irrigated olive trees.

Mr. Amraoui highlighted the government's sustained efforts, as part of the Green Morocco Plan, to boost the olive-growing sector in Sefrou. Since 2010, almost 3,500 hectares of olive trees have been planted, with an average of 350 hectares per year. These initiatives are continuing with the construction of new modern crushing units and targeted support for small farmers.

Farmers benefit from subsidies for the purchase of agricultural equipment and drip irrigation systems, with financial aid covering up to 100% of installation costs. For the planting of olive trees, subsidies of 5,000 dirhams per irrigated hectare are granted, while planting on virgin land receives a subsidy of 3,500 dirhams per hectare. In addition, subsidies for the construction and equipment of crushing units can cover up to 10% of costs, with a ceiling of 2 million dirhams.

Olive oil exports are also encouraged, with a subsidy of 2 dirhams per liter exported, boosting the competitiveness of local producers on international markets.

Taken together, these efforts demonstrate the authorities' determination to strengthen the place of olive growing in Sefrou's economic landscape, while providing producers with the tools they need to meet market challenges and increasingly stringent quality requirements.

Source: www.msn.com/