Morocco ends subsidies for the cultivation of citrus, watermelon, and avocado

Moroccan water experts realize that Morocco exports water contained in tomatoes, watermelons, strawberries or oranges; water, which the country itself lacks. In a country that is struggling with severe drought, this is really unacceptable, warn Moroccan scientists, environmentalists and associations. They point to the consequences of water-intensive horticulture that is mainly focused on exports instead of self-sufficiency in the country. A recent government decision is in line with this. Signed by the Agriculture and Budget Ministers and published on September 22, it ends subsidies for the cultivation of citrus, watermelon and avocado, which have been criticized for their role in the dehydration of certain regions. The subsidies will be abolished. In concrete terms, it will no longer be possible to receive aid for investments in local irrigation: digging wells, pumps, drip installations, etc. The goal: to stop expanding the irrigated areas of these crops ...