A representative of the Chamber of Agriculture and irrigation associations in the Faija area, Zagora province, launched an urgent appeal to the Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Waters and Forests, as well as the Provincial Governor, for a rapid intervention in order to compensate the farmers affected by the storm which struck the region a week ago.
According to this request, consulted by Yabiladi, affected operators called for urgent measures to mitigate the effects of the violent storm which struck several areas of the province, in particular the regions of Bouzgar, Regab Ntel and Tagourt in Faija, belonging to the town of Ternata.
The storm, accompanied by heavy rains and hailstones, damaged most of the crops, those of dates (date trees), various types of squash, as well as watermelon, up to 80%. The losses also touched cereal crops such as wheat and barley, in addition to those summer market gardening.
The damage also concerned the entire harvest of tomatoes, in addition to a sudden judgment of receipt of requests for support, which aggravated the situation of farmers. Some farms have also perished, in addition to damaged henna crops, as well as solar panels used in irrigation systems. Other farmers have also recorded significant losses in fodder crops, forcing them to buy food in difficult economic conditions.
The affected parties stressed that this natural disaster has left considerable social and economic impacts, requiring urgent and effective intervention to ensure the continuity of agricultural activities and protect the livelihoods of hundreds of rural families in Faja.
