Speaking at the opening of the 3rd meeting on Agriculture, the minister said that agricultural production increased to 32 million tonnes in 2009, i.e. a 37% rise compared to 2005.
   He added that the production of olives was doubled, reaching 1.5 million tonnes, and that of citrus fruit increased by 15% (1.4 million tonnes).
    Cereal production of the current agriculture year is expected to reach 80 million quintals, Akhannouch said.
    Investment in the agricultural sector reached 10.5 billion dirhams, he noted, emphasizing the support and mobilization of national and international actors (Belgium, the World Bank, and Japan International Cooperation Agency) in this regard.
    Initiated by the Agriculture Ministry under the theme “Consolidated Agriculture: focus on quality,” this meeting brings together several government members, institutional partners, traders and professionals in the agricultural sector in Morocco and abroad.
   It is an opportunity to highlight the importance of a consolidated agriculture in the development of a quality production with high value added, which plays fully its social and economic roles.