03 February 2012

HM the King enquires about agriculture development projects in the region of Doukkala-Abda

HM King Mohammed VI oversaw, on Tuesday in the rural commune of Mechrek (province of Sidi Bennour), the progress of several agriculture development projects for the Doukkala-Abda region, to be implemented for a total cost of 5.4 billion dirhams.
 
HM the King oversees the progress of the water saving programme for the irrigated lands in the Doukkala-Abda region, worth 5.3 billion dirhams.

- HM the King was briefed about  a fig-tree development project, to be implemented for a total cost of 42 million dirhams.

- The Sovereign was provided with details about the programme to develop local products such as honey and cumin, to be carried out for a total cost of 16.28 million dirhams.

The Sovereign was briefed about the progress of the water-saving programme for the irrigated lands in the Doukkala region, which will be completed for an amount of 5.3 billion dirhams.

Part of the Green Morocco Plan and the regional agricultural plan, the programme will be implemented over 2008-2020 and provides for the reconversion of an area of 89,700 hectares.

The programme is designed to help save water through the promotion of the “drop by drop” water-saving irrigation system over an area of 39,500 hectares.

In this respect, the department of agriculture will be tasked with modernizing the exterior irrigation network to adapt it to the drip irrigation system.

The individual reconversion, to be carried out by farmers, will stretch over 50,200 hectares.

The setting up of two pumping stations and revamping of three existing stations as well as the creation of five filtration plants are provided for in the first stage of the programme, which will benefit 3,038 farmers in the communes of Laâtatra, Ouelad Sbita, Bni Hilal, Al Gherbia and Lakhder.

The programme will bring up irrigation efficiency from 50 to 90% and will enable the creation of 600 permanent jobs. It will also contribute to the protection of the environment, the preservation of water resources and the improvement of agricultural productivity.

HM King Mohammed VI was also briefed about the 16.28-million dirham programme to develop local products, such as honey and cumin, in the region of Doukkala-Abda.

The programme is designed to promote beekeeping in the provinces of El Jadida and Safi through distributing 8,200 full hives and beekeeping material in addition to building five units for the extraction and packaging of honey, sensitizing beekeepers, and organising competitions in the province.

The 13.64-million dirham project will help boost the honey production capacity from 4.7 kilograms to 16.2 kilograms per hive which in turn will lead to boosting the beekeepers revenue from 300 to 800 dirhams per hive. This will add 226.3 tonnes to the total honey production and will create 85 permanent jobs.

The same programme earmarks 2.64 million dirhams to developing the production of cumin in the province of El Youssoufia. The project will enable a two-fold increase of the production capacity from 0.1 tonne per hectare to 0.2 tonne per hectare.

January 31, 2012

HM the King inquires about urban upgrading program of Sidi Bennour and Zemamra, worth 404.5 million dirhams

HM King Mohammed VI inquired, on Tuesday in the western town of Sidi Bennour, about the urban upgrading program of the city and that of Zemamra, worth close to 404.5 million dirhams.
 
The Sovereign inquired about drinking water supply program for rural populations in the province of Sidi Bennour, with a budget of 239 million dirhams.

HM the King launches construction works of the project to protect the town of Sidi Bennour against flooding, with a cost of 25 million dirhams.

On this occasion, explanations were provided to the Sovereign of the program, which aims at improving the living conditions of both cities’ populations, upgrading public services, restructuring the urban fabric and enhancing its attractiveness. It also seeks to create recreational areas, sports equipment and facilities for young people, and organize traffic and trucking.

The implementation of this program is in line with High royal directions to fight against malfunctions space, improve the built environment and promote public access to basic infrastructure. The aim is to meet the needs and aspirations of the populations of this region which is full of important socio-economic potential.

Mobilizing investment of 228 million dirhams, Sidi Bennour’s urban upgrading program (2011-2014) provides for the creation of a set of operations on the development and the urban facilities of Mohammed V and the FAR Boulevards, of green areas, as well as the strengthening of the road network, the burial of the electrical system, social centers’ equipment and the construction of an indoor sports hall.

Zemamra’s urban upgrading program, worth close to 176.5 million dirhams, focuses on developing the city’s crossing, the central square, roads in various districts , the municipal land and the industrial area, as well as securing the area around the main channel through the city.

This three-year program (2011-2013) also includes the construction of a sports hub with the building of a socio-sports nearby complex and a covered sports hall.

HM King Mohammed VI inquired, on the same occasion, about the drinking water supply program for rural populations in the province of Sidi Bennour, for a total cost of 239 million dirhams.

This program, which is carried out over two phases for the benefit of 121,000 people, will soar the rate of access to drinking water to 84%, which is an additional supply rate of 19%.

Benefiting 22,000 people, the first phase (2009-2012) is underway and involves investments of around 37 million dirhams, while the second phase, which is planned for the period 2012-2014, costs 202 million dirhams. The latter will benefit 99,000 people from 14 municipalities.

The Sovereign launched, thereafter, the construction works of the project to protect the town of Sidi Bennour against flooding, with a cost of 25 million dirhams.

The project, to be accomplished within ten months, will focus on the development of the eastern peripheral channel, the strengthening of M’tal channel and rehabilitation of access structures.
 
January 31, 2012