Identification and planting of Cactus resistant to cochineal in Morocco

Nopal Cactus

Vegetables

Morocco

Market & Price Trends

Innovation & Technology

Published Nov 30, 2023

Tridge summary

The Moroccan government, experts, farmers, and organizations are working together to address a cochineal epidemic that has devastated cactus crops in the country since 2014. A project to restore cactus plantations in the Doukkala region, severely affected by the epidemic, has been launched with the aim of contributing to local agricultural development. The initiative involves planting resistant cactus varieties identified by the National Institute of Agronomic Research, with plans to cultivate over 500 hectares in the Oulad Frej agricultural development district.

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Original content

Following the cochineal epidemic which, since its appearance in 2014, has wiped out almost all cactus crops in Morocco, estimated at tens of thousands of hectares, competent authorities, experts, farmers and associative actors have joined hands to find a solution to this scourge. To this end, a project to reconstitute cactus plantations in the Doukkala region, the "epicenter" of this epidemic, was launched in the commune of Boulaouane, with the ambitious objective of contributing to local agricultural development. Thanks to the identification of resistant plants, the Regional Directorate of Agriculture launched, from last June, the project to reconstitute cactus plantations in the region, after they had been completely eradicated by the cochineal. Fathallah Fennich, head of the Oulad Frej agricultural development district, under the Doukkala Regional Agricultural Development Office, indicated that the project to reconstitute cactus plantations is part of the ...

Source: LOpinion