In response to a central question at the House of Representatives on "the government's strategy for the promotion of the agricultural sector in the context of the spread of the coronavirus pandemic", Akhannouch said that the period of sanitary confinement demonstrated the crucial importance of the agricultural and maritime fishing sectors, as it showed their resilience in the face of the most acute crises and their capacity to absorb shocks.

According to the minister, the two sectors have not experienced difficulties in playing their central role in maintaining a steady supply of abundant markets at affordable prices. The potential of agriculture and fisheries is the result of ten years of actions and investments within the framework of the "Green Morocco" and "Halieutis" Plans, launched under the High patronage of HM King Mohammed VI.

Referring to cereal production, he stressed that it had fallen by only about 5 percent in terms of agricultural GDP and that, despite the recorded weakness, most other agricultural sectors were in good shape.

Furthermore, Akhannouch said that despite the significant rainfall deficit recorded over the last two years, the GDP does not fall below 110 billion dirhams, noting that some regions suffer from water shortages (Souss, Al Haouz and Doukkala) due to difficult climatic conditions, lack of rainfall and lower dam reservoirs.

With regard to localized irrigation, he said that 600,000 hectares had been irrigated by the end of May, with a view to reaching 630,000 hectares by the end of this year, recalling that the "Green Morocco" plan has set the objective of irrigating 550,000 hectares by the end of the year.

Concerning Eid Al-Adha, the minister assured that all markets are open for the sale of livestock and that a guide will be distributed to make known all the preventive measures to be respected, namely disinfection, respect for physical distance and the wearing of masks.