Friday, October 4, 2024 at 4:28 p.m.
Casablanca – The Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests, Mohammed Sadiki, launched, Friday in Casablanca, a reinforced and structured program for genetic improvement dairy cows, professional training and the creation of regional units to supervise breeders and milk producers.
This program aims to rebalance the sector, affected by the successive Covid-19 crises, geopolitical disruptions, as well as violent and prolonged periods of drought.
The minister proceeded, at the same time, to the signing of two agreements between his Department and the Interprofessional Federation of the dairy sector “Maroc Lait”.
The first agreement concerns the delegation of management of the regional artificial insemination center of Ain Jemaa, in Casablanca, to Maroc Lait. This center plays an important role in the production of frozen cattle semen made available to breeders nationally.
The second agreement concerns, for its part, the development of a computer system for the management of the dairy sector “SIMALAIT”, with a view to ensuring modern and computerized management of development actions in the milk sector, in particular, insemination. artificial intelligence, performance monitoring and identification of dairy farms.
Speaking on this occasion, Mr. Sadiki highlighted the importance of the program launched to restore the balance of milk production in Morocco, specifying that it is a comprehensive program covering all segments of the sector, from production to collection and control of dairy products.
Local production of productive breeds and the importation of livestock intended to quickly replenish the herd are essential to stabilizing national production and improving the livestock of breeders, he argued.
Underlining the importance of animal feed in reducing production costs and improving the profitability of dairy farms, Mr. Sadiki also announced the launch of a fodder production program in collaboration with professionals in the sector, notably “FIMALAIT”, as well as other animal production sectors.
Referring to the regional approach, the minister explained that the structuring of this program at the local and regional level will make it possible to control and encourage milk production at the regional level, to encourage regional initiatives and to ensure a distribution equitable resources and investments.
For his part, the president of Maroc Lait, Rachid Khatate indicated that the signed agreements aim to strengthen the mechanisms of the dairy sector program contract, a strategic plan already supported by eight previous agreements.
“The main objective is to upgrade the infrastructure to produce up to 50% of the doses needed for artificial insemination of dairy cows directly in Morocco. This approach aims to reduce dependence on imports and strengthen national sovereignty in this sector,” he continued.
Regarding the IT system for managing the dairy sector “SIMALAIT”, Mr. Khatlate affirmed that this new platform will allow more efficient management of resources and processes in the sector, thus contributing to improving yields and ensuring better traceability of production and field operations.
During this meeting held at the Zoopôle of Ain jemâa (Nouaceur), the minister took note of the progress of the implementation of the dairy sector program contract concluded between the government and Maroc Lait for the period 2021- 2030 as part of the Generation Green strategy, signed on May 4, 2023 on the sidelines of the 15th edition of the International Agricultural Show in Meknes.
He also chaired the distribution ceremony of 19 vehicles to professional agricultural organizations working in the dairy sector, affiliated with Maroc Lait, with the aim of strengthening the technical support network of milk producers, developing artificial insemination and nationwide milk control.
