Cumulative rainfall is down but remains higher than in the previous season

The temporal distribution of rainfall was characterised by a delay in rains at the start of the season and an early cessation of rains after the 3rd dekad of February, according to the Ministry.

 

This agricultural season has seen a significant water deficit, and the major dams have recorded low filling rates, particularly in the Haouz and Tadla regions, the Ministry points out, noting that apart from the Gharb and Loukkos regions where irrigation has continued normally, the other major perimeters have suffered restrictions or even a halt to irrigation.

 

As far as temperatures are concerned, this season has been marked by significant variability in minimum and maximum temperatures, leading to disruptions in crop production cycles, particularly for tomatoes in February and cereals in March and April, according to the Ministry in its report on the 2022-2023 agricultural season.

 

This crop year is part of a climatic sequence of 5 difficult years, marked by a succession of dry years (4 out of the last 5 years), noting that the vegetation index for this year is well below average.