The fig sector in Taounate plays an essential role in the region’s economic development and in the improvement of the population's living conditions. 40% of fig tree acreage in Morocco is in Taounate, where an estimated 1.7 million trees grow over 21,820 hectares. Annual production is around 30,000 tons, 23% of national production. Mohamed Errahouti, Head of Fruit Tree Projects at the DPA (Provincial Department of Agriculture) says that the Minster of Agriculture and fishing has set up a strategy to develop the fig sector and increase production and quality.
He explained that the strategy is based on increasing planted acreage (4.413 million DH has been granted to increase over 2,100 hectares) and introducing varieties known for their high production in terms of quantity and quality as well as modernising the sector (eg. 10 modern drying units and other local initiatives). A pilot project has also been announced aiming to better integrate women in economic development as part of the Millennium Challenge Account.
The French Development Agency has reserved 4.52 million DH of investments to improve harvest conditions, fresh fig commercialisation and upgrading drying units in Bouhouda, Bouadel and Sidi El Mekhfi.
Mr Errahouti also underlined the challenges and restrictions that are slowing down the sector’s development (such as fig trees getting older). He explains that over half of the acreage was planted over 20 years ago and about 6,100 hectares of fig orchards are made up of trees aged between 11-20 years.